{"title":"Our Producers","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe work with a range of artisan producers from Europe and beyond. From Tuscany to Tunisia, you can learn more about them and explore their products here.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"kaia","title":"Kaia","description":"\u003cp\u003eTunisia is now the second largest olive oil country in the world – but the vast majority of this oil is sold in bulk to industrial companies, where it is then blended to create an oil which is standardised in flavour, and low in cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSarah Ben Romadane wanted to change this and create an oil that reflected the terroir of the land and the rural communities who sustain it. KAIA, founded during lockdown by Sarah after she returned to her parent’s farm during the covid pandemic, but it is the result of over five generations of dedication to olive cultivation in the central-eastern region of Mahdia, Tunisia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe family has a long history of growing olive oil – it was Sarah’s great, great, great grandfather who was the first Tunisian to export local olive oil to the United States where it won prizes. However, in the years past, they were not selling oil under their own name – but rather distributing in bulk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe oil is produced from organic Chemlali olives and harvested at just the right level of ripeness, this oil is a perfect balance between bold and smooth flavours, with vegetal and nutty notes and a subtle peppery finish. A team of 50 women work on the land during harvest, using their knowledge gained passed down from generations. They work together to celebrate their culture and champion their land while empowering the local community with the hopes for a more equitable future.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52844700860759,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Sarah_BR.png?v=1771678104"},{"product_id":"frescobaldi","title":"Frescobaldi","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Frescobaldi family have been in Tuscany for over a thousand years, spreading their influence as bankers they once earned the title of treasurers to the English crown. A mere seven hundred years ago the family diversified into agricultural activities, primarily producing wine and olive oil. For 30 generations they have combined tradition, experience, innovation and creativity to pursue excellence. Their aim was simple, to respect and enhance the terroir of the family estates that surround Florence and to bring the best example of Tuscan produce to the market. Their aim remains the same today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatteo Frescobaldi joined the family company in 2018, armed with a business plan to develop the fine food side of the business. He started with their illustrious Laudemio Extra Virgin Olive Oil which was about to enter its 30th year on the market. To celebrate this anniversary, he decided to offer the oil in a limited-edition gold bottle. Our faces slightly paled, worried about alienating our most loyal and traditional customers with this move. The oil, so far, had appealed to a certain demographic, one that knew and understood it's quality and liked the unique perfume shaped bottle. After a couple of emails to shops to notify them of the change we quickly realised that it was us who had made a mistake. Our loyal customers embraced the gold, and many new customers came flocking. The following year, the normal glass bottle returned and the customers who realised the quality of the product had not changed with the packaging, stayed loyal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Laudemio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1985, 90% of Tuscany’s olive trees were killed, or suffered severe damage in a frost that saw temperatures drop to -25 degrees Centigrade. During this time the region’s olive oil production dwindled to almost nothing and it was understood that these trees would need between three and five years to recover. It was, therefore, surprising to many that quite a lot of ‘Tuscan’ olive oil was still appearing on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the aim of promoting the region’s heritage, Marchese Vittorio and Marchesa Bona Frescobaldi spearheaded the creation of the Laudemio Consorzio in 1986. The name Laudemio was drawn from the Latin Laudemium ‘the best part of the harvest, destined for the lords table’. Originally there were twenty producers who made up this consortium, Laudemio, the first brand in the history of olive oil to talk of its specific origins and production policies. It was well ahead of its time – the first olive oil DOP was not seen until 1996.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rules are strict: independent tasters assess the quality of the oil and quantify how much each producer can produce to ensure that no inferior oil is mixed in. The oil from each producer must be put in the same standardised bottle and marked with the producers own label. The bottle is non refillable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1986, the then Prince of Wales, a close friend of the family, planted a tree at Frescobaldi’s estate of Castello Nipozzano. Still today, King Charles III receives the extra virgin olive oil as a gift for his birthday. The first harvest of Laudemio Frescobaldi took place in 1989 and was milled at their own Frantoio (mill) near Castello Nipozzano.