La Fabbrica in Collina

Surrounded by the green hills of the upper Monferrato, “La Fabbrica” is a former typical Piedmontese farmhouse dating back, as an original construction, to the mid-nineteenth century, while as it appears today in its volumes, to the twenties of the twentieth century, to be completely renovated in the nineties and very recently, to include modern comforts (ensuite bathrooms and indoor Spa).

For more than a century, therefore, it stands out on its hill characterized by a turret that makes it unique in the area and recognizable from all the surrounding villages: from it you can admire (Cassinelle, Cremolino, Morbello and Visone) and with the eye wander 360 degrees until you see Monviso!

Built on the top of the village of Prasco, (equipped with a train station, castle, swimming pool and soccer field) it enjoys an enviable exposure.

The annexed farmhouse completes the structure, which stands on a total property of 37 hectares, of which half a hectare has been used since the 1960s as a Barbera and Dolcetto vineyard, the others currently transformed into woods.

Entering the woods it will be easy to collect mushrooms and chestnuts and, if you are lucky and good, even truffles!

Also look for shells, marine fossils: in prehistoric times the sea came from the Adriatic to here and on various rocks you can easily see the stratification given by the sea waves.

Its name comes from the majesty of the house: THE FACTORY, found written as a point of reference on the military geographical maps of the First World War.

It is said that during its expansion, as the original body appeared very different and more humble, the villagers were amazed by the size of the building, for the time absolutely disproportionate compared to others in the area and asked each other saying: “but what do they want to do there: a factory?”

In the past, it was a real farm because sharecropping was practiced, until the sixties, when it was abolished and when the current owner family bought it.

The Factory, and hence the consolidation of its name, employed 3 families of sharecroppers: one of whom lived in the main body of the house on one side, together with the owner on the other, and the other two – now in ruins – near the fields, transforming, with the work of skilled manual labor, the land into fields of wheat and corn, but for the most part into vineyards of Dolcetto, Barbera, Cortese and Moscato.

Today, of all the cultivated land, only fruit trees of various kinds remain (cherries, black cherries, peaches, apricots, strawberries, apples, pears, plums, persimmons, pomegranates, hazelnuts, walnuts), olive trees from which excellent Taggiasca olives are obtained and a Barbera vineyard for the production of wine for family use. The entire area of Cremolino is D.O.C. for Dolcetto and Barbera.

The house is made up of two wings: the south one, made available entirely or ideally divisible into two apartments with only the staircase to the rooms in common and the west one used as a period rural house, to experience as much as possible the atmosphere of 100 years ago.

Both accommodate 15 guests in double rooms each.

And both have access to the V.E.S.P.A. Veritas Est Salus Per Aquam, the latest gem of wellness: a family SPA, which can accommodate 6 people at the same time, including a sauna, Turkish bath, emotional shower, sea salt relaxation area in the under-tower and a hydromassage on the tower with a 360-degree view.

If you are lucky enough to meet the owner, on weekends or holidays, she will show you the cellar dug into the tuff according to the oldest tradition of the upper Monferrato which houses a small agricultural museum so as not to lose the tools, implements and equipment, found in the farmhouse and explain their use, perhaps in the evening to enjoy the incomparable and suggestive sunset on the tower while sipping a good wine.

The three apartments are all recently renovated: the expert restoration allows us to welcome guests in rooms full of period elements and details specially maintained and revitalized: fixtures, doors, decorations, fireplaces, windows and details.

It is useless to have air conditioning, because the thick walls of the house and the coolness of the place, give pleasure even in summer, in winter the house is heated both by pellet stoves, both by wood fireplaces and by the LPG system.

Only by reservation, for a fee, you can try wine therapy: for some years the effectiveness of the property of grapes against free radicals has been verified. Starting from this concept, we propose a package consisting of a bath in wine carried out in a wooden tub where, in addition to water, wine, yeasts and other active ingredients contained in grapes are poured, which guarantee great relaxation and deep purification of the skin.

In detail, the South wing can be rented entirely for 15 beds, or used in 2 sub-apartments: the “Dolcetto” apartment consists of a kitchen, living room, bathroom on the ground floor, 2 large double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the first floor. Private access from the garden behind the house, with table and chairs for exclusive use; the “Barbera” apartment consists of a kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, a large living room/lounge with a working fireplace on the first floor and three double bedrooms on the second floor. Access from the courtyard with table and chairs for exclusive use.

The structure is also equipped with additional services such as: ping pong table, billiards, table football, bowling green, mini-football and basketball court, children’s playground and in summer the swimming pool.