If there is one place I consider truly special, it is theBignè Farm in Bardineto. This place embodies everything I love about the Bormida Valley: unspoiled nature, animals treated with care and genuine products that tell the story of the area. In the late afternoon, when the sun begins to set, you can take a loop walk starting directly from Casa Olga. This flat route skirts the river and crosses large meadows, where it is easy to meet grazing cows and sometimes even free horses in the immense fields. The cows are sociable, and there is always some calf to pet. It is an experience I recommend to all my guests: not only for the beauty of the landscape, but also for the serene atmosphere.
Mara and Giacomo, the owners of the farm, are very kind people, always ready to give advice and share their love for the work they do. Their raw milk is of the highest quality, and although I’m not a big dairy lover, if I’m going to indulge in a few treats, I prefer to do it with their products. Milking takes place around 6:30 pm, and witnessing this moment is a pleasure: the cows are in excellent health, and their well-being is evident from the serenity with which they live. It is a pleasant and fragrant environment, where it is even nicer to enjoy ice cream made from freshly milked milk.
The farm
TheBignè Farm was born from the dream of renovating an old barn and transforming it into a place where breeding, dairy and sales are perfectly integrated. Here, everything is connected: the cows live free in the barn and in the surrounding meadows, fed exclusively on local hay and NO GMO certified grains. Freshly milked milk automatically arrives at the dairy, where it is processed into fresh, wholesome cheeses.
The farm stands out for its focus on quality and tradition, but without sacrificing modern technology that ensures cleanliness and safety. The milking parlor is state-of-the-art and ensures that the milk arrives at the dairy as fresh and safe as possible. This path, which goes from breeding to processing, is a true example of a short supply chain, where every step is taken care of with the utmost attention.
The Breeding of Red Spotted Cows
Bignè Farm ‘s breeding is based on a special breed: the Italian Pezzate Rosse. These cows are known for their rusticity and docility, characteristics that make them perfect for living outdoors, grazing freely in the meadows of Brigneta during the summer and feeding on hay and grain in the winter months. Their milk production is not high, but the quality is unquestionable: perfect for making authentic-tasting cheeses.
Farming follows a natural rhythm, respecting seasonal cycles and ensuring a high level of animal welfare. Each cow is treated with care, and the farm maintains strict control over the quality of the milk, which is constantly analyzed to ensure the highest standards of wholesomeness.
The Dairy
At the company’s dairy, production is limited to a few varieties of cheese, but each represents excellence. Among the most popular products are the two types of stracchino: the classic, creamy one and a “softer” version, similar to squacquerone, ideal to accompany piadinas and fried bread. Another top product is tomini type “primo sale, “ available in the classic version or flavored with chives or chili pepper.
For those who love aged cheeses, the company offers a delicate toma, made from raw milk and rested for more than two months on cherry boards. The gray, wrinkled rind encloses an interior with a sweet, delicate taste reminiscent of the flavor of fresh milk. And then there is ricotta, made from whey and raw milk, with an even more intense flavor than those commonly found on the market.
The farm store: from lawn to table
The farm’s farm store is where all the work comes to fruition. Here, in the little store adjacent to the barn, freshly made products can be purchased: cheeses, yogurt and ice cream. The same products can be packaged to take home or made into delicious gift baskets. If you prefer, you can enjoy everything right in the picnic area next to the cow pen, breathing in the fresh air of Bardineto and enjoying a different day than usual. During summer Sundays, it is a unique experience, complemented by the opportunity to watch the evening milking.
The Agrigelateria: homemade ice cream with freshly milked milk
The company’s passion is not limited to cheese. In recent years,Agrigelateria Bignè has become famous for its artisanal ice cream, made with fresh milk from the farm’s cows. This ice cream is special because it is made following true artisanal methods, without the use of powdered preparations. Each ingredient is carefully selected, with a focus on quality and local provenance.
In addition to fresh eggs from a farmer in Piana Crixia, Agrigelateria Bignè’s ice cream uses berries from the Ca’ di Voi farm in Cagna (near Calizzano) and delicious raspberries from the Le Collette farm in Bardineto. But it doesn’t end there: one of the most special and beloved flavors is beer ice cream, made with amber beer from the Scola agricultural brewery, a real treat for craft beer lovers. The beer is paired with cocoa gruè, a grain made from the bitter cocoa bean, creating an explosive mix of flavors.
And then, there is my favorite: hay milk cream. Yes, you guessed it right: ice cream that tastes like grass! Eating this ice cream is like breathing in the scent of hay in the morning in a field. The natural sweetness of milk combines with the aromas of hay, creating a unique taste experience that manages to transport you right into the middle of the meadows of the Bormida Valley.
The Bignè farm prides itself on using high-quality raw materials from small local producers. In addition to milk from their cows, they use fresh eggs from a farmer in Piana Crixia, berries from Ca’ di Voi farm, and raspberries from Le Collette farm in Bardineto. For beer, too, the company relies on a local producer, Scola Farm Brewery, which produces everything from hops to beer. And to top it off, they use fair-trade chocolate and Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar to ensure an authentic, high-quality taste.
There are also vending machines for raw milk and cheese “downstream” in Toirano and Albenga
For those who cannot travel directly to Bardineto, the company has installed a number of vending machines in various locations in Liguria, where it is possible to buy cheese, yogurt and fresh raw milk 24 hours a day. These vending machines are located in Toirano and Albenga, making the company’s products accessible even to those living on the Riviera.
Contact Information
- Bignè Farm
- Address: Via Cesare Battisti, 5, 17057 Bardineto (SV)
- Phone: +39 338 498 4826
- Email: info@lelanghette.it
- Website: Bignè Farm
- Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00-18:00
- Agrigelateria Bignè
- Address: Piazza Libertà, 15 R, 17052 Borghetto Santo Spirito (SV)
- Vending machines:
- Toirano: Piazza Fratelli Marchesano
- Albenga: Viale Pontelungo, in front of the high school
