HISTORY
"The beauty that Cascina Meraviglia displays excites me...
...at the beginning it seemed to me like the bet of a lifetime. Today, I realise that the bet has already been won by the people of Monferrato and the fact that Cascina Meraviglia exists is thanks to them. I have it only on temporary loan and will leave it to future researchers " D.L.
Housed in a magnificently renovated seventeenth-century farm in Monferrato which belonged to the Cacherano of Bricherasio, the Enosis Meraviglia Consulting and Applied Research Centre undertook, in 2005, its first steps to face head on the wine challenges of the future.
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Developed on an area of 2500 square meters and extending over four floors, Cascina Meraviglia houses Laboratories, Tasting Rooms, Experimental and Virtual Cellars, Offices, Meeting Rooms, Conference Rooms and Classrooms. A crystal tunnel, allowing for a complete immersion in the landscape, in all seasons and all weathers leads us to the entrance. From wherever you look, Cascina Meraviglia offers striking views of the surrounding rolling hills, stretching into the distance towards the snow-capped mountain ranges, in a sinuous cradle of biodiversity and beauty. Stronghold of science and excellence, Cascina Meraviglia is surrounded by experimental vineyards, where 37 native Italian varieties are grown in order to better define the varietal profile, leading to an understanding of the potential and makeup of the wines so as to enhance their expressive character.
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Cascina Meraviglia crystallizes the image of a millennial culture destined for the future
Cascina Meraviglia and the Cacherano of Bricherasio
Cascina Meraviglia is a seventeenth-century residence that once belonged to the Cacherano of Bricherasio, a dynasty of ancient Piedmontese nobility, renowned for their military exploits, philanthropy, and patronage, including several family members who became viceroys of the Savoy.
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The eponymous seventeenth-century palace, also called "Castle" of Fubine was among the many possessions of the Cacheranos of Bricherasio. The building stands on a pre-existing structure of Renaissance origin, and was the home of Count Vincenzo Natta di Baldesco, who settled in the area around the mid-seventeenth century following his hotly contested feuds with the inhabitants of Fubine, which were fuelled by Duke Carlo II di Gonzaga-Nevers.
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Over the centuries the building has passed through many hands; from Cristina (daughter of the Marquis Luigi Natta d'Alfiano) and then to her spouse, Count Corrado Magnocavallo of Varengo. In 1822 the property was sold to Count Felice Cacherano of Bricherasio, who was the father of Count Luigi Cacherano of Bricherasio. The marriage between Count Luigi Cacherano of Bricherasio and Teresa Massel of Caresana, saw the birth of Sofia and Emanuele who would become prominent early figures of the Turin nobility in the early twentieth century. Sofia was a pupil of the famous Piedmontese painter Lorenzo Delleani and as well as being a talented painter, was also a patron and philanthropist, making Fubine, and the Turin residence of the family, one of the most renowned cultural salons frequented by many distinguished members of society including Delleani himself. Other visitors included the sculptor Leonardo Bistolfi and Federico Caprilli a cavalry captain who was a close friend of the Bricherasio family. His brother Emanuele, on the other hand, distinguished himself for his enterprising commitment in the nascent sector of the automotive industry, appearing among the founding members of FIAT, in a painting commissioned by Delleani which commemorates the signing of the memorandum in the Turin residence of the Bricherasio family.
The painting by Lorenzo Delleani depicts the founders of the Italian Automobile Factory Company of Turin when, on 11 July 1899, they put up the capital of 800,000 Lire in 4,000 Shares (currently 3.6 million Euros). The signatures followed several meetings in Madame Burello's Café and financial backing from the Reale Torino Discount and Silk Bank.
1) Luigi Damevino (Stockbroker)
2) Cesare Goria Gatti (Founder and promoter of the Automobile Club Italia)
3) Roberto Biscaretti Ruffia (Count)
4) Carlo Racca (Lawyer)
5) Emanuele Cacherano of Bricherasio
6) Michele Ceriana Mayneri (Banker and Industrialist)
7) Giovanni Agnelli (Turin industrialist)
8) Lodovico Scarfiotti (Agricultural landowner)
9) Alfonso Ferrero (Marquis of Ventimiglia)
