Restoring the building

When we arrived Cascina Desderi in the middle of March 2003 and saw the two old houses on the hilltop with 360 degrees views – bella vista – towards the Monferrato hills in the south backed by the Maritime Alps, the impressive summits of the French Alps in the west and the south facing slopes of the vines that formed a green blanket underneath us, the intuition told us that we had come home. We had found the ideal location. And since the type of grape growing here was the Barbera, the decision was an easy one. The one minor thing to settle was the price, terms and closing date and then establish whether official regulations permitted the conversion from a traditional farm to agro tourism – an operative farm with rental apartments. And last, but not least – we had to find a builder that could be responsible for the entire project; to convert the two houses that were in shambles into apartment suites that would satisfy the most discerning guest. We are forever grateful to Ute and Angelike, the two realtors from Piedmont Properties who navigated us through the Italian bureaucracy and banking system and introduced us to our “Geometra”. The geometra is the architect, the planner, the liaison between the City Hall and the builder, the one who collects all permits and important stamps to make things happen. Geometra Pesce made things happen, the master builder Jose did not have the word imposible in his vocabulary – and since we did not even speak tourist Italian, it was a blessing that the Geometra’s son, Alfonso (who studies architecture in Genoa) spoke English and was present at most meetings. When he was not there and we needed assistance with language and translations, we always could count on Elisabeth at the Hotel Reale – our second home in the start-up-phase. Now it is February, and the building is in progress – the main house is 99% completed, and the guest apartments are under construction.”

Trond and Roald took over Cascina Desderi on July 11th 2003. As soon as the Italian industrial holiday – ferie – was over at the end of August, the restoration process started. The renovation of the main house – Casa Padronale – was under way from September to December, and on December 23 they could greet the first guests a warm welcome; guests from the Moby Dick era that had become personal friends stayed from Christmas to New Years. Then another group of friends arrived to celebrated New Years on the farm – Cascina Desderi had greeted its first guests and was underway to become a vineyard “hotel”.

As these lines are being written, the building process is on a steady course – and the timeframe for the entire project “Cascina Desderi” – is as follows:

Casa Padronale, 200 sq. meters – with gourmet kitchen including fireplace and forno (pizza oven), living/dining room, library/lounge, bedrooms, bathrooms, hall, laundry and terrace and balcony are 99% completed. The end of February will se the main house 100% finished with the old glory of yesteryears intact plus all the amenities of the 21st century, in place.

La cantina – the wine cellar – a guildhall like underground storage room for wine and produce, has been sandblasted and brought back to its original glory. 200 years old red bricks in a fishbone pattern under impressive arches. Unfortunately all the old barrels – some local and the old Slovenian oak barrels – were too rotten and full of fungi to revive and use in the forthcoming wine production. What remains to be done is the rewiring of electricity, spots in the ceiling to accentuate the old bricks and lay tiles on the floors. Luckily we have a multitude of old and antique “cotto”, that will be the new “old” floor of the wine cellar. We still have one year to decide whether to be “modernists” and use the small French barrique barrels – or be “traditionalists” and use the large, Slovenian oak barrels. Time will show….

Cascina Desderi will start its own wine production in 2005, or more correctly; we will take over the vines and the vineyard on 11.11.04. From then on we will have the full responsibility of the pruning, binding, spraying, trimming, picking and harvesting – the whole process from pruning to bottling. The aim is to have our own production of Cascina Desderi’s Barbera d’Asti Vino Rosso, ready to serve for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. The cantina is app. 100 square meters and is in immaculate condition and perfect for storing in barrels and bottles. When the wine production is well under way and the shelves and barrels are bountiful, we will arrange wine tasting and other events under the arches of the old cellar.

Refurbishing
When we arrived Cascina Desderi a sunny day in March 2003, we were immediately impressed by the splendid location, the wonderful vistas in all directions and the vines with light green leaves – lined up straight as arrows on the southern, sloping hill. What did NOT impress us was the condition of the buildings and the overall shabby appearance of the entire place. A ramshackle shed was leaning against the façade and an old tarpaulin was flapping in the wind, trash and waste from the last 50 years were allover, dogs and cats were barking and miaowing in a false duet – while the hens and roster were walking freely, and the baby chickens flew all over to get away from the cat’s claws. Our elegant realtor, Ute de Vargas - a retired opera singer – pulled the shawl around herself, and exclaimed: “This is absurd, however, you must see through all this shit and rubble and envision the potential this place has.” We had brought our Finnish friend Irene along as a consultant as she speaks fluent Italian. She also thought the place was absurd. She did, however, see the potential and fell in love with the place that very moment. We clearly saw the potential as well, but our love affair had to be somewhat more realistic – lots of renovations were obviously necessary (we have been involved in building previously in Florida and Norway), so we wanted to get some experts’ opinions before committing ourselves.

