Preserving Nature to Conserve and Enhance the Territory

The article describes fields as parts of larger systems that include neighbouring meadows, woods, resident animals and migratory species. Environmental preservation is framed as the means of sustaining agriculture for future generations.

The Mediterranean climate brings mild winters and hot summers moderated by steady sea breezes. The surrounding Maremma escaped intensive urbanisation, mass tourism and intensive cultivation through restrained human intervention and long-term decisions by landowners, businesses and public institutions. Low-impact soil management forms part of that approach.

Coastal plains have sandy soils; hills support oak, holm oak, maritime pine, shrubs, herbs and endemic plants; and estate wetlands contain reeds, yellow irises and water lilies. In 1959, Mario Incisa converted an 80-hectare freshwater marsh and its surrounding 440 hectares of forest, wet meadow, fallow land, pasture and cultivated fields into Italy’s first private wildlife refuge.

Mario became a founder and first president of WWF Italy in 1966 and helped build public and institutional recognition of the ecological value of Padule di Bolgheri. Environmentally considerate agriculture and conservation continue as complementary parts of the estate’s responsibility to its land and community.