Where is the Sannio?
Sannio is the hilly and mountainous inland area centred on Benevento in southern Italy. It belongs to Campania but differs from the region's coastal and volcanic olive-growing zones.
Our fifteen-hectare farm forms one block in Morcone, in the Pagliarelle area, approximately 500–600 metres above sea level. Altitude, exposure, soil and seasonal weather influence development and ripening, but territory alone does not guarantee quality: harvest timing, milling and storage remain decisive.
Three cultivars grown in our groves
We grow three cultivars in separate groves:
- Ortice — native to the Benevento area. Intense, almond and freshly-cut grass notes, vibrant pepper finish. A statement oil.
- Leccino — Italian classic. Balanced, medium fruitiness, artichoke and green tomato notes. Versatile.
- Monicella — an Abruzzese variety originating in Val Roveto, now also grown in our Sannio groves. Medium fruity, elegant, long finish. Beautiful on fish and delicate vegetables.
Certified organic farming in our groves
Our farm has been certified organic since 2004 and is controlled by Bioagricert. Organic certification is a regulated, auditable method: it covers field records, permitted inputs, traceability and separation through the production chain.
In the grove we work first on soil care, pruning, biodiversity and pest monitoring. Organic does not mean that no intervention is ever allowed, and the certificate does not predict flavour; it verifies that the applicable method and controls have been followed.
From Sannio olives to traceable monovarietal oils
We harvest each cultivar according to its own ripening cycle, keep the batches separate and send the olives to the mill within hours. The resulting oils can be traced by cultivar and lot from grove to bottle.
This is the role of the Sannio guide: connect landscape, farming and company practice. For the wider regional context, including Campania's PDOs and PGI, see the guide to Campania extra virgin olive oil.
