Il Casello

Situated in a valley at an elevation of 250 metres, surrounded by the Piacentini Hills on the edge of Stirone National Park, Casello-Ortrugo has been a regional attraction long before its iteration a renowned vineyard, with historical figures such as Hemingway travelling to the surrounding area.

The Rigolli Family has been cultivating vineyards and producing wine since 1950.

Today, the third generation is carrying on the family’s craft with passion, using traditional methods and modern technologies, and paying attention to the environment and the community surrounding the vineyard.

Situated in a valley at an elevation of 250 metres, surrounded by the Piacentini Hills on the edge of Stirone National Park, Casello-Ortrugo has been a regional attraction long before its iteration a renown vineyard, with historical figures such as Hemingway travelling to the surrounding area. The valley is also prone to cold and wet winters, with hot and dry summers counteracting the drastic weather. This shift in seasonal temperatures has similarly been seen as an instrumental facet in helping Il Casello developing its wines, lending them their distinct aromas and flavoring.

With the vineyards first harvests originating in the 1950s for self-consumption, Il Casello would eventually start selling their wines through the Rigolli Family’s fruit and vegetable store. This would eventually lead way to the family shifting their focus towards the production of traditional Piacentini wines and their eventual success as noted wine producers in the Emilia Romagna region.

While primarily known for its wines, Casello-Ortrugo has easy access to different types of leisure activities. The beautiful Parma or Salsomaggiore Terme, ideal for fine dining and shopping, provides an alternate distraction for those seeking a change from the more viniculture inspired destination. Meanwhile, cosmopolitan Milan or the scenic Cinque Terre coastline can be reached within an hour’s drive.

Grapes

Wines

Red

  • Gutturnio Superiore, Colli Piacentini DOC (Barbera, Croatina)
  • Gutturnio Frizzante, Colli Piacentini DOC (Barbera, Croatina)
  • Gutturnio Riserva, Colli Piacentini DOC (Barbera, Croatina)
  • Croatina, Colli Piacentini DOC (Croatina)
  • Barbera IGP, (Barbera)
  • White

  • Ortrugo Frizzante, Colli Piacentini DOC (Ortrugo)
  • Malvasia Dolce, Colli Piacentini DOC (Malvasia Aromatica di Candia)
  • Malvasia Secca, Colli Piacentini DOC (Malvasia Aromatica di Candia)
  • Passito di Malvasia, Colli Piacentini DOC (Malvasia Aromatica di Candia)
  • Chardonnay Fermo IGT, (Chardonnay)
  • Rosé

  • Rosato di Pinot Nero IGT, (Pinot Nero)
  • Sparkling Wines

  • Spumante di Ortrugo, Colli Piacentini DOC (Chardonnay, Ortrugo)
  • Castello di Vigoleno

    Nothing is left to chance; everything is designed with the utmost attention to the combinations of colours, fabrics and furniture, to welcome the visitor in a family atmosphere.

    Festival Dei Tortelli – Parma

    Gola Gola Festival del Gusto – Parma

    Regional Park dello Stirone – Parma

    Castellarquato Golf Club – Loc. Terme di Bacedasco, 29014

    Terme di Salsomaggiore – Salsomaggiore

    Po cycling network

    The vineyards grow on Terre Rosse Antiche, the oldest soil in all of Emilia Romagna. The rows are arranged north-to-south to expose the grapes to the greatest amount of sunshine; from these grapes are produced the DOC wines of the Piacentini Hills: Gutturnio, Ortrugo, Malvasia, Bonarda.

  • Wine Tasting Wine tasting in the cellar with equipped room, between 10-€15 per person, all year round, with reservation.
  • Wine and food pairing Tasting of 5/6 wines accompanied by DOP products such as cheeses, deli meats, pies and gnocco fritto.
  • Old vintages tasting On request: Riserva 2011 and Passito 2009
  • Barriques wine tasting Only during the February-April period.
  • Cellar visit Visit of the production area with explanation of the production phases associated with the equipment and the seasons of the year.
  • Vineyard visit Walk in the nearby vineyard, explanation of the characteristics of the plant and the method of cultivation of the vineyards.
  • Wine tasting event Take place in the room adjacent to the cellar, with sitting area, kitchen and fireplace.
  • Cooking classes Possibility of cooking classes at the restaurant nearby.
  • When was the last time you had dinner in an Italian restaurant in Canada and you thought you were dining in Italy? That’s exactly how “Ospitalità Italiana Certified”restaurants want you to feel when you visit their fine dining establishments.

    Ospitalità Italiana is an official certification from Unioncamere, Italy’s federation of local Chambers of Commerce and Industry, that tells you that the food you are enjoying is unquestionably Italian: products are authentic, ingredients genuine and recipes true to the thousand year history of Italian cuisine.

    Canada is home to some leading Italian Chefs. Passionate and innovative, many have refined their skills and advanced their knowledge directly in Italy. In addition, Montréal boasts a fabulous cooking school ITHQ where young aspiring chefs learn Italian technic and Italian traditional recipes from the masters.

    So the next time you make reservations for an Italian dinner in a Montreal restaurant, ask if they’ve received the Ospitalità Italiana seal of approval. You will enjoy the true Italian taste.