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe harvest usually starts in October, when the olives are beginning to turn from green to purple. The harvest must be completed by the 30th of November. The company has groves - 350 hectares and growing - all around Florence and at different altitudes. The layers of different terroirs and microclimates allow the olives to develop differently at each location to create the unique style of olive oil. Most of the trees are of the Frantoio variety, although there are also Moraiolo and Leccino which add nuance to the flavour, and most importantly, are the pollinating trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Tirrena\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe launch of Tirrena pasta marks a new departure for the Frescobaldi family; a semi-whole durum wheat semolina pasta made from three types of ancient grains grown on their estates. It is a truly artisan product, but we have come to expect no less for a product bearing the name Frescobaldi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustainability Thirty generations of the family have shaped this company into what it is today, and preserving the land for future generations is of the upmost importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrescobaldi has been certified AgriQualità from the Region of Tuscany since 2012 as a result of its sustainability efforts. Frescobaldi uses solid waste to fuel its green power plant, makes green manure and regularly monitors for biodiversity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrescobaldi was the first company in Tuscany to receive Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, which guarantees sustainable management of the company's forests. The company also relies on solar energy for power production, decreasing average CO2 emissions by 226 tons per year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52996161634647,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/DSC_1926.jpg?v=1773326940"},{"product_id":"lia","title":"Liá","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 2015 we were working with a small and very specialist Greek herb producer who introduced us to a friend, Cristina, who was producing lovely Greek olive oil in a beautifully designed bottle. Cristina, an ex-art historian, turned olive oil taster, businesswoman and founder of LIA olive oil, amazed Charles and Sika from the beginning. Her passion, dedication and constant enthusiasm continue to amaze us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCristinas was born, midst harvest in the winter of 1980. Her mother paused only briefly from her work in the olive grove to give birth, and after a short stay in hospital, took Cristina in her basket and returned to finish the harvest. You could say at this point that her destiny was already written. In fact, the smell that Cristina first remember is that of the rich aroma of olive trees and their green and silver leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly Koreoneiki olives, native to the area, are used in the production. Cristina believes that these olives possess “\u003cem\u003ea unique, intricate profile, with the same aromas that filled my senses from my earliest days—herbs, green and ripe fruits. Its taste is like a perfectly ripe avocado with a hint of green pepper on the finish\u003c\/em\u003e.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLIA is still a small family team made up of Cristina, her brother Kons… and her husband, Dimitris. They work closely with farmers in their neighbourhood, ensuring that the best farming practices are being undertaken. Sustainability and biodiversity in the olive groves are of the upmost importance to the family. As Cristina reminds us, it is these olive groves that support up to 200 wild plant species, 90 vertebrates and 160 invertebrates per hectare. Preserving this, helps to support the long-term stability of the Greek olive oil sector and to protect it for future generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Cristina says:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe other day, during an olive oil tasting session with our guests, I felt a profound sense of connection and responsibility. We were savouring the essence of trees planted 300 years ago, a living testament to generations past. This realization filled me with emotion and a commitment to preserve this treasure for the generations to come. Our decision to live locally, close to our olive trees, allows us to observe and care for them intimately. This journey isn't just about saving the trees or preserving the olive oil culture; it's about how these ancient trees might save us. I find myself sitting in the shade of an olive tree, listening to the cicadas, and reflecting on why we persist with this olive farm. I insist on producing authentic extra virgin olive oil because I am deeply convinced of its numerous health benefits that can literally change lives. I insist because I believe that the balance in the aroma and flavour of our Koroneiki variety can offer you a gastronomic journey. I believe that only small farmers can produce sustainable, ethical food.