The True Story of Birgale, Rosa and Nocciolo Wizard

They say that in ancient times, in the highlands of Asiago, an evil spell made all the hazel trees and hazelnuts disappear. That shortage severely harmed nature and the inhabitants of Salbanelli, namely the gnomes who lived in the seven highland realms.

Birgale, a young gnome, and Skiro, his squirrel friend, go out in search of the last hazel tree and find Rosa, an enchanted flower that has also fallen victim to the spell. Rosa tells the young gnome about the ancient legend and day by day the two fall in love. Birgale will manage to break the wicked spell and, with Nocciolo Wizard’s help hazel trees and hazelnuts will be blooming again in the highlands,

bringing new abundance to the gnomes and the territory. Moreover, Nocciolo Wizard gives the gnomes the recipe for a wonderful hazelnut cream which, over the years, has been shared with humans. Even today, this cream, handed down from generation to generation and produced by Rigoni di Asiago, has tickled the taste buds of many children around the world.