The business was founded in 1870 when Tommaso Rondelli decided to plant the first Rossese vineyards, a vine with red grape characteristic of the Val Nervia region, in a district famous for its white earth : name was decided , Terre Bianche ( white earths). Tha excellent location of the site ( with southeastern exposure at an altitude of 400m u.s.l.) made possible to develop an exceptionally high quality products , that's why other vines were introduced : R.L.P.Vermentino and R.L.P. Pigato , both with white grape. Olive trees of the Taggiasca quality , a source of extravirgin olive oil, were planted along with the vineyards. This olive oil is a key agricoltural product of western Liguria, and has enjoyed the European Community's prestigious Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) since 1997.
Throughout generations, the company has continued to expand in vineyards and oliveyards and the facilities have been streamlined and updated in accordance with modern agricoltural practice: Claudio and Paolo Rondelli, along with Paolo's brother in law Franco Laconi, oversaw the expansionform 1985 to 1998. Since 1998, when Filippo Rondelli, sbstituted his father, Claudio, the force of tradition along with the control of tecnology are the main guidelines. Major investments in wine making technology have also provided consistent growth in production, in terms of quantity and quality alike, but also the ideal partner of agricolture : agritourism.
Nestled among the vineyards of Arcagna, the Locanda del Bricco, a country-style inn, can accomodate up to 19 guests in comfortable, fully equipped rooms. The inns' restaurant offers splendid Ligurian cuisine made up with all the products from Terre Bianche as well as Terre Bianche wines and oil.
Actually Terre Bianche develops along the sites of Dolceacqua and Camporosso at 400 mt. upon sea level :
8 ectars of D.O.C vineyards.:
Rossese di Dolceacqua D.o.c.
R.l.p. Vermentino D.o.c.
R.l.p. Pigato D.o.c.
3 ectars of D.O.P. olives: Taggiasca olive trees
Wine and Oil production is the principle activity of Terre Bianche. We have been cultivating D.o.c vines and Olive trees for generations, and today we start a little project to grow up greens and fruits without using chemical matters only for our guests in the Locanda : tomatoes, salade, basilic, beans, onions, courgettes and many others are the solid base of our cuisine, apricots, peaches, cherries, apples, peers, figs and prunes for gluttonous marmalades.
Oenological activity aims at the best quality products, looking at the tradion but also looking for the positive features of Technology. If You visit the cellar You find the little oak barrels besides Stainless steel casks controlled by a computer system. To manage the Cellar always heads and hearths of men : The Cellar Chief, Franco Laconi and Filippo Rondelli, helped by the oenologue Mario Ronco and by the agronome Diego Passaniti.
Thinking of barrels and glasses of wine a special memory to Claudio Rondelli , father of the modern Terre Bianche, who was the first to find the power of our wines and gave an important contribution to the name of Ligurian Wines in Italy and in the World.