We produce and market high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We personally take care of our olive trees in Laterza (Puglia, Italy). We are directly harvesting and supervising each and every step to produce great oil for real connoisseurs.
OUR OLIVE GROVE ON THE MURGE HILLS OF LATERZA
OUR 272 OLIVE TREES
SPECIES AND AGE
As of writing, we own 272 olive trees of different age and specie. Specifically, in our field you can find such native species as carolea, leccina, ogliarola, ogliarola salentina, nociara, coratina and cima di Melfi. Most of the trees are Around 40 years old. Yet, we have 20 trees that we particularly love that are more than 100 years old!
Olive Trees are the peculiar trees of the Mediterranean climate, a symbol of a land that gets very hot in summer and that doesn’t get too cold during winter.
​
MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES
We directly take care of the plowing of the soil (3-4 times per year), pruning and maintenance of the trees. We do not use pesticides and we always search for the most advanced natural methods, also by consulting expert agronomists. As for common problems associated with the so-called “oil fly”, we put in place an environment-friendly system, using bottle traps containing an attractive pheromone-based component (see gallery below).
The constant and meticulous monitoring system we implemented allows us to evaluate when it is really necessary to intervene and where, thus avoiding unnecessary actions. The numbering and recording of the trees allowed us to observe them one by one, guaranteeing a homogeneous and high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil blend.
For more information about our high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, click here.
OTHER FRUIT TREES
Our field is decorated by a number of fruit plants scattered here and there that are typical of Puglia Region, Southern Italy and Mediterranean climate. Though these trees are largely outnumbered by our olive trees, they offer good company with their colours and variety while they give us a lot of fresh fruits every year.
Manuela is specifically interested in the fruit trees and she produces a considerable amount of marmelades and preserves. In our property you can find oranges, mandarins, amarene sour cherries, quince (mele cotogne), figs, hazelnuts and a lot of almonds. And of course, we couldn’t forget our fichi d’india cactuses (known as prickly pears) that are guarding our field by decorating a large part of its perimeter.
THE TOWN OF LATERZA: A HIDDEN GEM THAT DESERVES TO BE DISCOVERED
OUR LOCATION
The town of Laterza, where our olive grove is located, is a pleasant and picturesque village in Taranto province, Puglia. It is located on the Murge hills at the border with Basilicata regions. Only few kilometers away from Laterza is Matera (European Capital of Culture 2019).
​
LATERZA: THE TOWN OF BREAD AND MAJOLICA CERAMIC
Laterza is a charming place full of history as well as interesting tourist sites, despite not being known yet as it should be. Its identity is marked by the famous Pane di Laterza (Laterza Bread), Puglia-style bread strictly baked on stone with an original recipe that makes it particularly fragrant.
Another local peculiar product is the Laterza Majolica, a precious and complicated artistic ceramic that was legendary in the XVIII Century and which traditional techniques are now being rediscovered.
NATURE: THE GRAVINA CANYON
Another place of attraction is the Gravina, a giant and long Canyon with a 200-meter depth and a 400-meter width. The Gravina di Laterza (part of the regional park “Terra delle Gravine”) is a wonderful naturalistic area that can be explored by trekking. You could reach countless local caves and discover a peculiar flora and fauna, especially rich of bird species. The landscape is definitely breathtaking. On the top of the Gravina there are many olive trees that add further charm to the environment.
​
THE MEAT SHOPS, THE CANTIN CELLAR
Last but not least, you cannot talk about Laterza without tackling its cuisine. A deserving special mention is its meat shops: they are not just shops but they are also restaurants where you can taste the most delicious meat dishes. You can have a pleasant stroll around its historical center and find special ancient attractions such as the medieval fountain, the Palazzo Marchesale (Marquis Palace) and the mysterious “Spanish Cellar”, decorated with ancient frescoes.
