Melise Farm is the green heart of Castel del Giudice, a project born in 2003 to restore life to more than 50 hectares of farmland that time had abandoned. From that intuition has blossomed an enterprise symbolic of new sustainable agriculture, which today grows organic apple orchards with varieties native to the Apennines and types of apples perfect for the mountain climate.
The landscape changes face with the seasons: in spring the white and pink buds transform the apple orchards into a bucolic picture, in autumn the foliage gives warm hues, and ripe fruit awaits harvest. Golden Lasa, Gala, Fuji, RedChief and Renette apples coexist with ancient varieties kept in the Old Apple Garden, a sort of ark of biodiversity where almost forgotten fruits such as Limoncella, Zitella and Gelata are rediscovered. Here you can participate in guided tours, learning to recognize more than 60 types of rare apples.
Next to the apple orchards sits the Malto Lento farm brewery, where locally grown barley and hops combine with organic apples to create Alto Molise’s first farm beer.
Melise is not just a farm, but a true territorial regeneration experience. Through organic farming, the farm promotes genuine products, protects the landscape and motivates young people to stay in the mountains, offering economic and cultural prospects. In its farm store it is possible to buy fresh apples, juices, compotes and other by-products, bringing home the authentic scents and flavors of the Molise Apennines.