Hi, I’m Nicoletta, and one of the values I hold dear is promoting tourism that brings real value to small mountain communities. Here in Bardineto, and more generally in the Bormida Valley, people put their heart and soul into producing local, natural food with an unmistakable flavor. For this reason, I always advise my guests to avoid the big supermarkets on the Riviera or in Millesimo, unless they need something that is hard to find (although, I assure you, gluten-free products can also be found here!).

If we really want to experience and enjoy the mountains, the best thing to do is to support local producers, small stores and farmers who work with passion to offer quality products. Here are my tips on where to do 0-mile shopping around Bardineto.

The Forno del Caruggio – Bardineto

A true gem in the heart of Bardineto. This bakery is a must for anyone looking for fresh bread and baked goods of the highest quality. Their bread, made with long-rising Petra flours, is simply delicious. Definitely try the focaccia: it is not the classic Genovese, but it tastes phenomenal, with a really excellent oil flavor. Personally, I love it paired with Capitelli cooked ham, a high-end product that you can also find here, along with a selection of cured meats including a smoked crudo from Sauris that is a real treat (you can find out about it here: Wolfsauris).

In addition to bread and baked goods, Forno del Caruggio also offers a selection of local wines and specialties from the Bormida Valley and Cuneo area, such as syrups, herbal teas and cheeses, including those made by Beppino Occelli. If you are here on a Thursday, I recommend making a reservation for giuncata, a fresh sheep’s milk cheese from Le Langhette farm . They are also really worth a visit to their dairy in Saliceto, where you will find not only cheeses, but also prosciutto, sheep ragout, and goat cured meats. Find out more about Le Langhette here: Le Langhette.

Small Bakery Bakery – Bardineto

Another little piece of heaven in Bardineto is the Piccolo Forno Bakery. Here you can find everything from potato bread to pizza, focaccia, and homemade desserts. Their deli department is a delight, with a beef roast that I wait all year to enjoy again because it is tender and flavorful, perfect every time.

The store also offers stuffed vegetables, cold cuts, juices and other necessities. Don’t let the small size fool you: you can find everything here, including gluten-free products from the best brand, Schär. Learn more about gluten-free products at Schär.

Frascheri – Point of sale in Bardineto

If you are looking for fresh produce and dairy products, the Frascheri store is the place to go. Here you will find all of Frascheri‘s products, but also a wide selection of vegan foods, such as their soy milk, which is excellent. Among the cheeses, yogurts, and ice cream (including goat’s milk), you will also find baked goods and many other local specialties.

Don’t miss New Roule Farm’s excellent herbal teas and products from O Dasso Farm, which offers quality jellied meats, broths and preparations. Plus, you’ll find delicious dry pastries from Carcare’s Ferrari Bakery, such as tarts and baci di dama (lady’s kisses). This is one of those places where shopping becomes a social time, where you chat with locals and breathe in the true essence of life in Bardineto.

Canova Maura Butcher Shop – Calizzano

If you love meat, you absolutely must visit the Canova Maura Butcher Shop in Calizzano. Here you can buy very fresh cuts of meat, just a few steps from the farm itself, thus guaranteeing a true km 0. Not only meat: this farm also produces whole wheat pasta with Bolero wheat, an ancient and very tasty variety. And if you are a fan of grilling, here you will find cuts of meat perfect for optimal cooking.

Be sure to try their special pasta with chestnut flour, typical of Calizzano, and stock up on the excellent local potatoes. If you are planning a barbecue, this really is heaven: the ribs and other cuts are perfect for a barbecue with family or friends. They also vacuum-pack everything and offer delivery to the Riviera. Find out more about Canova Maura on Facebook.

Bignè Farm – Bardineto

One of my favorite places for a relaxing walk is theBignè Farm, just a few minutes’ walk from our vacation home. Here you can take a pleasant flat walk along the Bormida River, ending right in front of the farm’s store, where you will find fresh cheeses and exceptional ice cream, made with milk freshly milked from the cows you see grazing nearby.

This ice cream is truly unique: creamy, natural and intensely flavored, a real treat. If you are on the Riviera, you can also taste it at their store in Borghetto Santo Spirito, but the experience of tasting it directly on the farm, after a walk through the woods, is unparalleled.

Jole Buscaglia Farm – Calizzano

If you are looking for fresh, wholesome vegetables,Jole Buscaglia Farm in Calizzano is the place to be. Jole has turned her passion for agriculture into a reality that she has been carrying on for more than 20 years. Here you will find a wide selection of vegetables grown without the use of chemicals, following sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. This farm stands out for its production of ancient varieties, such as Navone (Ravacò in dialect), an almost disappeared vegetable that Jole has managed to save from extinction.

Whenever I shop at her place, I am sure to bring quality products to the table that reflect the authentic flavor of the Bormida Valley. Her philosophy is simple: grow and sell only what she herself eats. It is a special place where quality is felt in every bite. I recommend a visit to her fields, where you can appreciate the manual labor and passion behind each product. You can find her at 59/2 Via Matteotti, Calizzano.

Santamaria Laboratory – Calizzano

Another treasure of the Bormida Valley is the Santamaria Laboratory in Calizzano, which has been involved in the artisanal production of preserves for more than 20 years. If you are passionate about porcini mushrooms, this is the place for you! In the centuries-old forests surrounding Calizzano, autumn brings extraordinary harvests of porcini, and the Santamaria laboratory specializes precisely in their processing. Here you can find fresh, dried and pickled porcini mushrooms, as well as a wide range of vegetable preserves, sauces, jams and marmalades.

Among their products, my favorites are the Valleggia apricot jam, a true local gem, recognized as a Slow Food Presidium, and the Mediterranean pate, where they dare a combination of unusual flavors such as black figs and black olive pate. The result is a rich and enveloping sweet-savory flavor, perfect to accompany with local cheeses. Another must is the hazelnut sauce, a condiment that looks like a meat sauce but is completely vegan, rich and very satisfying.

Alimentari Sonia – Bardineto

Finally, for everyday shopping, there is Sonia ‘s grocery store in the village. Here you can find everything from fruit from Peveragno, to basic necessities, to a small selection of books on the history of Bardineto. Sonia is a very kind person and the store, while small, is incredibly well stocked. Whether it is soaps, pasta, or frozen foods, you are sure to find everything you need here. It is the classic village store that we all love, where there is a cozy, family atmosphere.