"The quality of wine through the quality of the environment."
La Raia is a biodynamic agricultural estate certified by Demeter. It is located in the heart of the Piedmontese hills of Gavi, a region with an ancient wine-growing tradition, which, thanks to a unique microclimate, favours the ripening of grapes and the production of biodynamic red and white wines.
The estate covers more than 180 hectares, of which 50 hectares are vineyards, 60 hectares are arable land, and the rest are pastures, chestnut, acacia, and elder forests that protect numerous wildlife species. The Rossi Cairo family acquired the estate in 2003 with the goal of restoring and enhancing the original ecosystem through a comprehensive project inspired by biodynamic principles.
The first step involved converting the vineyards: green manuring between the rows of vines, dynamized horn manure and barn manure to fertilize this marl soil, deep aeration, avoiding pesticides, using small amounts of copper and sulphur from quarries sprayed at specific times of the year, as well as pruning that follows the waning moon phase.
Additionally, crop rotation was reintroduced, ancient crops such as spelt and rye were revived, and eventually, livestock farming with Fassone cattle on pastures was re-established. The richness and diversity of vegetation within the estate make La Raia a true biodiversity oasis for bees and other pollinators: hence, there is a rich production of organic acacia honey, forest honey, and flower honey, all of which are used by Chef Tommaso Arrigoni for the menus of the restaurant Locanda La Raia, the relais on the estate, which received the Green MICHELIN Star in 2024.
For the winery, an ancient eco-friendly building technique called Pisé was chosen, a traditional method where untreated clay is used as a building material. This way, the estate's buildings blend harmoniously with the gentle Piedmontese hills surrounding La Raia.
Società Agricola La Raia s.s.
Strada Monterotondo 79
15067 Novi Ligure (AL)
Italia
+39 0143 743685
