Our farm
“We have been cultivating our passion for over 20 years for nature, animals, hospitality and art”
Situata sulle colline del Lago Trasimeno, a pochi chilometri da Castiglione del Lago, da Cortona e Città della Pieve/Chiusi, si trova la Fattoria e Azienda Agricola “La Cerreta”. Essa fu acquistata nel 1982, fin da allora, la vocazione per l’agricoltura e per gli animali, la tenacia nello svolgere la propria attività rispettando elevati standard qualitativi l’hanno portata a rappresentare, oggi, un’importante realtà nel territorio Umbro….
Con il passare degli anni si è sempre investito nelle attività con uno sguardo rivolto al futuro e puntando sempre nell’innovazione.
WHAT WE RAISE
Le Frisone
In 2012 a new generation stable was built, the farm has 330 Friesian cows, fed with forage grown on the farm, of which 160 in lactation from which 48 quintals of milk are obtained per day which is collected every morning by the Grifo Milk, a food group of Perugia which follows the bottling and distribution for retail sale.
The Frisian are distinguished by a correct balance between the quality and quantity of the milk which is exceptionally healthy; it is subjected to strict controls which have a precise objective: to keep constant those particular characteristics which allow Cerreta to confirm itself as a producer of High Quality milk. The main characteristics are: fat not less than 3.6%, proteins not less than 3.2% and above all a single pasteurization treatment within 48 hours of milking.
The milk begins to be made “in the stable” and not in the dairy, it is the place where with daily care, 365 days a year, the cows are raised and cared for to promote their and our well-being!!!
Le Angus
The last to arrive in the Cerreta house!! Our herd grazes on land once cultivated with corn and today converted into perennial meadows, where they grow free and are fed in a healthy and natural way. These calves lead a completely natural life, they do not need pharmacological treatment because they hardly get sick and they are not fed with any type of feed. This, together with strict compliance with all meat processing procedures, allows us to offer a niche product of great value, unmistakable in taste, exceptional in quality
Gli struzzi
Inside the company there is an ostrich farm which has about fifty animals arranged in different separate boxes between breeding and breeding subjects…… the king of our Educational Farm, the children who visit it are always fascinated by this strange bird with prehistoric features but which, over the centuries, has not physically changed. There is always a lot of curiosity surrounding these animals, the fact that they have wings and cannot fly, that they were bred in distant times for the pleasure of beauty and for the precious feathers that adorned the robes of pharaohs, kings and queens. All breeding is organized in a short, complete and controlled chain from birth to adult animal always within the company.
THE OLIVE GROVE
Organic for love
Nothing is more suggestive than walking in our olive groves to admire a plant of rare beauty, generous, rustic and harmonious. Our centenary plants, with their twisted trunk and rustling fronds take us back to times gone by and express attachment to life. Since ancient times man has learned to cultivate it and to produce a precious nectar: extra virgin olive oil, a culinary product, but also used for its medicinal and healing qualities. The olive tree is a plant that accompanies generations and surpasses them in memory but needs time, attention and love. Ancient olive groves to look after, to be pruned with skill so that every year they can return to bear fruit. From one generation to the next, Cerreta looks to the development of modern organic olive growing, in the name of the continuity of an activity that respects the territory and quality.
“ARMONIA”
Our organic oil
Unless prevented by adverse weather conditions, the harvest begins in October and after the harvest the olives are stored in small crates which allow for constant ventilation, avoiding heating. To guarantee the quality of the final product, we carry out the milling on the same day as the olive harvest and, to keep the organoleptic properties of the oil to the maximum, the processing is carried out cold, i.e. under a controlled temperature of 28°C. Once they arrive at the mill, they are subjected to some necessary stages before the oil is extracted, such as defoliation and pressing. The processing of the crusher is in 2 phases as there is no addition of water during the working process and consequently no waste water is produced.
The extracted oil is stored in stainless steel barrels for natural decantation until bottling, which takes place only at the time of request. The Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is packaged in 3l and 5l cans or in 0.75ml and 0.25ml bottles. It is possible to buy it in the company but it can be booked and shipped throughout Italy. Want to surprise your guests with a personal gift to thank them for taking part in your party? We at Cerreta offer a different idea from the usual… the quality of our oil combined with the design of original ceramic jars handmade by Deruta artisans.
BIOENERGY
Our energy
The anaerobic digestion process is used to convert the organic substance contained in the matrices introduced into the digester into electrical and thermal energy (cogeneration). The production of methane which is generated by this process feeds an engine which in turn moves a current generator which is fed into the distribution network.
The products we use are given by zootechnical manure from our breeding of dairy cows and ensiled vegetable masses from secondary local crops that also occupy marginal areas. The electricity that reaches the grid is therefore undoubtedly produced with low environmental impact considering that the emissions into the atmosphere of exhaust gases are minimal and that the result of the fermented vegetable masses (digestate) are an excellent natural organic fertilizer, soil conditioner that it also contributes to the maintenance of a texture useful for avoiding leaching and depletion of the soil. This process highlights this virtuous circuit in which the energy taken from the earth through crops is returned with products and agronomic practices adapted to the needs of the territory.