Charlotte Horton, champion of the values and tastes of the earth

An English on the slopes of Monte Amiata, Tuscany, in the Castle of Potentino. So much passion and talent to produce excellent olive oils and wines

by L. C.

Charlotte was born in Chelsea, London, in 1963. She took her degree in Literature and then worked for Vogue, the publishing house, Secker and Warburg and then as a free lance journalist. In 1988, she began operating in Italy.

Her family has owned and restored property in the Province of Grosseto for over 40 years, including two of the area's most important architectural monuments, the Castello di Montepo and currently the Castello di Potentino Her activities have consisted of wine, food and olive oil production, restoration, event organizing, cultural promotion and such like..

The Castello di Potentino is situated in the Grosseto area, on the slopes of the Monte Amiata near Seggiano. The foundations of the Castle date from Etruscan times and the main structure Renaissance. The estate is made up of 4 hectares of D.O.C Montecucco vineyards and about 500 ancient olive trees, the olivastra seggianese56 variety, indigenous to the area. The estate has received five out of five in The Guida Espresso, four out of five in Decanter. This year Potentino was awarded the star for originality and continuity of quality from the Guida Espresso.

Why do you decide to make business in farming?
Because I believe that certain values and tastes must be maintained and protected. Taste is an unrecognised human right. It enables people to discriminate and judge. It you take that away from them by homogenizing the production of food and wine, identity is lost and we become victims of the shopping mall culture. Nature dies from lack of consideration and ultimately so do we.

Do you feel more a peasant, a farmer or a business men?
I think the contact you have with nature and your surroundings and people is more important than social terminology. Business is a fantastic ephemeral projection. Farmers have been subjected to make economic considerations based on this projected momentary world at the expense of nature. The word peasant has been turned into a derogatory term by politicians who needed a malleable work forces for industrial developments in cities where the votes are concentrated.

A definition of farming.
Modern farming... market driven pollution and poison for the consumer.

An adjective for defining the world of farming.
Modern farming... dishonest.

A keyword for the future of farming.
Change.

A model men.
Batman (and Robin).

Someone to… go to the hell.
Politicians, Bankers and Priests.

A book concerning the rural world you’d suggest to read.
Los Ranchos by Isabel de Estrada about rural life in Argentina.

Your favorite book.
Marcel Proust, A La Recherche du Temps Perdu.

Your favorite song or composition.
Schubert's Wintereisen - The Crow in particular Any Abba, Iggy Pop and Michael Jackson.

Your unforgettable movie.
“The Leopard” by Luchino Visconti.

What would you like to find after passing away?
No politicians or bankers or priests.