In the mountains around Pistoia, some families still make sheep’s milk cheeses in the same way as they did a hundred years ago. They take their sheep up to pasture in the mountain meadows, use natural rennet and would never dream of pasteurizing their milk (making them a rarity among Tuscan cheesemakers). They raise black Massese sheep, feeding them only hay, corn, bran and oats in the winter. With their milk—available year-round because the breed gives birth three times every two years—the cheesemaking farmers produce excellent pecorino, and also raviggiolo and ricotta.
Season
The cheese can be found year-round, with respect for the Massese lactation cycle, but the fresh pecorino is best in the spring and fall.
Only a handful of producers remain, dotted around the mountains. Cheese represents their primary source of income, supplemented by chestnut gathering. Potatoes are also grown at higher altitudes, and beans further down. The Presidium wants to safeguard the pastures and guarantee a fair income to the families who have chosen not to abandon the mountains.
Production area
Pistoian mountain Municipalities, Pistoia Province
Presidium supported by
Pistoia Provincial Authority, Pistoia Provincial Breeders Association, Pistoian Apennines Mountain Community, Pistoia Mountains and Valleys Consortium
Production area
Pistoian mountain Municipalities, Pistoia Province
Presidium supported by
Pistoia Provincial Authority, Pistoia Provincial Breeders Association, Pistoian Apennines Mountain Community, Pistoia Mountains and Valleys Consortium
Romolo Fini
di Gabriele Beatarice
Pontelungo (Pt)
via della Cava, 6
tel. 0573 911104 - 339 4044682
gabrielebeatrice62@gmail.com
Stefano Innocenti
Piteglio (Pt)
podere La Fornace
tel. 333 9053633 - 0573 69034/69051
lafornacept@virgilio.it
Massimo Iori
Cantagallo (Po)
località Cascina di Spedaletto, 1
tel. 340 7256467
cascinaiori@gmail.com
Fattoria Lenzini
di Angelo Lenzini
Borgo Buggiano (Pt)
via Ficocchio, 43
tel. 0572 770318 - 349 0645190
fattorialenzini@gmail.com
Remo Paccagnini
di Sabrina Paccagnini
Olmi Quarrata (Pt)
via del Falchero
tel. 0573 718672 - 339 2452632
sbancarci1971@gmail.com
Luana Pagliai
Cutigliano (Pt)
via della Buca, 1
tel. 0573 68185 - 340 5762717
info@agriturismolabuca.com
Franco Pagliai
San Marcello Piteglio (Pt)
podere Uffiziatura
tel. 347 6057065 - 347 7026304
aziendaagricolauffiziatura@gmail.com
Piero Tofanelli
Cerreto Guidi (Fi)
via di Poggioni, 22
tel. 340 9274855 - 347 4877329
tofanellicarlo@live.com
Catia Verdetti
di Rachele Petrucci
San Marcello Piteglio (Pt)
via del Guaime, 868
tel. 0573 629312 - 347 8851528
rachele.petrucci7@gmail.com
di Gabriele Beatarice
Pontelungo (Pt)
via della Cava, 6
tel. 0573 911104 - 339 4044682
gabrielebeatrice62@gmail.com
Stefano Innocenti
Piteglio (Pt)
podere La Fornace
tel. 333 9053633 - 0573 69034/69051
lafornacept@virgilio.it
Massimo Iori
Cantagallo (Po)
località Cascina di Spedaletto, 1
tel. 340 7256467
cascinaiori@gmail.com
Fattoria Lenzini
di Angelo Lenzini
Borgo Buggiano (Pt)
via Ficocchio, 43
tel. 0572 770318 - 349 0645190
fattorialenzini@gmail.com
Remo Paccagnini
di Sabrina Paccagnini
Olmi Quarrata (Pt)
via del Falchero
tel. 0573 718672 - 339 2452632
sbancarci1971@gmail.com
Luana Pagliai
Cutigliano (Pt)
via della Buca, 1
tel. 0573 68185 - 340 5762717
info@agriturismolabuca.com
Franco Pagliai
San Marcello Piteglio (Pt)
podere Uffiziatura
tel. 347 6057065 - 347 7026304
aziendaagricolauffiziatura@gmail.com
Piero Tofanelli
Cerreto Guidi (Fi)
via di Poggioni, 22
tel. 340 9274855 - 347 4877329
tofanellicarlo@live.com
Catia Verdetti
di Rachele Petrucci
San Marcello Piteglio (Pt)
via del Guaime, 868
tel. 0573 629312 - 347 8851528
rachele.petrucci7@gmail.com
Slow Food Presidium Producers’ Coordinator
Luana Pagliai
tel. +39 340 5762717
info@agriturismolabuca.com
Slow Food Presidium Coordinator
Michelangelo Vangelisti
tel. 331 2920128
vmichelangelo@alice.it
Luana Pagliai
tel. +39 340 5762717
info@agriturismolabuca.com
Slow Food Presidium Coordinator
Michelangelo Vangelisti
tel. 331 2920128
vmichelangelo@alice.it