Upon returning the last week of April the region was even more stunningly beautiful than before – the whole region seemed to be in full bloom, and even the place had started to undergo some initial cleaning and general renovation. We brought with us our building partner from Florida, Jeff and his wife Suzanne, an engineer uncle and aunt, and a Swedish lady from California. The 80-year-old engineer uncle would definitely not even consider a project like that at his age, but maybe if he had been younger…. The aunt wondered where to begin? The American builder recommended to “knock the whole shit down, bulldoze it!” – while the Missus said; “it’s a challenge guys, and lots, and lots of work.” The Swede from California wondered about the plumbing, if there were hot and cold water – “and where’s the toilet?” (There was none, just a hole in the floor next to the barn…).

The condition of the vines was immaculate as they had been nursed and cultivated by a competent and responsible caretaker. The grape and wine perspective was such a vital factor… neglected vines overgrown by weed and full of fungi are beyond repair and are irreplaceable – but houses! They can be fixed. The inevitable question was; does one dare to start a project like this in another country - in a country so tainted with the most horrible and fearful stories of cheated people and a culture of bribes. Would the language – or lack there of – be a major disadvantage? After all, we would not be able to communicate while in the initial stages of the building process. And what about contractors, permits and the infamous Italian bureaucracy? Would we get the necessary building permits, and could the architects, notaries, lawyers, artisans and workers be trusted? And what about this guy with the suspicious title “geometra”?

We spent May doing our preparations and checked whatever was possible from the USA. We negotiated in June, reached an agreement at the end of the month, and closed on the property on July 11, 2003. Checks changed hands, a handshake – then we had the key ring in our hands. We were the proud proprietors of a vineyard. This was, however, only the beginning. Now the real work is about to begin. Renovation, refurbishing and restoration – it had to be done with respect for traditions and old styles. We had to be humble and incorporate everything Piemontese with an open mind. This region is immensely proud of its cultural inheritance; on one hand they welcome foreign investors – they restore old farms, villas and villages that the Italians themselves have long neglected, on the other hand they demand that the local customs and traditions are honored. Of all this we were perfectly aware, and started the project with a humble go-ahead spirit!

The process
We have to admit; all our doubts and worries about finances, payments, permits, contractors, artisans and workers had been in vain. On all aspects they have followed up, and the trust that they have put in us have been formidable. We cannot praise our geometra, the contractor and all his workers and artisans high enough. This praise is given in February, while the first building phase has been completed – and the second one is well underway.

The following description is rather detailed, and is geared towards those with a special interest in renovation and building:

First Phase (99% completed)
Status on the main house (from 1860) was as follows when we took it over: The roof was leaking, ceiling tiles missing and beams party rotten, water had seeped in through the arched ceilings and walls and caused fungi to spread. All floors were uneven and the tiles had to be taken up. It was running cold water in the kitchen, but no waste water system – only a pipe going out through a hole in the wall. No bath or toilet. The only heating was from a wood burning fireplace and a kitchen stove. Two other fireplaces were sealed tight. All windows dried out and partly rotten, partly broken windowpanes. The house had originally had 21 windows, now most of the window spaces facing north had been covered with cement. The façade of the house was completely destroyed. Outside were window shutters cracked and falling apart. The old balcony felt unsafe and was too small for today’s need for outdoor space. Exterior and interior doors too tight or loose and hard to open/close. Electric cords partly ruined with copper shining through. An old staircase leading down to the wine cellar was partly gone with an open shaft at the bottom. The wine cellar “cantina” was nice and dry, but full of dirt, dust and hundred years’ old cobwebs, cockroaches and numerous other insects from the darkness of the Italian countryside.

After having accepted the offer from the geometra, the workers went full steam ahead in the beginning of September – and the following has been done:

The entire roof demolished, new beams and eternit cover in place with “new antique” ceiling tiles laid. New gutters in copper. 3 new chimneys. The stucco removed from the whole house. All windows except for 3 taken out. All old floor tiles taken out, as these are antique, they have been rinsed and polished and laid back in place – due to some breakage the floors will be laid back in cotto (antique tiles), granite and mosaic medallions combined. Mould and old clay from underneath the cotto taken up and carried out. All water, gas, electric and heating pipes for radiators will be covered in the floors – to serve kitchen and baths, the gas stove, electric outlets of the entire house and central heating. The entire el, water and gas system will be entirely covered and hacked into the redbrick and stucco. A system for alarm, TV, telephone, parabola, gate phone and opener is installed simultaneously. A new upstairs balcony with dimensions 15 x 2.5 meters is constructed to replace the little, old one, this new balcony will serve as ceiling for the portico terrace on the ground floor. 5 French doors installed, 6 locked up and covered windows opened up and replaced with brand new ones. The new number of windows are back to the original 21. New front door and door to terrace. New window sills in marble. New railing in cast iron on staircase. New window bars for ground floor. 42 door and window shutters. New iron bar door facing the portico and new iron bars for cantina windows. New staircase leading down to wine cellar. New wooden handrail. 3 new fire places and a forno. Gourmet kitchen in chestnut with antique – rustico look – fully integrated. New toilets, bidets, showers & cabinets, tub and vanity sinks and bathroom furniture. Laundry room. 10 exterior lamps.

