Paradiso di Frassina is situated 5 km from Montalcino, in a secluded position but within easy reach of the town. In all directions it enjoys splendid views of the unique and well-known Sienese landscape: on one side it looks towards the charming town of Montalcino while on the other it looks towards gentle hills given to grazing, or to fields of corn and sunflowers.Surrounded by an amphitheatre of vineyards, the old stone house Paradiso di Frassina, presents a series of roofs, which bear witness to the foundation and development of what was essential to the farm: the central farmhouse, the old cellars, the store rooms, the pigstyes and the other outbuildings. |
Today Paradiso di Frassina is coming back to life as every traditional aspect has been respected by the careful refurbishing carried out by Diana Grandi and Carlo Cignozzi, a well-known winemaker and a conoisseur of this part of Tuscany. The old cellars and outbuildings have been rebuilt and they are once more given over to the production and storage of wine. The main house is now the home and the gathering point of those who want to wish to savour the rich produce of this land while relaxing in its beauty. |
THE MUSIC AMONG THE WINES
"In the past I often played my accordeon to the grape pickers working in the vineyards, and my feeling was that the harmony of music created a magic atmosphere around the grapes and the must.
At Il Paradiso di Frassina I decided to bring to life the musical project connected with the vineyards and the wine that had been dwelling in my mind for some time.
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I filled the cellars with the sound of music, then extended the experiment to the vineyards around Il Paradiso di Frassina that produce Brunello wine. |
The effect coming from the music spreading through the vines is highly evocative. Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, Scarlatti are the favourite composers of the foliage season of the vine, and the symphonic composers such as Beethoven and Mahler are notes that prevail in the rows of vines during ripening, to scare off the grape predators. |
This original experiment has recently aroused the interest of the researchers of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Florence. |
Together we are studying in vitro as well as in the fields the possible effects that sound frequencies generate on the plant of the vine both in the rooting system, in the foliage and in the flower.
Special attention is given to the pathology of the parasites and the fungi. |
It may be sometime before positive conclusions can be reached, and in the meantime I enjoy the pleasure that comes from giving music to wine, which is undoubtedly a wonderful way to produce poetry and to carry out research!" |
| Carlo Cignozzi |
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