Cinta Senese pigs

Today's excursion was a 45 minute walk down the hill and way into the Valdichiana, through vineyards and orchards, to a very special pig farm.

This farm has been in this one family for several generations.  First the focus was olives.  Roberto took us around and pointed out some of the aspects of the trees.  See here how a centuries old tree had died, but then the root sent up some shoots on either side of the trunk and it started producing again.

This is all organic, all DOC production, so there is no chemical interference of any kind.  For example, to keep away pests, which are mostly a kind of fly that burrows into the seeds, they put up these plastic containers that have honey and vinegar in them.  The scent attracts the fly, they go in and can't get out.

He's got some old trees, some at 200 years.  They're big, but nothing like the colossal ones I saw in Puglia last year that were, if you remember, anywhere from 500-1500 years old.

 About 10 years ago, they decided to raise pigs.  Not just any pigs, but Cinta Senese pigs!  They are so-called because they are black pigs with a white 'belt' around their middles (cintura= belt).  This is an ancient breed that was brought back from extinction in the 1940s.  They are protected.  And their products are all DOC (Denominazione Origine Controllata). 

This is a retired stud .... just enjoying being in pensione

They are pretty huge, and cute.

But then this happens:

And then this....

We had a lovely aperitivo, overlooking the farm and enjoying some of their homemade wine:

And then the long trek home and UP the hill.  Whew.  Molto caldo oggi!