Walking, riding and tasting life through cheese

A journey into a shepherd’s life to discover how cheese is born

It is not just poetry, it is an intimate and silent journey inside the true world of shepherding, to slowly witness the birth of a formidable cheese made with milk produced from natural grazing. It is about walking behind a herd of sheep to discover that they do not only feed on grass; it is about learning to hear the silence of the mountain recounting enticing stories with the wind; it is about crossing through – on horseback or by foot – the mythical Lucera-Castel di Sangro tratturo, a historical sheep and cattle track that has been traversed by shepherds, peasants and travellers alike for centuries. The immersion of oneself in a territory with a long mountain tradition, being absorbed by the surrounding natural environment and distancing from the frenetic rhythm of every day city life, is essential to rediscover il gusto della vita – the savoury taste of life. Where can you do this? In Castropignano, located in the Biferno valley looking at the Frosolone hills. There you can find Mario and his family, a group of genuine and cordial who are ready to receive their guests with a bright smile and their indisputable originality. A day of tranquillity learning about an almost lost craft – composed of grazing walks, being in contact with animals, horseback riding, milking and observing milk processes – to later make and finally taste fresh curd cheese. Flavours and emotions that will be taken to the table and enjoyed together with new friends, along with fresh vegetables from the garden and other delicacies from this pleasant corner of Molise: sausage, bread, pizza, pasta, marmalade, pickled preserves, tomato sauce – and many other products – all rigorously made in the farm. Shepherd, craftsman, miller and cheese maker – our friend Mario never stops: he gets up at dawn and goes to sleep only when there is nothing else to do around the farm. All year long he takes care of the production of artisanal cheese, meat preservation, and sheepherding with horses and hounds, while dedicating those few moments of relaxation to his beloved bagpipe – the zampogna – which he plays since he was a boy. Let’s dive into this experience! Through movement, sympathy, and good taste we will live an almost magical journey between stories of old and the secrets of a territory where past and present harmoniously blend together.

We have selected only cozy, high-quality, environmentally-friendly accommodations. They are all in an authentic urban context, in contact with local people. The strengths are the hospitable approach and the welcoming culture. You can choose the accommodation when you customize the your tour.