Casa Wilden Comes to Life: Wilden Herbals’ New Research Lab Set to Revolutionize Herbal Infusions at the Bar
Just a few kilometers from Milan, within the Giulio Natta Innovation Center by Simbiosi in Giussago (PV), a new space for analysis and experimentation dedicated to medicinal plants has been created, revolutionizing the way herbal teas and infusions are prepared — now also made through espresso extraction.
Wilden Herbals, the Italian brand redefining the world of natural herbal teas through innovation, sustainability, and high botanical quality, inaugurates Casa Wilden: the first lab dedicated to the study of extraction and infusion of medicinal plants. This space is permanently located within the Giulio Natta Innovation Center in Giussago, the first Italian NBS Valley® (Nature-Based Solution), where nature, technology, people, and innovation coexist in symbiosis. It is here, after months of research, that Herbpress was born — an espresso infusion system that makes it possible to extract herbal teas using a coffee machine.
Casa Wilden is not only a research lab; it is also the heart of a larger agricultural project aimed at enhancing local medicinal plants. Starting in spring 2025, several varieties were planted in the fields surrounding the facility, selected for their connection to local biodiversity. Wilden will oversee the harvesting and experimentation, with the goal of studying their potential for botanical extraction and the development of new functional recipes.
The Research Lab
The Giulio Natta Innovation Center is the headquarters of Simbiosi, a company working with patented nature-inspired technologies that operate across resource efficiency, circular economy, and nature-based solutions. The center spans over 1,000 hectares of open-air labs with experimental fields, pilot plant installations, climate chambers, and more. It hosts innovative organizations focused on sustainability and provides a fertile environment for Wilden to develop new projects, thanks to its laboratories, multidisciplinary expertise, and entrepreneurial synergies. Here, the Wilden team will focus on environmentally respectful cultivation practices for medicinal plants, the creation of new natural extraction techniques, the formulation of new functional botanical blends, and the evaluation of the phytochemical properties of medicinal herbs.
“The Giulio Natta Innovation Center in Giussago is the perfect place to imagine the future of phytotherapy and natural wellness: here we have the opportunity to grow, conduct research, and collaborate with a dynamic network of companies and researchers,” says Nicola Robecchi, founder of Wilden Herbals. “We chose Simbiosi because it’s the ideal setting to combine innovation with respect for nature, in a context that actively promotes biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. Our research lab at Casa Wilden is a fundamental step to explore new ways of extracting and processing medicinal plants, while respecting their integrity and minimizing environmental impact. We want to create products that are not only healthy and good, but also serve as true manifestos of biodiversity and agricultural sustainability — where science, nature, and innovation meet.”
Herbpress: the Espresso-Style Infusion Revolutionizing Herbal Teas
Among Casa Wilden’s innovations is Herbpress, a response to the modern need for convenience without compromising quality. A groundbreaking international concept, it allows functional herbal teas to be prepared in seconds using traditional espresso machines. It’s not an invasive process but one made possible by a specially designed portafilter, developed in collaboration with IMS (Industria Materiali Stampati S.p.A.), a global leader in espresso filter and accessory production. With scientific support from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Herbpress merges artisanal quality with technological innovation, addressing needs for convenience, sustainability, and well-being.
Herbpress blends are free of caffeine, added sugars, or artificial flavors and preserve the full natural phytochemical properties of medicinal herbs. It’s possible to create a concentrated infusion like an espresso, or a broader version resembling a botanical cappuccino.
The first official pre-launch of Herbpress will take place in June at the international World of Coffee 2025 fair in Geneva, presenting four blends, including two pure herbs (Lemon Verbena and Hoji Green Tea) and one recipe developed with brand ambassador Niccolò Avanzi. The final version of Herbpress, expected in autumn 2025, will feature modular components, easier maintenance, and compatibility with a broader range of botanicals, including powdered herbs.
Credits: Webby Marketing
Agricultural Project: Cultivating Biodiversity and Sustainability
The agricultural project around Casa Wilden aims to promote sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants with a strong focus on enhancing local biodiversity. Starting in spring 2025, several endemic varieties were planted around the research lab, carefully selected to reflect and support the native flora of the South Milan Agricultural Park. These plants,
grown using regenerative and environmentally friendly methods, will be used directly in extraction experiments and in the creation of new functional botanical recipes.
The goal is to create a local agricultural network that not only respects biodiversity but expresses it through regenerative farming, supporting ecological balance and preserving the territory. Developed in synergy with the Wilden research team, this agricultural initiative represents the green heart of Casa Wilden and its mission to promote authentic well-being, rooted in nature.
Simbiosi and the Giulio Natta Innovation Center
The Giulio Natta Innovation Center in Giussago (PV) is a unique project in Italy, combining regenerative agriculture, scientific research, and advanced agroecological practices. Located just outside Milan, it promotes systemic circularity and Smart Land models — territories integrated with resource-efficiency technologies, circular economy practices, and environmental regeneration, designed for industries, utilities, and landowners. The Innovation Center is located within the first Smart Land created by Simbiosi, and its regenerative, circular model aligns perfectly with Wilden’s core values.
