At Olio delle Colline, we produce award-winning extra virgin olive oil from selected Tuscan varietals grown in the coastal climate of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. Our cool weather and coastal influence yields an extraordinarily fine fruit flavor without losing the balance of bitterness and pungency.

From a small group of 100 trees imported from Pescia, Italy in 1994, we have expanded to a combined total of 1800 trees. Our goal is to make only the finest oil from varieties that are historically grown in the central and northern areas of Italy. We press our oil from the Tuscan varietals Maurino, Leccino, Frantoio, Pendolino, and Ascolano and the Taggiasca varietal from the Ligurian coast.

For more information about where to purchase Olio delle Colline di Santa Cruz, click here.

 

 

About Us

Chris Banthien and Bruce Golino are partners in Olio delle Colline. Each has an extensive background in local agriculture. They are the first to grow olives for oil production in the Monterey Bay area since the 1940's.

In addition to growing olives, Chris, owner of Valencia Creek Farm, is a commercial flower
grower specializing in lavender, flowering oreganos and hydrangeas for the cut flower market.

 

 

Bruce established Santa Cruz Olive Tree Nursery, in 1994 to provide a wide range of olive trees (he has over 40 varieties available) to the expanding California olive industry. He offers olive varietals from France, Spain, Greece and North Africa which produce oils ranging from the green peppery Tuscan oil to the fruity, buttery oils of France.

Please visit www.santacruzolive.com for information about selecting the right varietals for you particular soil and climate.