Coinciding with above the following has been completed outdoors: Dig down a subterranean septic tanks and pipes, these will be connected with those of the rental apartments. Dig down a subterranean gas tank and lead in pipes to the main house and cascina respectively. New exterior electricity to support increased power inside. Dig down new water and thicker water pipes and connect with official water system.

Second phase – in the works:
Status on “la Cascina” – the rental apartments to be – was as follows at the time of closing:

The roof was leaking, ceiling tiles missing and beams party rotten, water had seeped in above the barn part of the building, but due to the fact that there was a dirt floor this had caused no severe damage. All the floors in the farmer’s quarters were in acceptable condition, albeit somewhat uneven. The floors still need to be broken up, including the old “cotto” – the floor tiles, as electricity, water, gas, wastewater, radiator heating, TV and telephone pipes/lines will be hidden in the floors. It was running cold water in the kitchen, but no waste water pipe as the water was carried out in buckets. No bath or toilet. Only heating was from a wood-burning kitchen stove. Three other fireplaces were sealed tight. Most windows dried out and partly rotten, partly broken windowpanes. Some of the outside window shutters were cracked and falling apart. Exterior and interior doors too tight, impractical or loose and hard to open/close. Electric cords partly ruined with copper shining through. The old portico is about to fall to pieces.
The farmer’s living quarters: Surprisingly in better condition than the main house, and the 4 main rooms there will be no need for severe renovation.
The hay loft: No ceiling, open towards the interior roof and tiles. Walls and floors of good standard.
The barn: Dirt floors and no ceiling, open up to tiles of exterior roof. No windows as they had been sealed off and closed with bricks.
The stable: beautiful old ceiling in good condition, cement floor and old & cracked windows.
Portico: Falling apart, cannot be saved, must be torn down.

The following work is now in progress (mid February):
The old cotto has been taken off all floors in the living quarters. These are to be cleaned and rinsed to be floor in the catina. They are digging with an excavator 60 cm down to allow the ceiling height to become 2.70 m. and to give space for all the pipes and lines. They are cutting through brick and cement walls to give space for connecting doors between all apartments.

When all the excavation work is finished, the scaffolding are built around the house and the following work will start:

Dismantle the entire old roof, a brand new one will be built with new breams, and eternit cover in place with “new antique” ceiling tiles laid. New gutters in copper. 8 new chimneys. The stucco removed from the whole house. All windows taken out. All old floor tiles taken out and saved, as these are antique. Mould and old clay from underneath the cotto taken up and carried out. All water, gas, electric and heating pipes for radiators will be covered in the floors – to serve kitchen and baths, the gas stove, electric outlets of the entire house and central heating. The entire el, water and gas system will be entirely covered and hacked into the redbrick and stucco. A system for alarm, TV, telephone, and parabola. The old balcony from the main house will be replaced outside the landing of the staircase, and will be for exclusive use of he Cortese apartment. Two new 1st floor staircases and balconies will be built outside the Barbera and Dolcetto Apartments. A new portico will be built outside Nebbiolo, and terraces will be built outside Moscato and Brachetto. New front doors and door to terraces. New panorama windows, sliding doors and window sills in marble. 7 fireplaces and one forno. New window bars for ground floor. New toilets, bidets, showers & cabinets, tub and vanity sinks and bathroom furniture. Laundry room. Office & reception area. Caldaya – radiator room and hot water tank. When all this in completed, the actual design of the apartments will commence – with textiles, furniture, paint, kitchens and decoration in general.

Third phase – the last:

The last building phase will at times take place simultaneously with the second. The wine production hall of Casa Grignolino will be built as a casina on the ground/subterranean floor, while the apartment will be built on top of it in the old “rustico” style. The ground floor will house the production hall for the newly harvested wine in temperature controlled steel tanks. A big sterile room with tiles, constructed according to the latest EU regulations – and also those of the Norwegian Wine & Spirit Monopoly.

The first floor will include the apartment exclusively. We are applying for 80-100 sq. m. As this will be a new construction – still kept in the rustico style, the geometra assumes the building process will be considerably shorter than the refurbishing of the old houses. As per today an exact date has still not been set, but the aim is to have it finished in September.

Simultaneously the swimming pool is built, the terraces for the apartments in the ground floors are laid and planted, and the entire outdoor area, courtyard and gardens will be planned by a landscape architect – to plan a garden that will be green for 12 months, the flowerbeds are to blossom spring, summer and fall. A vegetable and herb garden will be part of it. The last touch is given the courtyard, garden paths, lawns and pool area.