The land
The territory Olive cultivation in Italy and UmbriaOur green, olive-covered hills are veritable terraces overlooking Lake Trasimeno. These ancient Umbrian lands, once inhabited by the Etruscans and steeped in history, with their unique microclimate, bestow unparalleled organoleptic characteristics upon the olives. It is the land that has seen us be born, belong, and grow.
Our oil mill is a guardian of our heritage and a bulwark for the future.
Olive growing in Italy is not merely a highly important agricultural sector, but a true cultural and landscape emblem. With over 700 registered cultivars, our country holds the world record for olive biodiversity. Added to these are numerous local varieties, often not yet classified, guarded by monumental trees that bear witness to a millennia-old history. The olive tree is an extraordinary plant, capable of living and bearing fruit for centuries, even exceeding a thousand years under optimal conditions.
Cultivation is widespread across almost all Italian regions, from south to north, aided by an increasingly mild climate even in traditionally colder areas. Southern Italy remains the primary cradle of production, with Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily at the forefront, although Tuscany, Lazio, and Campania also make significant contributions. While the overall quantity has decreased in recent years, the quality of Italian extra virgin olive oil remains a globally recognized standard of excellence, thanks to biodiversity, modern extraction techniques, and timely harvesting.
Within this national context, Umbria holds a prominent position. With approximately seven million trees spread across 30,000 hectares and over 250 olive mills, the region stands out for the quality of its oils and its extraordinary variety of cultivars. Notable among these are the Moraiolo, characterized by herbaceous and artichoke notes with persistent bitterness and spiciness; the Dolce Agogia, typical of the Trasimeno area, featuring centuries-old and millenary specimens; the Rajo, the San Felice, the Nostrale di Rigali, and many other local varieties that enrich the Umbrian genetic heritage.
Umbria preserves monumental olive trees, such as the one of Sant’Emiliano in Trevi or the Raia of Macciano, which are living symbols of continuity between past and present. Scientific research in recent years has allowed for the rediscovery and cataloging of numerous local cultivars, some of which were already mentioned in ancient documents. Particular attention has been devoted to the Trasimeno area and Isola Polvese, where over 30 internationally unique varieties have been identified.
Dott. Roberto Mariotti
Soraya Mousavi, Ph.D.
Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council (I.B.B.R. – C.N.R.)