Meet the grower

The Umbria Oil

Our head grower and Maestro dell’olio is Stijn Taillieu. He is located in the Trasimeno area of central Italy’s Umbria region. This is a land often called the “green heart of Italy.” Umbria is known for its rolling hills, ancient olive groves, and medieval villages. It offers the perfect environment for cultivating exceptional olives. The region’s mineral-rich soil and balanced climate are crucial. It also has centuries-old traditions of olive oil production. Together, these factors combine to create oils of remarkable depth and complexity.

A man sitting at a table with a glass of wine, smiling in a lively outdoor setting with historic buildings in the background.

Stijn fell in love with olive cultivation shortly after making Umbria his home. He’s dedicated to growing olives as naturally as possible, following organic practices and prioritizing quality above all else. Under his care, over 1200 olive trees thrive. These include the heritage varieties Moraiolo, Leccino, Pendolino, Dolce di Agigia, Rosciola di Panicale, and Frantoio. Each olive brings its own character, some offering bold, peppery notes, others contributing a delicate, fruity balance.

These ancient varieties are perfectly suited to Umbria’s rugged hills. The combination of soil, altitude, and climate yields exceptional fruit there. Stijn’s passion lies not just in preserving these traditional cultivars but in regenerating his groves. He employs cover crops and integrates animals into the ecosystem. This creates a closed-loop system that naturally fertilizes the trees. It also manages pests without synthetic inputs.

The Umbria batch, planned for pressing in October 2025, will be available for delivery starting in December 2025. The oil is single-origin, pressed within 24 hours of harvest to capture the freshest flavor. Stijn’s early-harvest approach results in an oil rich in polyphenols. It has vibrant notes of pepper and freshly cut grass. The oil is a true expression of the land and the care behind every bottle.

Reserve your bottle now and experience the essence of Umbria in every drop.

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