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52997007769943,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Cristina.jpg?v=1773318320"},{"product_id":"a-lolivier","title":"A L'Olivier","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first samples of oils we received from M. Blanvillain in 1988 included delicious olive and nut oils as well as the more obscure L’huile de Tortue which never made it onto our list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA L’Olivier is a family run business with a history spanning generations. Founded by Eugene Popelin who had a love of nature and curiosity for the incredible aromatic richness of plants. He explored the countries in the search for new aromatic plants to inspire and vibrant flavours what would give a new least of life to every dish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuickly, their brand became synonymous with high quality olive oils, and their range remains firm favourites amongst both home cooks and professional chefs today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2025 the company was bought by Jean-Pierre Jouve and his company, French Mediterranean Gourmet. They have a clear mission – celebrate and promote a sustainable Mediterranean diet worldwide by elevating these products to be the best examples of healthy, natural and gastronomic excellency. This is evident to see with the increase in quality that we are seeing, as well as with the new products that they are creating.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002485268823,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/A_LOLIVIER_J_PEBREL_017.jpg?v=1773401675"},{"product_id":"nicolas-alziari","title":"Nicolas Alziari","description":"\u003cp\u003eCharles and Sika first visited the Alziari shop in Nice in 1989 and met with M. Alziari. They tried to explain that they would like to wholesale his oil in the UK, but despite insisting we would need a wholesale price he was determined that the price was a price, whether it be for a tin or a pallet. Negotiations failed until a half-French office manager joined the office in the mid 1990s and she charmed him into working with us. We have been happily doing so ever since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the early 1900s Nicolas Alziari realised that wine, coffee and chocolate producers were blending different varieties to create exciting new flavour profiles, which ensured that they stood out from their increasing number of competitors. However, nobody was doing this in the world of olive oil. So, Alziari set off on his travels around Europe, studying in detail different olive varieties. No longer was the company just using local Cailletier olives but began working with different European farms to create a delicious blend that had similar flavour profiles to the oil traditionally found around Nice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen talking about olive oil, we at The Oil Merchant talk about ‘commercial olive oil’ and ‘estate bottled olive oil’. While not produced from olives grown on a single estate, Alziari’s oil leans more heavily towards estate bottled than commercial. They work very closely with their partner farms ensuring that they are working at the highest level; no night harvesting is allowed, and the land is being looked after for future generations. With ever more trying weather patterns each year, their close relationships with their farmers become even more important to help produce the desired quantity and the same flavour profile each year. When picking up one of these wonderful tins you know exactly what to expect year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002664182103,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Nicolas-Alziari-huile-dolive-Nice-City-Guide-Love-Spots-01.jpg?v=1773413255"},{"product_id":"colonna-1","title":"Colonna","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn Molise’s undulating green hills lie Marina Colonna’s olives groves. The Bosco Pontoni estate has been in the family since the early 1880s and Marina inherited the farm from her father, Don Francesco Colonna, in 1996. Here, on over her 55 hectares of olive groves, you can find more than fifteen different olive cultivars of both local and experimental varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Marina’s first job when she began to work with her father was to create a unique bottle for their olive oil. She took a Roman anfora from the family collection and an image of a column, the family crest, to the famous Tuscan glassmakers Vetreria Etrusca and asked their graphic designers to combine these elements into a bottle. It was this bottle she pulled out of her bag in a restaurant in Sloane Square when she and Charles first met more than 35 years ago. The meeting, the bottle, and Marina’s oil were an instant success. We wondered if it was too successful when in 1992 Tom Jaine, then editor of The Good Food Guide, wrote of Alistair Little’s restaurant ‘.. if there is a homogeneous quality to a number of the cold first courses, maybe it is from the overuse of Colonna Extra Virgin Olive Oil.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarina still works tirelessly on the farm, and now her son, Eugenio, has started to become involved with the design and packaging. The anfora bottle remains the same, but with refreshed labels and new products have been added to the range. Capers, handpicked on the Aeolian Islands where Marina \u0026amp; Eugenio spend their summers, are salted and beautifully packaged in small jars to join the range of olives which are grown on the farm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShortly after their first meeting Charles placed an order, writing, ‘I hope that this will be the first of many’. And so it was, and long may it continue.