Local, sustainable and female-driven. If those are the qualities you value most when supporting businesses, then look none other than to Braja. Piemontese dialect for “shout,” the farmhouse turned dining experience has given itself a voice that demands to be heard.
Located in the quaint town of Sommarivia del Bosco, just a stone’s throw from Torino, Braja is definitely a place you’re going to want to add on your itinerary nelle Langhe. A farm, a pantry, a natural wine (and artisanal beer!) shop, and the ideal spot for an aperitivo, Braja is a whole vibe.
The brainchild of the talented UniSG alum, Sara Olocco, Braja has quickly made its way into the hearts of many since its opening amidst the pandemic in 2020. Defying the odds, with the support of the community flocking to the farmhouse, the business has been able to thrive and grow.
An inspiration to young ladies like myself, I so admire what Sara has created. An example for women and for entrepreneurs alike, what makes the business so special is the focus on supporting local and slow businesses. With close relationships to producers, good food with integrity is what ends up on patron’s plates and swirling around in their glasses.
A place not only for strangers to break bread at a communal long table together, Braja is also a hub for learning. They offer classes and workshops with local businesses and restaurateurs also. But that’s not all, you can also pop by the farmhouse to pick up some delicious goods from their pantry and wine shop.
Made straight from their little backyard orto, you can find products like linden honey, tomato sauce and even pear compote. Meanwhile all other goodies are 0-km, meaning they’re crafted by local producers and artisans, many of which happen to be female-led businesses as well. Anything from roasted hazelnuts, vegetable spreads, sustainably-sourced rice and flours, there’s something to make you drool!
The wine, beer and spirits lining the shelves also focus on supporting other local producers, with many following organic, biodynamic or sustainable methods...a way of drinking that appeals to many former UniSG students.
My first experience at Braja was this past June as the weather was starting to heat up all around us and we gathered as a group from our Master program, one of the last times we would all be in each other’s company. While the emotions of the final aperitivo were already strong enough, the fabulously chic backdrop of Braja just added to the romance of it all.
While summer is met with sunkissed aperitivo accompanied by fresh pea and pickled onion crostini and artichoke-liqueur Spritz, the colder months are instead met with one-too-many calice of Barbera by the crackling fireplace on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Rural but contemporary, Braja is a uniquely rustic and immersive food experience. What else could you ask for?