Restricted Area
The Pastures
Their Selection
Each pasture imparts a unique sensory trait, an integral part first of the milk, then of the cheese. The peculiarities of the territory, the soil, the climate, and the vegetation characterise and leave an indelible trace on the products of this land.
That grass cover, growing unbidden, on which hundreds of sheep graze, thus becomes the first ingredient to produce a quality pecorino.
For this reason, the Caseificio Pinzani carefully and thoughtfully selects the pastures and the shepherds that provide the milk used for the production of its cheeses.
It is a high quality milk coming exclusively from the regions of the Sienese ClaysVery distinctive hilly region to the southwest of Siena whose clay composition is due to its ancient sea basin nature where sand and mud would settle. The erosion process of these lands formed numerous ravines named "calanchi" and "biancane," low hills with cupola-like tops. The pre-eminent nature that still dominates the environment is therefore the chief trait of the Clays, characterised by rather unusual colours, such as the grey of the clay and the yellow of the sulphates. and Volterra CliffsArea characterised by gorges created by hillside slides and slippages caused by the erosive action of atmospheric precipitations. The water infiltrates the permeable sandy deposits at the top of the Volterra hill and removes the impermeable clay under them, thus causing the clay’s progressive retreat and the ensuing slide due to the collapse of the sandy and arenaceous layers lying over it. This imposing erosion process, active for some centuries, has even affected a portion of an Etruscan necropolis and the ancient church of San Giusto al Botro, forever engulfed into the abyss during the first half of the 17th century., lands characterised by a broad range of native grasses among which grow wormwoodHerbaceous plant of the Composite family (Artemisia absinthium), with yellow flower heads (clusters) and hairy leaves., bistort, wild ryeGramineous plant yielding small ears with stiff hairs., cloverHerbaceous plant of the Papilionaceae family (Trifolium incarnatum), annual or perennial, represented by numerous species, having trilobate leaves, with red, pink, white, or yellow flower heads (clusters)., various native gramineous plantsFamily of monocotyledonous herbaceous plants (Graminaceae), annuals or perennials, with ear-shaped or cob-shaped inflorescences and kernel-like fruits; cereals, among others, belong to this family., sweet cicely, pepolinoTuscan name for thyme, a shrubby plant of the Labiate family (Thymus vulgaris) with rhomboidal leaves and pink flowers; it grows wild in the arid regions of the Mediterranean; it has a strong aroma and is used as a seasoning in cooking, as an essential oil in perfumery, and as an antiseptic and antispasmodic in medicine., vetches, lotus, juniperConiferous shrub of the Cupressaceae family (Juniperus communis), typical of arid seaside and mountain environments; it has prickly needle-shaped leaves and small, spherical, dark blue fruits with a strong aroma., wild thymeAromatic herbaceous plant of the Labiate family (Thymus serpyllum), belonging to the genus Thymus..