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002692034903,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/fresco_2.png?v=1773403570"},{"product_id":"d-o-s-tartufi","title":"D.O.S. Tartufi","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur relationship with D.O.S began when Marina Colonna introduced us to her cousin, Emanuele Musini, from Umbria. He had grown up surrounded by ancient woods, and it was here that he started truffle hunting. A hobby grew into a passion, and he found a way to create an organic truffle oil which offered customers the true taste of the prized truffle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmanuele moved to the US to expand his venture and begun selling his truffle products to DOS Tartufi, the company that we work with today. DOS is now run by the third generation of the Olivieri family, daughter Alessandra and her husband Davide. Their son, Gian Marco has recently joined the company too, making it a true family affair. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002742694231,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/NataleOlivierielamogliecopia.jpg?v=1773404262"},{"product_id":"galateo-friends-1","title":"Galateo \u0026 Friends","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe first came across Marco Bonaldo’s products at Tutto Food, the renowned Italian Trade Fair. We were immediately struck by the bold and eye-catching design of the bottles. The company operates under the philosophy that \"goodness is enclosed in beauty.\" This belief is reflected in their numerous collaborations with their ‘friends’, renowned artists and designers who illustrate their bottles, as well as with some of gastronomy’s most respected figures, including Alain Ducasse and Massimo Bottura. Embracing this tradition of quality and refinement, Galateo’s bottles have become iconic symbols of art and fine food, laying on the tables of some of the world's most lauded restaurants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company is located in the hills of Liguria, where Taggiasca olives account for 98% of the region's production, it’s no surprise that Galateo \u0026amp; Friends have chosen this variety, which is practically synonymous with northwestern Italy, to produce their monovarietal extra virgin olive oil. After the success of their oil, we couldn’t help but to add their tomato vinegar or vanilla oil to the shelves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmbracing this tradition of quality and refinement, Galateo’s bottles have become iconic symbols of art and fine food, laying on the tables of some of the world's finest restaurants and shelves of the finest shops.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002799350103,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Marco-Bonaldo-scaled.jpg?v=1773404701"},{"product_id":"giusti","title":"Giusti","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe name Giuseppe Giusti is renowned in the world of Balsamic Vinegar. Charles and Sika first came across their balsamic vinegar, being distributed by a company called Alis, in the early 1990s and quickly added their two medal Balsamic Vinegar of Modena to their then small product list. It was the first balsamic vinegar that The Oil Merchant ever sold, and one of the first to be sold in this country. It was only in 2019 did we agree to work with them directly and vastly expanded our range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the last couple of years, things have got rather out of control, and in order to keep up with customers’ demands, the list of products that we stock has grown rather rapidly. As well as Giusti’s historical collection of vinegars, we have added flavoured balsamic vinegars, gift boxes, and balsamic glazes to the ever-expanding list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of Giusti goes back to 1605 when we see the first official documentation of the Giusti family’s commercial activity where they were noted for the production and retail of Modenese products including Lambrusco, fine sausages, and – importantly for us - balsamic vinegar. During the Espsizione Agaria, a trade fair in Modena that took place in 1863, the first recipe for balsamic vinegar was documented and Giuseppe Giusti wrote his golden rules on how to create the perfect balsamic vinegar: perfect grapes, vessels and time. This is still known as the Giusti Recipe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the 19th and early 20th centuries the Giusti family transported their vinegar to tradeshows across Europe with huge success, collecting many prestigious medals. It is these medals that adorn the front labels of their bottles to this day. In 1929 the company was named as suppliers to the Royal House of Savoy by King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Speeding forward to the present day, Giusti is now led by Claudio Stefani Giusti, from the 17th generation of the family, who has turned this small family company into a world-wide Italian brand. After buying back ownership of the company, he has embraced change and grown exponentially, with eighty members of their team working around the world promoting the brand to great success.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002841653591,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/AcetaiaGiusti_16.jpg?v=1773405238"},{"product_id":"guglielmi","title":"Guglielmi","description":"\u003cp\u003eComing soon...