The Journey of Our Olive Oil: From Grove to Bottle
The production of Sant' Angelica Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a labour of love for us. The journey from our olive trees to the bottle on your table is the result of a deep connection we have between the land and sea.
Nurturing The Grove
Sant' Angelica Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a product of the sun-drenched hills of the Maremma, where mineral-rich soils and gentle sea breezes create the perfect environment for our olives to thrive. The care we give our groves is meticulous; each tree is a living testament to the generations of farmers who have cultivated this land before us.
We prune the branches every year, allowing sunlight to reach every olive, ensuring an even and rich maturation. The soil is carefully tended, loosened regularly to maintain a balanced ecosystem that nourishes our trees naturally, without the use of artificial fertilisers or harmful chemicals.
The Art of Harvesting
The harvest at Sant' Angelica is a time of celebration, a ritual repeated throughout the Mediterranean which we has now become part of our lives. Between September and October, when the olives are at their peak, we gather them by hand or with gentle, electric shaking poles that coax the fruit from the branches. We harvest our olives early to maximise the flavour and colour of Sant' Angelica Extra Virgin Olive Oil – rather than to maximise the volume of oil they produce.
We lay large nets beneath the trees to catch the olives, ensuring they never touch the ground, preserving their purity. This gentle method of harvesting maintains the integrity of the olives, which are transported immediately to our mill to capture their freshest flavour.
Crafting the Oil: A Delicate Process
Once at the mill, the olives begin their transformation. First, they are carefully washed to remove any remnants of the harvest. Then, they are crushed into a rich, aromatic paste using traditional stone mills - a process that releases the natural flavours and aromas of the fruit.
We believe in preserving the essence of our olives through a method known cold pressed - this method does not use heat or chemicals but instead uses a mechanical press to separate the oil from the pulp and does not exceeding 27’C. The result is Sant' Angelica Extra Virgin Olive Oil – a nectar, rich with the flavours and nutrients of our land.
Purity and Patience
Before our oil is ready to be bottled, it undergoes a period of rest. During this time, any remaining natural sediments settle, allowing the oil to clarify naturally. We then filter the oil carefully, removing the last traces of sediment to ensure a smooth, pure product.
The Final Step: Bottling and Storage
The final step in our process is one of utmost importance - protecting the oil from light and heat to preserve its delicate flavour and nutritional properties. Sant' Angelica Extra Virgin Olive Oil is stored in darkened glass bottles or BPA-free canisters, both of which shield the oil from harmful light and maintain its integrity.
Each bottle is sealed with care, ensuring that the oil you receive is as fresh and flavourful as the moment it was crafted.
A Taste of Tradition
Each bottle of Sant' Angelica Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the result of our journey from the city to the coast of Tuscany, one which is steeped in tradition and with a deep respect for the natural world. Our oil is vibrant, intense and fragrant – a burst of peppery greenness – which will transport you to the natural beauty of the Maremma.
