Dear SOLO OLIVES Club,

The trees have spoken — and they’re growing.

This past month in Umbria, the olive groves moved into one of the most delicate and defining phases of the season: fruit set. After flowering in May, the blossoms have given way to tiny green pearls — the first signs of this year’s olives. It’s always a moment of quiet joy: what began as pollen and potential is now taking shape as fruit.

If you look closely at the photos below, you’ll see the clusters forming steadily along the branches. The inflorescences that bloomed with creamy white flowers just weeks ago are now holding dozens of tiny drupes (that’s the botanical term for stone fruits like olives). Many will drop — it’s natural, even necessary — but the ones that remain are the ones that matter.

🪿 Meet the New Grounds Crew
In true permaculture spirit, Stijn has introduced a small flock of goslings to the property. These little geese are already hard at work nibbling at weeds, trimming the grass, and naturally fertilizing the soil as they go. Aside from being adorable, they help us reduce the need for mechanical mowing or chemical controls — another step toward the fully regenerative ecosystem we’re aiming to nurture.

🌡️ Umbrian Weather Report
The weather this past month has been generally favorable. Daytime highs hovered between 22°C and 30°C (72–86°F), with cooler nights that help the trees manage stress and conserve moisture. Rain has been sparse, but not dangerously so — just enough to keep things alive, not enough to dilute the flavor. In fact, mild hydric stress at this stage can intensify phenolic development — that’s good news for flavor and antioxidant levels.

We expect this to lead to a more concentrated oil, likely richer in polyphenols and peppery notes. Early estimates suggest a robust, grassy profile with notes of wild herbs — a “green harvest” character we love. The next critical phase is pit hardening in July, when the fruit starts to build structure and the oil slowly begins to form.

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What’s Next
As summer settles in, the olives will enter their cell expansion phase — growing in size, building sugars and oil, and adapting to the rhythm of heat, sun, and water. Barring any extreme heat spikes or hailstorms, we’re optimistic. The grove looks balanced, the trees healthy, and the fruit… full of promise.

Thank you, as always, for being part of this journey. Your preorders are what keep this work grounded in purpose. We’ll send more updates as we move into July — expect another note during pit hardening, and photos of the goslings in action soon.

Con affetto dalla campagna,

Warmly,
Ricardo & Stijn
SOLO OLIVES
One grove. One harvest. Once a year.