\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002915250519,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/guglielmi-chi-siamo-bg2-e1721898002648.jpg?v=1773406135"},{"product_id":"badia-a-coltibuono-1","title":"Badia a Coltibuono","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt is hardly surprising that an agricultural property which was founded in the 11th century should have at its soul a deep connection to the land around it, especially as it is called Badia a Coltibuono, the Abbey of the Good Harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFounded by Benedictine monks, the beautiful Abbey, surrounded by fir and chestnut trees, has for centuries been a hub for progressive agriculture and known for welcoming visitors. The property was acquired by the Stucchi Prinetti family in 1846. Piero Stucchi Prinetti, who inherited the property in the 1950s, was considered to be a leading light in the production of quality Chianti Classico wines and one of the first to promote his wines to the international markets. Then, with the help of his acclaimed cookery book writer wife, Lorenza de’ Medici, he was the first to promote Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil to foreign markets, realising that this was a product that could add a touch of the flavour of the Tuscan land to international cuisine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur relationship with the Stucchi Prinetti family started shortly before the 1985 frost when two wine importers created The Tuscan Olive Oil Advisory Board, and organised what we believe was the first British olive oil tasting for retailers and journalists. It was here that we met Lorenza de Medici and were persuaded that it was, of course, completely feasible to have two Tuscan oils on our (very short) product list. That was the start of a long relationship which now continues with her children, Roberto and Emanuela.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of their trees were damaged in the horrendous frost of January 1985\/ The family, however, were not going to allow their customers to be deprived of a quality oil so they started to use their blending skills, buying in oil from other farms in Tuscany and from further afield in Italy, to supplement their diminished production. This oil, called Cultus Boni, remains a firm favourite. Many of the trees slowly recovered or were replanted and in due course two of the groves were certified as organic. However, production is very limited from these groves, and in some years oil from them is not available at all.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53003928240471,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/8434298115_5a3b0da230_h_1_453c3783-f07c-47d6-b692-4dfe05c4abc6.jpg?v=1773414860"},{"product_id":"morgenster-1","title":"Morgenster","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiulio Bertrand arrived in South Africa as a textile merchant from Italy, the country of his birth. He fell in love with the country, and so when the time came to sell his business, he decided to keep his South African investments there, and swapped the sheep he had brought from Australia which produced the wool from which he wove his cloth, with vines from France and olive trees from Italy. He then bought the beautiful and historic estate of Morgenster to plant them on. The rolling hills of Somerset West, 44kms east of Cape Town and overlooking False Bay, are ideal for producing a Bordeaux style of wine and an Italian style of oil, and both are very highly regarded; the oil is consistently considered to be one of the best in the world by the authoritative Flos Olei Guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2011, at Morgenster’s 300-year celebration, Giulio said: ‘\u003cem\u003eA local olive oil was already being produced in South Africa, but it did not impress me. I then decided that I would like to produce my own special olive oil to use for my salad and some excellent wine to enjoy with my meals\u003c\/em\u003e.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat was the start of the Morgenster that we know today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArmed with this motto, Giulio set out to create excellence working with the renowned Professor Giuseppe Fontanazza from Perugia Olive Oil Institute, and with Pierre Lurton, of Chateau Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux, for his vines. Under Fontanazza’s advice, he imported 17 varieties of olive trees from the north, south and the islands of Italy and began a nursery to propagate these trees, planting 42 hectares of groves. He was considered as the “Father of Olive Oil” in South Africa, as he paved the way for South Africa’s olive oil industry as it is known today. While it is part of Italian culture to produce fine wines and olives together, the concept was an innovation in South Africa at that time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiulio died in 2018, but his philosophy of \"where there is quality there is no compromise\" lives on with his daughter Frederica, and granddaughter, Vittoria, who now run the estate. With their inherited passion for wine and olive oil, they’re inspired to not only celebrate their farm’s history, but to push it into a new era of innovation. Sustainably focused farming methods and fresh new branding are injecting a modern spirit into the Morgenster brand. This elegant and minimalist design allows the quality of the oil to shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53003984798039,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/04.jpg?v=1773415682"},{"product_id":"castelas-1","title":"Castelas","description":"\u003cp\u003eJean-Benoit Hugues is a man with a mission. His mission? To produce the best olive oil from the Vallée des Baux, the best olive oil from France, the best olive oil in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJean-Benoit used to design silicone chips, a far cry from the Provencal olive trees that were so beautifully depicted by Van Gogh. But if you apply the same precision to growing olives as you do to producing the working innards of a computer, and the same precision to designing the pressing machinery, you are well on the way to achieving your goal. And it certainly helps if your co-missionary, your wife Catherine, comes from a famous wine-producing family who know a thing or two about growing things.