The “ Vareglio” farmstead is situated in the wildest area of the “ PARCO DELLE ROCCHE “, in Canale d’Alba.
This area is well known with the name “ Val du Rat “ which is linked to the shape and to the extent on the map of lands ( 80 giornate) belonging to the “ Varey ( Italian name: Vareglio) which are like a rat.
The farmstead origins date back to the end of XVII century . According to the testimony of Ms Botto Clelia, who was born in “ Varey “ and who can be considered the last descendant of the site owners , the farmstead was built by a wealthy notary by name: Toppino
This fact explains why during that age, when peasant families usually lived in modest conditions, there was already a luxury farmstead.
The farmstead had been furnished, by Toppino’s family, with an outside-bathroom with a toiletbowl, a big luxury during that period when all houses had usually just a hole in the ground.
In the past “ Val du Rat” area became well known because, right there, it was discovered “ Sal Canale”: This discovery was a very important event and it was known in the whole region: Piedmont. The “ Sal Canale” was a natural remedy with laxative effects.
It is probably in the year 1740 that Aloi’s family, who worked as chemists in Canale, looking for herbs, they discovered a white salt mine. After extensive experiments the mixture was brought into market and, in the year 1761, it was recognized by the king Carlo Emanuele, who awarded a prize equal to 500 £.
At the beginning of the XX century Botto’s Family lived in this house: ( Mr Tommaso Eugenio, his father Giuseppe Domenico, his oncle and the family of the last one ) they remained until the year 1930-
Starting from the year 1931 until the year 1948 the farmstead was the accomodation of a sharecroppers’ family who worked in the fields and finally the year 1933 was the right birth – year of one of our partner: Mr Bartolomeo Berrino.
From the year 1948 until the year 2004 the farmstead was uninhabited and empty but the fields had been partly ploughed.