La Selva

Organic cherries from Celleno, a land dedicated to cherry growing in Lazio for over five centuries

From fresh fruit to Maraschino sour cherries, a completely organic supply chain in the heart of Tuscia.

La Selva: A story of cherries in Lazio's most charming ghost town.

A celleno, in the province of Viterbo, stands La Selva: one of the most recognized agricultural companies in Lazio for the production of organic cherries and of all the noble family of the drupaceous which grows magnificently in the heart of the Tuscia viterbese. Celleno is a name that immediately evokes history: the famous “ghost town” perched on a tuff spur abandoned after the earthquakes of the twentieth century, today one of the most evocative cultural tourism destinations in central Italy, and - above all - one of the territories historically most suited to cherry growing in Lazio, with documentary references dating back to the distant 1457: beyond five and a half centuries of continued hazelnut tradition.

1457: over five centuries of Cellenese cherry tradition

The territory of Celleno, shaped by the ancient volcanic activity of the Cimini Mountains and Vulsini Mountains, is equipped with volcanic soils rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and rare trace elements which give the fruit unique organoleptic characteristics. It is in this privileged geological niche that La Selva cultivates - in absolutely organic management — a very rich variety of stone fruits: Cherries in their many local varieties (the famous Celleno Cherry is the guardian of a rare varietal biodiversity), Sour cherries, Sour cherries, Apricots e PlumsEach row of vines in the Cellenese vineyards is a small botanical cathedral dedicated to a specific variety: during visits to the company, Carlo — guardian of this heritage — personally accompanied us to discover each fruit, telling anecdotes, stories, and cultivation secrets passed down from generation to generation.

From fresh fruit to jams, cherry honey and traditional products

La Selva's assortment spans the entire artisanal processing chain. In addition to the fresh seasonal cherries — available in the months of May and June, when the Cellenese countryside turns red — the company produces artisanal jams of cherry, black cherry, sour cherry, apricot and plum, processed naturally to preserve the authentic flavour of the fruit. A particularly valuable product is the Cherry Honey, rare and precious, obtained from the bees that pollinate the cherry orchards during the short but intense spring flowering period. Among the traditional specialties, the Cherries in Vin Cotto (ancient conservation technique of Tuscia), the Sour cherries in the sun (naturally dried using peasant methods) and the Black Cherries in Syrup, perfect for desserts and food pairings.

Maraschino di Visciole: the signature liqueur of Tuscia

The jewel in the crown of La Selva is the famous Maraschino of Sour Cherries, a craft liqueur that has won over connoisseurs throughout Italy. Made by infusing the organic sour cherries from Celleno in pure alcohol, according to the traditional recipe handed down in the Viterbo area, it is the perfect after-dinner liqueur: it goes wonderfully with the classic pastry shop from Tuscia — zuppa inglese, tozzetti, fruit tarts, chocolate or cream desserts. sour cherry (Prunus cerasus var. austera) is a wild variety of cherry with more decisive acidic and aromatic notes than the sweet cherry, particularly appreciated since the Middle Ages for the production of liqueurs and fortified wines in the courts of the Viterbo counts and the Papal States.

The new frontier: Tuscia Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

La Selva's range has recently been enriched with a new sector of excellence: theOrganic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from TusciaA range divided into four distinct proposals, each designed for specific gastronomic uses. The blend “Tuscia BIO” It is the versatile oil for every occasion. Monovarietal “Canino” It expresses an intense fruity flavour, particularly suitable for seasoning grilled meat dishes and bruschetta. “Leccino” It is ideal for classic pan cooking and for vegetables. “Crognolo”, with a more delicate and elegant profile, is perfect for fish dishes and white meats. Four different identities of the same land, an expression of the varietal richness of Viterbo olive growing.

Why choose La Selva

Choosing La Selva means embracing the authentic short supply chain from Tuscia: means bringing to the table fruits grown on exceptional volcanic soils, harvested when fully ripe, transformed into jams and liqueurs according to traditional Viterbo recipes. It means rewarding a company that has made integral organic management its own signature identity, and of Carlo who preserves with personal passion every variety of his fruit heritage. It also means, simply, enjoying the unique flavors of the land of cherries, of a tradition that spans over five centuries and is renewed today in the noblest form of Italian organic farming.