Chestnut honey

Back in 1915, thanks to an important donation, the cantonal agricultural school of Mezzana was created, later renamed into Professional centre for green activities. The associated cantonal agricultural company on a total area of around 60 hectares, is divided into various agricultural production sectors. In the new barn there is room for about fifty head of cattle that, during the summer period, move to the alpine pasture in the Valle Morobbia, where an excellent Ticino AOC alpine cheese, Giumello, is produced. A considerable part of the agricultural area is devoted to the production of fodder for livestock and cereal crops. With 0.75 hectares of land under cover, the horticultural sector is active throughout the year. But the sector that plays a priority role is the wine-growing sector with vineyards located in the villages of Balerna, Coldrerio, Castel San Pietro and on the slopes of the Bellinzona Castles, which allow the production of about 60,000 bottles of fine wines, particularly reds. The orchard and apiary complete the company's varied activities with the production of apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, strawberries and raspberries and an excellent robinia and chestnut honey.