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe traditional way of producing olive oil in the Vallée des Baux was to harvest the olives, let them ferment for a couple of days and then press them to give a fruity, black olive and slightly mushroomy flavoured oil that legally was not allowed to be sold as extra-virgin. Jean-Benoit changed all that. He harvested his olives young, he pressed them very carefully within hours of harvest, and he produced a vibrant, green oil that hummed with the flavours of fresh fruit, herbs and spices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd then he thought that he would do what they have always done in the Vallée, but do it better. He now produces a delicious Fruité Noir, which has been a great success with chefs around the world. We don’t often associate the word “Olive-y” when tasting but when you taste the Castelines Noir D’Olive the aromas of black olives and field mushrooms are unmistakeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53006125629783,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Castelines.webp?v=1773418793"},{"product_id":"la-favorita-live","title":"La Favorita Live","description":"\u003cp\u003eMr and Mrs Bruno’s production unit is located in the Piedmont town of Cuneo, in the shadow of the Alps. Founded in the late 1970s, the couple originally started working with anchovies bought from the Ligurian fishermen, as well as other typical products of their region such as mushrooms and chestnuts. The company is now run but their son Mattia, although their father still comes in daily (a feeling that Issy knows too well).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company, in their words, champions the ‘rediscovery’ of the simple foods of the Ligurian and Piedmontese people, using high-quality, fresh ingredients and excellent olive oil. This is used as a preservative, as it has been for generations, bypassing the need for any chemical additives. Produce is sourced from the local area as much as possible, and the olive oil, basil and rocket in their jars are grown on their own farm near Imperia. The aim of the Bruno family is simple: To spread the joy of food from Liguria and Piedmont worldwide. And they have done just that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLa Favorita Fish put the quality of their products above all else. They carefully source each of their ingredients from trusted farmers, always from Italy where possible. Their tomatoes come from Piedmont, and for any ingredients, which could be accredited, such as Parmigiano or Basil, they will only use those with the DOP or IGP accreditation. Where it is not possible to source the ingredients from Italy, they will look to further afield, but still pay close attention to the suppliers chosen. Each step of their production, whether it be from where they source their raw ingredients or how exactly each recipe is produced, is primarily informed by what will produce the very best for the customer. A fine example of this is their Pesto alla Genovese – once voted the best pesto in a jar – and once you taste it, you can understand why!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53006322336087,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/1_13.jpg?v=1773419577"},{"product_id":"ravida-1","title":"Ravida","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe are sure, though, that when we first tasted the oil we had no doubt that it was going to be a great addition to our then very small range. And so it has proved to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, let’s set the scene. Driving from bustling Palermo and catching glimpses of the sparkling Tyrrhenian waters, the landscape becomes more sparce and the olive trees more frequent as one turns south and heads towards the Mediterranean coast. The farm, west of Menfi, overlooks the sea and the Belice valley, home to the lauded Nocellara del Belice olives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe farm is full of wild and cultivated olive trees, lemon trees and aromatic herbs. Here they have been producing olive oil for hundreds of years. Natalia’s father took us to the old farmhouse and buildings, still standing, and showed us the old stone press which had been turned by donkeys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatalia recalls clear childhood memories of weighing the olives in the fields with her grandfather, to share half with the farmers. In those days the olives were sent to the local mill for pressing. Some of the oil was kept for personal consumption, but most was sold in bulk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatalia was working as a journalist in London when she read about The Oil Merchant and bought us a bottle of deep green oil. The first taste of it we still