From July 23 to 25, the Aosta Valley welcomed ten food industry professionals from Germany and Sweden for an incoming experience dedicated to discovering Fontina DOP, its territory, and the supply chain that preserves its identity and quality every day.
The initiative is part of REAL Fontina DOP, a project co-funded by the European Union, dedicated to promoting Fontina DOP and highlighting the values that define European quality-certified products.
Content creators, specialized journalists, chefs, and restaurant professionals took part in a journey designed to go beyond simply learning about the product, giving them the opportunity to see, meet, and experience firsthand everything behind a wheel of Fontina DOP. Three days to discover a product starting from its origins, connecting with the territory, the people, and the traditions that shape its identity.
One of the highlights of the incoming experience was the journey to the Tsa de Morgnoz Alpine pasture, at an altitude of 2,300 meters. Surrounded by the Aosta Valley’s Alpine landscape, participants had the opportunity to observe some of the traditional stages of Fontina DOP production, explore the mountain pastures, and meet the native Valdostana cattle.
The experience offered a tangible understanding of how deeply territory, farming, and production are interconnected, and of the essential role the Alpine environment plays in defining the identity of Fontina DOP. The day continued with a scenic walk through the mountain landscape to Rifugio Mont Fallère, followed by a lunch dedicated to traditional Aosta Valley cuisine.
The journey through the Fontina DOP supply chain continued in Valpelline with a visit to the Fontina DOP Museum and the historic cheese-aging cellars. This gave guests the opportunity to discover another fundamental stage in the life of the product and explore the heritage of knowledge, places, and traditions that accompanies Fontina from production through maturation.
The table also became an integral part of the story. The institutional dinner on July 24, held at L’Osteria in Aosta, was designed to showcase Fontina DOP within the broader context of the Aosta Valley’s gastronomic heritage and demonstrate its versatility in the kitchen.
The evening featured dishes including polenta concia with Fontina DOP and Aosta Valley-style crespelle with Fontina DOP and ham, alongside other specialties representative of the local cuisine and accompanied by a selection of Aosta Valley wines.
The dinner was also attended by Andrea Barmaz, President of the Consortium of Fontina DOP Producers and Protection, the Consortium’s Director, and representatives of Fontina DOP producers, giving the delegation another opportunity to engage directly with those who are part of the supply chain every day. The evening concluded with remarks from President Andrea Barmaz, who welcomed the international guests and highlighted the value of Fontina DOP, its territory, and the people who contribute every day to preserving its identity.
Three days in the Aosta Valley allowed the professionals involved to discover Fontina DOP from a perspective that traditional communication activities can hardly replicate: starting from the places and people that make it unique.
This is precisely where the work of I Love Italian Food and Istituto 100% Italiano comes into play: creating opportunities for direct encounters between Italian food supply chains and international professionals who can bring their values, stories, and knowledge back to their own markets. Incoming experiences therefore become a way to turn knowledge of a product into a firsthand experience and to build relationships that continue long after participants return home.
With REAL Fontina DOP, the international story begins at its roots: in the Aosta Valley, among its Alpine pastures and producers, bringing a more authentic and informed understanding of Fontina DOP to the world.
