Oct. 29, 2008: Olive harvest

This morning we are picking the olives. Seems like it will be a good year for olive oil as well: there are many and they reached a good level of maturation, thanks to the mild fall.
At this point you would think that I am done here at Resta, but you are wrong, because with Claudio we decided to try to grow saffron, and it is usually picked in october, before noon - don't know why, will tell you when I find out!

We have to pick the flowers very carefully, they are delicate, and take off the inner part, sort of dark orange looking, and leave it to dry for few days: then I can place it in a glass container and it's ready to be used.

I am adding a picture here on top, they are so beatiful, am already dreaming of a risotto alla milanese...

Another important issue is that the day before yesterday there has been a votation at the Brunello's Consortium, to decide if to change the way of making the wine, if to add other grapes or not, and I am very pleased to tell you that the traditional "party" won, so Brunello can only be made with 100% sangiovese grosso. Am very pleased for Altesino, as you know this is the line of Claudio and of many other producers.

Am working right now with joy on the presentation of the italian edition of the book of my friend Beth Elon.
It will be held in Buonconvento, on November 13th. Am looking forward it, having been part of the project since the beginning.

All for now, am creating a new post, where you may write something, as a comment. Sometimes I have contacts from people that don't know me, and it could help them to figure out if they should trust me or not!

My very best to all,

Anna Lisa