remember to this day. Encouraged by the reception she was able to persuade her father to install an oil press at the farm. In 1991 they started pressing and bottling the oil themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree varieties of olive trees are grown across the farm: Cerasuola, Biancolila and Nocellara. They grow in harmony across the farm, are picked by hand and, unusually, are pressed together to create this unique and delicious blend of house oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn November 1993 Vogue wrote:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘In June this year history was made. The Orciolo d’Oro was awarded for the best extra-virgin olive oil in Italy and the oil was Sicilian. Until a few years back, when the Ravida family began to bottle their olive oil, Sicilian oils were all but disregarded.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatalia saw this as an opportunity to become an ambassador, not only for the family’s oil, but also for the Sicilian cuisine. She first hosted cooking classes at the family home, Villa Ravida, in Menfi, where the participants seemed to be as fascinated by her mother’s home cooking as they were by the recipes of the famous chef who was the course leader. This inspired Natalia to write her first cookery book, The Seasons of Sicily, published in 2008. In it she writes “The variety of ways in which the same simple ingredients are used highlights the creativity of Sicilian cuisine”. Unsurprisingly, the book encourages the use of extra virgin olive oil, especially that produced by Ravida!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53006854619479,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/SAV8176.jpg?v=1773420573"},{"product_id":"vea","title":"Vea","description":"\u003cp\u003eHigh in the hills of the Les Garrigues province in Northern Catalonia, Spain, the third and fourth generations of the Vea family can be found making their delicious olive oils. The groves, though not all certified organic, are run in accordance with strict biodynamic principles, and the family seamlessly blend the newest extraction systems with the traditional olive cultivation and selection methods of past generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of the Arbequina olive trees, which grow on the hills outside Lerida, the province’s capital, are up to 200 years old, and sit on ancient terraces carved into the hillside. The Arbequina olive gets its name from the Catalonian town of Arbeca. It is thought to have been introduced to the region in the 18th Century by the Duke of Medinaceli who brought it from Palestine. This khaki-brown olive is one of the smallest used in olive oil production and that it takes 10-12 kilos of olives to make 1 litre of olive oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mediterranean climate of the area surrounding Sarroca de Lerida, a northeastern village in the Catalonian province of Lerida is ideal for growing Arbequina olive trees. The climate is very dry and there are deep gorges and dry torrents. The unevenness of the land is organised through a series of terraces built hundreds of years ago. The olive tree is visible everywhere, mixed in with the natural rather scrubby vegetation of wild hawthorn and some scattered holm oak forests. There are signs of olive trees in this region dating back to the Roman Empire, and it is on this terraced landscape where you now find Gerard Vea and his production of wonderful olive oil made from the Arbequina olive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGerard Vea believes that the climate helps make the organic status of his L’Estornell oil easier to achieve. The very cold winters eliminates many insects. The hot and dry summer controls the fly that can lay its eggs on the maturing olives and ruin them and helps the olives grow strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53155766206807,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/avelino_gerard.jpg?v=1774861832"},{"product_id":"la-macina-ligure","title":"La Macina Ligure","description":"\u003cp\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53161344827735,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Screenshot2026-03-30151837.png?v=1774880380"},{"product_id":"tamia","title":"Tamía","description":"\u003cp\u003eLocated in Tuscia, just off the main road that connects Rome and Florence, Tamia’s flourishing olive groves stand on the fertile, mineral rich and well drained volcanic soil in the land that was once home to the Etruscans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company began to produce olive oil in the 1920s and Pietro Re took over the family farm in 2012. He came to the role with a strong interest in promoting sustainability and a desire to protect the land that his family has been farming for generations. He comments\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘...we really do care for the protection of the environment. We believe that us farmers have a duty to at least preserve the integrity of the territory... our mission is not only to produce the highest quality but also to protect our precious land’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince taking over, Pietro has planted over 1,500 more trees, hoping to increase the farm’s role in carbon sequestration, with the fortunate added benefit of more olives and more of Tamia’s distinctive oil. The new trees have been planted in a non-intensive pattern that allows for the maintenance of soil health as well as creating a more favourable environment for wildlife. During the olive trees’ months of rest, after the harvest and before the flowering, the ground around them is left to nature, fostering biodiversity and improving soil health. The trees are carefully pruned to optimise the health of the olives, and each variety is harvested at its perfect ripeness before careful transportation to the mill, where they are pressed within six hours of picking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result of all this care and attention to detail is an oil high in polyphenols with anti-oxidant properties. This wonderful olive oil can be enjoyed with the knowledge of all that Tamia are doing to protect the land of which they find themselves guardians.