"Continuous research, a passion for the countryside and local tradition are combined in an ambitious project, which has grown year after year, and has created Azienda Agricola Lucia. To us, agriculture is not just a job, but a mission. We are very proud of it, considering we are producers of a Slow Food presidium."
"Over the years, Azienda Agricola Lucia managed to innovate and implement across-the-board commercial and production policies, becoming a point of reference for the production of the so-called Rosa di Gorizia, both on the Italian and European markets," explains owner and external relations manager, Andrea Gattersco.
As it is so appealing, nice, sweet and rare, it is inevitably expensive. Rosa di Gorizia is the most expensive radicchio in the world.
"We grow this precious winter radicchio on 10 hectares. It is a typically local product that only grows in the Gorizia countryside and looks like a flower. All producers safeguard the secrets passed down through generations for the production of this true gem of Italian biodiversity."
It was Baron Carl Von Czoernig, an Austrian official of the Habsburg Empire, who first described it in his "Gorizia, the Austrian Nice" treatise in 1784.
Rosa di Gorizia is a winter vegetable that looks like a deep-coloured rose.
While its appearance would be enough to make this product unique, its delicate crunchiness makes this variety the king of winter radicchio. The best chefs require it for their gourmet creations and that is why Rosa di Gorizia has become the most renowned radicchio on a global level.
"Our skills, experience, search for perfection and passion for our land are behind each single head. Sowing is traditionally carried out before Easter, then we leave common weeds to invade the fields."
"Weeds grow far quicker than our radicchio and therefore cover it blocking the sunlight. Growth is blocked but, in the meantime, the root system can grow up to 30 cm deep. This in turn means this variety does not really need to be irrigated in the summer, as it gets its sustenance from the soil, from which it also absorbs the ferrous component that gives it its characteristic colour."
The more it is mistreated while growing, the better. The roots are very deep and resistant, therefore snow and frost do not affect harvesting. Such strength derives from a sort of plant pureness selection, however plants become extremely delicate during harvesting. In the summer, all the weeds are cleaned up and the radicchio continues to grow until harvesting in late November.
Whitening is then carried out naturally, i.e. by placing the produce in a sheltered environment away from sunlight on a warm bed. Here, outer leaves rot and Rosa di Gorizia buds grow in the heart of the head.
The production phase ends with final cleaning, during which 80% of the leaves are removed.
The selection of the "buds" is carried out by hand and only the ones resembling a red rose are chosen.
In addition to the fresh produce to be enjoyed in winter, Agricola Lucia also created Rosa di Gorizia, an organic, extra-virgin olive oil, made using only Italian high-quality products. It is excellent paired with cheese and meat dishes.
"Our commercial partners are niche markets in China, the Arab Emirates, Germany, Austria and Russia, that can afford a product that is the most expensive radicchio in the world."
"Our work and desire to combine flavour and crunchiness are what makes for excellence in the kitchen, and which is only found inside a Rosa di Gorizia jar."
"We keep local traditions alive with our work and pursue a sustainable way of doing agriculture. The entire Rosa di Gorizia production is zero-residue because we follow nature's rhythms, with no human intervention on yields."
