UK-exclusive artisan Extra Virgin Olive Oil from north Abruzzo: pine green colour, flavours of gooseberry, chamomile, wild flowers and basil

This is the most spicy and aromatic olive oil we’ve ever tasted, with a delicious tangy bite of bitterness. It meets the high quality standard of Pretuziano Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP).

The origins

This artisan Extra Virgin Olive Oil is crafted by the Orlandi Contucci Ponno winery, in the Teramo hills of north Abruzzo. This winery is best known for its rich and complex Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines, and a similar depth of flavour can be found in their oil.

The oil is made from Leccino, Frantoio and Dritta olives. They develop their characteristic flavourful taste thanks to the climate of the Teramo hills. The area is influenced by breezes from the Adriatic sea, which are said to bring salty and mineral flavours. From the east, it’s affected by the cold winds from the Gran Sasso mountains – the highest part of the Apennines.

This “Pretuzian” olive oil refers to the Pretuzi – the indigenous tribe of Teramo, conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BCE. Their tradition for making food and wine reaches as far back as the 10th century BCE, and Pretuzian wines were mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his “Natural History”.

Tasting notes

Deep pine green colour. Vigorous spicy and herbal aromas, such as white pepper, gooseberry, chamomile, wild flowers and basil, supported by mineral and salty notes. Prepare for the pleasant surprise of a seriously peppery finish with a note of noble bitterness.