Why choose an artisanal extra virgin olive oil from Etna?
Not all extra virgin olive oils are created equal. Those seeking authentic flavor, superior quality, and a product that truly expresses the terroir will find artisanal extra virgin olive oil from Etna a valuable choice.
We’ll explain why this oil is so special—and why the Statella family’s oil, produced in Bronte, is a prime example.
Etna: a unique terroir for olives, too
When we think of Etna, we immediately think of vines. But olives also thrive on these lava slopes: mineral-rich volcanic soil, sharp temperature variations between day and night, and high altitudes.
These factors contribute to balanced olive ripening, a higher concentration of polyphenols and natural antioxidants, and more intense and nuanced aromas.
An oil produced on Etna therefore has a distinct personality: an elegant, never overpowering fruitiness, a bold yet balanced flavor, with a pleasant spicy note in the first few months.
Artisanal, why?
Choosing an artisanal EVO from Etna also means supporting those who cultivate just a few hectares, personally oversee every stage of the process, and focus on quality over quantity.
Industrial oils, often anonymous blends of different origins, cannot tell the story of a land. The artisan, however, works each plot with respect for natural cycles, harvesting at the right time and immediately pressing the olives to obtain a vibrant, healthy product rich in aromas.
Statella Family Oil: Our Small Production
In Bronte, on the northwest slope of Etna, we tend 100 olive trees, some centuries old, in the Tartaraci district. Like our grandparents, we grow almost exclusively Nocellara Etnea, a native variety of eastern Sicily: strong, resilient, but not very generous in terms of yield.
And it is precisely its low yield that makes its oil so prized.
Our EVO oil is a deep golden yellow, slightly hazy because it is unfiltered. On the nose, it is fruity and elegant, and on the palate it is bold, with a pleasant hint of spiciness in the first few months.
A choice of taste, health, and identity
Choosing an artisanal Etna oil is not just a way to bring a healthy condiment rich in beneficial properties to the table: it is also a gesture of cultural identity, supporting our agriculture and enhancing a product that truly speaks of this unique land.
We continue to produce it for those who, like us, believe in authentic flavors and things made with integrity.