Castagna di Vallerano

Castagna di Vallerano is a PDO-protected chestnut grown exclusively within the Municipality of Vallerano, in the province of Viterbo, Lazio. It belongs to a local ecotype of Castanea sativa Miller, classified by size into large, medium, and small grades, and is distinguished by a thin reddish-brown pericarp, a suede-coloured episperm that does not penetrate the seed's main grooves, and white, crunchy flesh with a sweet taste.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-IT-0474, with EU protection dating from 3 March 2005 and eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013758, Castagna di Vallerano covers chestnuts of the local Castanea sativa Miller ecotype produced solely within the territory of the Municipality of Vallerano, province of Viterbo. No production from outside that municipality may carry the designation. The specification defines three size grades: large (50–70 achenes per kilogram of fresh product), medium (71–95 achenes per kilogram), and small (96–120 achenes per kilogram). The pericarp bears between 25 and 30 raised, darker-coloured vertical striations. Compositional parameters for the edible part are stated in the specification. Planting density must be maintained at between 50 and 100 plants per hectare. Harvesting takes place between 20 September and 10 November each year, either manually or by machine, provided the product is not damaged. Preservation is by cold bath treatment with no additives or by sterilisation through hot bath followed by cold bath, again with no additives. All production, grading, sizing, processing, and preservation operations must be carried out within the production area; packaging may take place outside it. The chestnut groves are entered in registers held and updated by the inspection body, the Camera di commercio industria artigianato e agricoltura di Viterbo. The product is released in sealed bags of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 30 kg bearing an irremovable label with the designation's oval logo. Adjectives such as 'extra', 'fine', 'selezionata', and 'superiore' are expressly prohibited on labelling.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 3 March 2005 under file number PDO-IT-0474 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013758).
• The production area is restricted exclusively to the Municipality of Vallerano, province of Viterbo; no other territory qualifies.
• Harvesting is permitted only between 20 September and 10 November each year.
• Planting density must be between 50 and 100 plants per hectare, and preservation must use no additives.

Tasting notes

Lazio chestnut from Vallerano (Viterbo province), Marrone Vallerano variety. Large mahogany shell, sweet flesh.

HoReCa use

Caldarroste, candied, in Lazio autumn dishes, ingredient in chestnut-honey desserts.

Packaging

• crate-10kg
• crate-15kg

Seasonality