The story of the olive tree is the story of the mankind. The olive cultivation in this area has a thousand-year-old tradition: concrete and vivid proof are the hypogea dug into the rocks, close to the locations where the yellow gold was extracted. At the time, oil was mainly used for lighting (olio lampante), and it was very different from the food product we know today. Nevertheless, it was no less valuable, becoming the base of an extensive commercial activity between Apulia and the rest of Europe. In addition to that, it played an important role in the soap industry. In fact, its production was destined for Marseille, where it was reshaped in the form of “Marseille soap”, being distributed both in Italy and in other countries.
Our hypogeum, very large and very well preserved, immediately catapults the visitor into the Middle Ages. It allows us to imagine the life of the workers, used to extract oil by pressure. They were assisted by a donkey living with them for months: a hard, difficult life, which today is witnessed only thanks to the historical remains, reminding us of our past and the fortunate progress made.
We are pleased to use this special site not only as a museum to keep our memories, but also as a vault to keep our wines for refinement and aging, thanks to the constant temperature and humidity throughout the year.
Ogliarola Salentina, called “Chiarita” in Ostuni, is the queen of our cultivars. Centenary trees, sometimes a thousand years old, with mighty, twisted trunks that defy the wind and adversity, and characterize our agricultural and cultural landscape between dry stone walls and slopes on the Adriatic Sea. The oil obtained has a golden color with greenish reflections, a medium fruity flavor, a medium, persistent pungency, a slight bitterness, and a pleasant almond aftertaste. The product obtained from these giants is incredibly intense, with infinite nutraceutical properties and a high smoke point that drops above 200 degrees, making it perfect for all culinary preparations, including roast. Depending on the time of harvest, this oil can enrich the flavor of the entire Apulian gastronomy, thanks to the so-called scalar maturation. We produce this EVO oil in pure or blended form, according to the years.
Leccino, of Tuscan origin, extensively present in Apulia, has shaped the olive grove landscape in the last 50 years through the densification of centuries-old plants. There are a thousand of these plants on our farm. The oil obtained is of good quality, characterized by its light-yellow color and an acidity of less than 0.2%. It offers a pleasant balance of bitterness and spiciness, is round and mildly fruity. The almost neutral flavor is ideal to enrich the great carousel of grilled vegetables and sea fish. It reminds of childlike tastes. Our cultivation is meant to be consumed as monoculture or used for softening oils with robust fragrances.
Coratina is a typical variety from the town of Corato, in the province of Bari, from where it takes its name. Nowadays its cultivation is widespread throughout Apulia and expresses the soul of this territory. Its drooping tree is medium sized and very productive. Its oil is of excellent quality, with a yellow-green color and significant analytical values, characterized by the intensity and persistence of the olfactory and gustatory characteristics. Lab analyses have shown an exceptional polyphenolic composition: intensely fruity, with pronounced central bitterness and pungency. Its strong and lively character enhances weaker oils. It goes perfectly with dishes having a strong and pronounced flavor, typical of the Apulian gastronomy, from legume soups to stewed meats and mature cheeses.
Pecholine is a variety of French origin with ascending growth, whose fruits have a dual use. They are excellent for preparing dishes or cocktails and equally good for making oil. It is widespread throughout Apulia and, like the Leccino, the Coratina, the Cima di Melfi and others, has contributed to the densification of the Ogliarola Salentina plantations of the entire plain of monumental olive trees of Ostuni. The resulting oil is of high quality, with a fruity flavor and persistent levels of bitterness and pungency. It can be classified as medium fruity. Our cultivation is exclusively destined for consumers’ oils, either pure or in blends with other oils.
Cima di Melfi, a variety from the Vulture region, has been cultivated in Apulia for over 50 years. The fruit is of considerable size, the oil is green and fruity with medium intensity, decisive and complex, rich in vegetal and herbaceous notes, accompanied by a very marked artichoke flavor. On the palate it is clean and releases its great personality, with balsamic notes of herbs and artichoke on the finish. The medium notes of bitterness and spiciness are perfectly balanced. We produce EVO oil from Cima di Melfi both pure and in combination with Ogliarola Salentina.
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This is the most impressive and original accommodation in Villa Agreste: restored six years after the start of tourist activity, it consists of a double bedroom with a bathroom completely carved into the rock, a living area with a sofa bed and an equipped kitchen with a fireplace. Outside there is a patio with a magnificent view over the rows of vines. It is ideal for guests looking for direct contact with nature and relaxing solitude.
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