The Tuscan winery, a pioneer in biodynamic practices, renews its commitment to sustainability through mindful farming methods, eco-friendly materials, and a deep connection to the land
November 25, 2025 (Riparbella – Pisa, Italy) — In the heart of the Tuscan Coast, among the hills overlooking the sea, Caiarossa celebrates an important milestone: twenty years of Demeter biodynamic certification. A journey that began in 1998 with the winery’s founding and was solidified in 2005 with the achievement of certification. Twenty years of work driven by a clear belief: biodynamic practices strengthen the vitality of the land.
“Biodynamics,” explains Francesco Villa, Technical Director of Caiarossa, “is a holistic vision in which every element plays a fundamental role. The main goal is to nourish and protect the entire ecosystem, promoting the vitality of the soil, plants, animals, and insects that inhabit it. For this reason, we strictly avoid the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. We feed the earth with our own compost, produced in-house from manure supplied by a local organic farm and from winemaking residues, and we use biodynamic preparations such as 500, known as horn manure. One indicator of the vitality of our soils is, for example, the abundant presence of earthworms — clear evidence that our farming practices are moving in the right direction. Healthy soil allows the vine to grow in harmony, drawing from it everything it needs for its vegetative development.”
“Every intervention in the vineyard,” Villa continues, “follows the observation of nature’s rhythms, including lunar cycles and the biodynamic calendar, which help us choose the most favorable moment for each task, achieving the best possible results.”
For Caiarossa, combining wine production with respect for the land and fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and nature has always been a concrete philosophy. In this spirit, the architectural design of the winery was conceived to create a healthy environment for those who work there and to harness the force of gravity during the delicate initial stages of winemaking, thus avoiding mechanical stress on the grapes.
But Caiarossa is not only about wine — it is a living, integrated ecosystem made up of olive trees, beehives, a synergistic vegetable garden, and Mediterranean scrubland, which covers about half of the estate’s total area. Every decision, both agricultural and economic, is guided by the desire to protect the land and the people who inhabit it.
Among these initiatives is the organic vegetable garden project, created in collaboration with the children of the Riparbella schools and tended by the winery’s team. The goal is not only to promote biodiversity but also to provide guests and staff with zero-kilometer products grown according to the estate’s principles. The colony of 14 beehives located within the vineyards also plays an essential role in safeguarding the ecosystem, strengthening the connection between cultivation, the environment, and sustainable production.
Respecting the land also means valuing its cultural heritage: Caiarossa’s production of extra virgin olive oil was born from the desire to carry on the olive-growing tradition of the Riparbella hills — fittingly, the area where the winery stands is called Podere Serra all’Olio.
Starting this year, to reduce the use of single-use packaging and promote more durable and environmentally friendly solutions, Caiarossa’s IGP Toscana extra virgin olive oil is available not only in the classic 0.5L glass bottle, but also in 1-, 3-, and 5-liter formats, paired with elegant reusable ceramic cruets crafted by a local artisan.
In keeping with its philosophy of studying and caring for the unique characteristics of the land, Caiarossa also embraces an approach of extreme parcelization of its vineyards: “On our 40 hectares of vineyards,” Villa concludes, “we have 59 parcels with 10 different grape varieties (6 red and 4 white). This fragmentation allows us to fully enhance the pedoclimatic characteristics of each parcel, creating a natural balance that is reflected in the wine. The red varieties we cultivate are Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot; among the whites are Chardonnay, Viognier, Vermentino, and Petit Manseng — a varietal heritage that reflects the winery’s multicultural spirit and its ability to engage in dialogue with the land”.
Sustainability at Caiarossa touches every aspect of the winery, from prioritizing Italian and local suppliers, promoting a short and responsible supply chain, to using natural and eco-friendly materials, such as recycled paper for all promotional materials. This year, the winery also launched a bottle-lightening project, reducing the thickness of the glass to decrease the environmental impact of transportation without compromising the quality of wine preservation.
Twenty years of attention, care, and innovation that Caiarossa carries forward every day and intends to continue into the future.
About Caiarossa
The energy of nature finds momentum and shelter near the medieval village of Riparbella, on the Tuscan Coast: lush vegetation, fruit trees, olive groves, vegetables, and aromatic plants bring to life the colors, scents, and wonder of a truly unique land — the land where Caiarossa stands. A magical light by day, created by the sun’s rays reflecting off the distant sea, and a starry sky by night — the sensation is overwhelming and embraces the winery, red like the heart of the earth, perched on the southwest slope of the hill.
It was in 2004 when Eric Albada Jelgersma decided to purchase an estate in this special part of Italy, bringing with him the expertise he had developed over the years at Château Giscours, a renowned winery in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux region in France.
Eric Albada fell in love with this small yet beautiful winery, immersed in Mediterranean scrubland on the western side of a hill overlooking the sea. Today, his children Dennis, Derk, and Valérie follow in their father’s footsteps, continuing to strive for the highest precision in wine production.
This pursuit is driven by a desire for the closest possible connection with nature’s rhythm. For this reason, from its inception, the winery has adhered to the principles of biodynamic farming, aiming to enhance the vitality and resilience of the soil. Caiarossa wines are unique: refined blends reflect a balance between experimentation and harmony — a virtuous interpretation of the land, seen through French eyes.
