There\u2019s something new in the air, a ray of light from Sweden, slowly illuminating the foggy gloom surrounding the planet.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a song of protest sung by young people<\/strong> who are beginning to realise just how much destruction human beings have wrought over the years in the quest for well-being and economic growth. Kindergartens, youth centres and often enterprises<\/strong> committed to the local environment<\/strong> are striving to promote these learning programmes.<\/p>\n<\/div> Over the last few days, among the rows of vines at the Josetta Saffirio Cellar in the hills of Monforte, there have been lots of small gnomes with brightly-coloured caps peeping at the children taking part in the harvest and pressing the grapes bunches. (The Harvest of the Gnomes, 2019 – Josetta Saffirio)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> This event is part of the Adopt a row of vines<\/em> project, one of many ideas from the fertile mind of Sara Vezza, aimed at introducing winelovers to the notion of safeguarding a unique landscape <\/strong>and protecting the know-how essential to producing a real DOCG Barolo. Adopt a row of vines<\/em> is also to make an educational mark<\/strong> by providing a close-up of the life cycle of a vineyard<\/strong> and the work that goes into each step of cultivating vines and thus, increase awareness in the context of safeguarding the environment. (The Harvest of the Gnomes, 2019 – Josetta Saffirio)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Children were accompanied through the rows of vines where they harvested a crate of grapes<\/strong>. Such simple activities allow them direct contact with nature and the life cycle of a fruit-bearing plant\u2013detaching the clusters from the vines, wandering among the rows and learning how to interact with nature in a respectful way. The grape clusters in their hands are a concrete example of how nature generates life.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> (The Harvest of the Gnomes, 2019 – Josetta Saffirio)<\/p>\n<\/div> Our elders wisely said that children need to get their hands right into the dirt to learn about it and respect it. It\u2019s important that tomorrow\u2019s adults<\/em> learn about forgotten notions like having contact with farm animals and discovering the local crops grown in still-undamaged areas in the remoter reaches of our Langhe. (The Harvest of the Gnomes, 2019 – Josetta Saffirio)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Capitalism is in a historic flux at present, moving towards a real ethical revolution, whose mission is no longer to increase profits as in the past, but to engage in responsible actions with respect for the environment, future generations as well as workers.<\/p>\n It is clear that from this point of view, the processes of industrial transformation of raw materials<\/strong> must downsize and create low-environmental impact supply chains.<\/p>\n Each of us must learn to be aware of the products we consume. <\/strong>During the harvest day event the children were shown the steps of the transformation of grapes into wine in the cellar. <\/strong>They learned the mechanical processes in this transformation and as future wine buyers, how responsible enterprises<\/strong> pay attention to both the health aspects of their products as well as the environment via low-impact methods.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> As sunsets redden the first fogs of the autumn, nature-lovers big and small will return home with the satisfaction and pride of having contributed to the making of one of Mother Earth\u2019s greatest products<\/strong>. Such a learning experience<\/strong> takes hold within the family and encourages an individual philosophy of life, an ethical approach to the environment and education for youngsters.<\/p>\n It is a custom in Langhe families<\/strong> to put aside a bottle of Barolo or Nebbiolo<\/strong> for each newborn child and to make a present of it when they become adults. The hope is that they are aware of the gift’s rich heritage and that perhaps, with each sip of wine, they will remember the long-ago days when their grape-stained hands took part in the voyage and history of that bottle, as it is uncorked so many years later.<\/p>\n<\/div>
All over the world, new initiatives in the spirit of sustainability are underway to make each of us more aware and nudge our ethical consciences<\/strong>. Even very young children are involved in learning to respect the environment<\/strong> and act in the best interests of nature.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s good for children to get their hands dirty with soil and grapes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>
The Gnomes’ Harvest <\/strong>is an event organised by winemaker Sara Vezza to give families the opportunity to take part in the grape harvest and to watch each step in the production of wine. The real protagonists of the day were the children<\/strong> who enjoyed some time together outside in the fresh air.<\/p>\n<\/div>![\"alta-langa-brut-spumante\"](\"https:\/\/www.adottaunfilare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/vendemmia-attivita\u0300-didattica-bambini.jpg\")
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The learning experience behind Adopting a Row<\/em> of vines<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>
The project had its beginnings two years ago. It was conceived as an educational activity to engage wine enthusiasts directly by organising several days a year in which the adopters of rows of vines, as well as visitors, gain direct experience of work in the cellar and vineyard.<\/p>\n
The educational objective continues with the activities created<\/strong> for children<\/strong> to transmit awareness of nature; this is the thread running through initiatives throughout the world to get home how urgent it is to change our relationship with the planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>![\"alta-langa-brut-spumante\"](\"https:\/\/www.adottaunfilare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/sensibilizzazione-ambientale-bambini-1.jpg\")
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\nThe Harvest of the Gnomes <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>![\"alta-langa-brut-spumante\"](\"https:\/\/www.adottaunfilare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/adotta-filare-langhe-vendemmia-bambini.jpg\")
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Most children today have never plucked a fruit from a tree or stroked a farm animal. Urban life no longer permits this direct contact with nature. Sara Vezza thinks of her own children when she organises these events dedicated to small children, so that they too, can have the experience of rural life. <\/strong>It is through play\u2013for example, in the various activities of Renato Priola of the Giuca Hills <\/em>where children delve into the practical aspects of everyday farm life <\/strong>to learn the value of nature and her produce.<\/p>\n<\/div>![\"alta-langa-brut-spumante\"](\"https:\/\/www.adottaunfilare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/adotta-filare-langhe-bambini.jpg\")
<\/span><\/div>Responsible transformation of raw materials<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Together is better<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"sara-vezza-winemaker\"](\"https:\/\/www.adottaunfilare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/vendemmia-bambini-progetto-ambientale.jpg\")
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