If making wine is a form of art, why not turn a vineyard into an atelier?

This must have been the question that inspired the Chiarlos – renowned enologists and producers in Piedmont – to redesign on of their finest vineyards and transform it into an arti stic park. This is an imaginative journey through the landscape which, following the path dedicated to the four elements, traces out an itinerary along trails, through grapevines and among farmhouses now graced with creative installations, suggestive sculptures and works of art created “on the field” and left to live together with nature.

We're at Cascina La Court in Castelnuovo Calcea (between Asti and Alessandria), where we find an observation tower providing a view of the area's vineyards, towns and hills. From here, visitors may enjoy a 360° view of the skyline of Barbera d'Asti and its meditation areas, which host photography exhibits or craftsmanship shows on a rotating basis.

There are remarkable post-heads in raku ceramic, these reminiscent of the ancient country tradition of hanging these good-luck sculptures at the beginning of every row of crops to ward off parasites, hail and any kind of negative energy in general which could jeopardize the harvest. Then there are two farmhouses, La Court and Castello, which are located, respectively, at the beginning and the end of the path. These host shows in the barn and film festivals in the barnyard. There is also a recreation area with figures by famous Genovese arti st Emanuele Luzzati, who created large, very colourful installations here (from the fountain to the weathervane sculpure) and who, together with Giancarlo Ferraris , Rolando Carbone, Dedo Roggero Fossati and Peppino Campanella, just to name a few, helped created this little jewel in celebration of wine.

Yet this isn't only a park where visitors can stroll among vineyards and bushes of officinal herbs while learning how wine is made thanks to the guidance of farmers and enologists who who work here all year round. From time to time, Chiarlo also holds major events dedicated to professional tasters (in fact, in addition to wine, there are other typical local products, from grissini to salame cotto, from farinata to the refined Robiola di Roccaverano) and to those who simply wish to spend a leisurely evening stargazing, as was done at an event in July, which welcomed hundreds of international guests. Included on the calendar of events are a talk show, the presentation of a refined eau de toilette made with wine, a short-length movie festival and a poetry reading.

Various arti sts come on stage to entertain the guests, who lounge on bleachers made of grass, earth and grape leaves, the country stile version of an outdoor teatro di verdura.

In the company of queens, minstrels and dragons (Luzzati's favorite characters who populate the park) one can taste some of Chiarlo's finest wines, including Barbaresco, Gavi, Moscato and Barolo, also in its chinato version, an aromatic digestive and a pearl of ancient Piedmont tradition, which only a few estates continue to produce today.

Silvia Bombelli

from: www.sanpellegrino.it