Huge diversity of indigenous cultivars exists in the still somewhat untrodden region of Abruzzo on the eastern coast of Italy offering a rich and differentiated selection with a very high average quality level that has attracted us to dig deep and find the very best. Cited by Virgil and Ovid, the history of olive cultivation in Abruzzo is ancient, making it more than just a tradition, it is a way of life. At the foot of the Maiella massif in the Central Apennines there is an incredible treasure chest of Mediterranean biodiversity with many plants that are unique to these soils (over two thousand plant species are registered here amounting to a third of Italian flora).
And it is here that we discovered the stony plateau of Caprafico, in the tiny municipality of Casoli (Chieti), where Tommaso Masciantonio, his wife Agnese and their daughters Chiara and Alice care for their 5000 olive trees, over half of which are centuries old. This incredible, uncontaminated plateau at high altitude amidst the scent of wild plants has distinctive limestone soils intensely populated with stones and fossils giving life to olive oils of the very highest quality, unique to their origin and made to organic standards.
No irrigation is carried out and only organic fertilization is used once a year. The shielding action of the calcareous and stony soil has a mulching effect and naturally reduces the formation of weeds, so the topsoil doesn’t need to be elaborately worked or disturbed. And this makes a massive difference to the wellbeing of the soil, which imparts its goodness to the trees.
In the family’s Trappéto (the local word for olive mill), the Masciantonios have been transforming their own olives since 1948. The control of the entire supply chain from field to bottle guarantees the absolute excellence of the oil, processed within a few hours of harvesting and packaged only when we ship. You can taste the attention to detail in every drop.
Tommaso is one of the main protagonists of Abruzzo olive cultivation, an idol for many growers in the region and with a reputation for his exceptional quality monocultivars throughout Italy, nurtured particularly via restauranteurs and chefs. He is truly faithful to his local cultivars and we are thrilled to share these multi award winning extra virgin olive oils with you that are sophisticated and deeply fascinating.