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53174768599383,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Tamai2_86ef4366-79bf-463b-a0db-75e6e5d9bba8.jpg?v=1775043791"},{"product_id":"spedalotto","title":"Spedalotto","description":"\u003cp\u003eVincenzo Paterno has owned the Agricola Spedalotto since 2010. The 42-hectare estate is situated on Monti Iblei near Ragusa in southern Sicily. Here Vincenzo organically farms the 7,500 Tonda Iblea olive trees, native to the area. Its location, high on the mountain ridge, (known as 'Sicily's balcony') is ideal for olive growing; the altitude and climate help the health of the olives along with the limestone soil. The land is under strict control of a Denominazione di Origine Protetta (D.O.P), ensuring the very highest quality finished product. The olives are harvested while still green, just before they start to ripen to black. The result is a perfectly balanced classic Sicilian olive oil, winner of five gold medals at the NYIOOC, and recipient of 3 stars at the 2025 Great Taste awards, that reflects Vincenzo’s dedication to quality and the unique character of the land.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53175004070231,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/DJI_0389__BenedettoTarantino.jpg?v=1775044460"},{"product_id":"team-tartufi","title":"Team Tartufi","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor many years we have sold some truffle products of extremely good quality in the very traditional packaging you often find truffles packaged in. They are expensive products and the packaging reflects this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut a team of seven young Milanese 20-somethings wanted to change this. For a couple of years their company was supplying high quality fresh truffles to restaurants around the world. At their restaurants requests they created a range of products with truffle as the base: butter, dust, sauces amongst others all came along. To create these products economically, they used the small and most misshapen truffles as the base, saving them from waste. They then decided to take it a step further by putting these products in bright, energetic and tongue-in-cheek branding. Launched in 2023, nothing like this had been seen before in the category, but it did not take long for other brands to follow suit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey launched the range at TuttoFood that year and it was not long until our first pallet of stock arrived. Many more have followed since. As Camilla says ‘We are making it fun. We have fun when we work, food is fun, truffles are fun. That was the idea.’ And what a great idea it was!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53176793137495,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/IMG_9709.jpg?v=1775050144"},{"product_id":"trebbio","title":"Trebbio","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe had to ask ourselves: do we really need to add another Tuscan oil to our list? Unfortunately, we didn’t think so. But. . when we met a family who put such care into the land and produce such high quality oil, we had to reconsider. We are delighted to be joining the Corsini family at the start of their project and are looking forward to seeing how they continue to marry the past and the future as they restore and care for the Villa del Trebbio and its grounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Medici Villa del Trebbio, in Mugello, Tuscany, stands at the site where three roads meet. In fact, the name Trebbio literally means a meeting place of three roads. It seems to be fate then, that the Corsini family have taken over stewardship of the estate with a mission that is the union of three ideals: cultural preservation, environmental protection and agricultural excellence. Maintaining and developing the olive groves of the estate is a project that allows them to work towards each of these ideals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross 170 acres of land, Clemente and Gabriella Corsini and their family are combining existing olive groves with new planting patterns and use biodynamic and organic methods which aim to protect and improve the estate’s biodiversity and ecological stability. Along the way they are producing exceptional olive oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrebbio is made using a blend of the Tuscan olive varieties that grow on the estate including a variety that was once believed to be extinct. The Italian National Research Council have now recognised this olive and renamed it Dianora del Trebbio, for Clemente and Gabriella’s daughter, who is highly involved in the project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach variety of olive is harvested early by hand and cold pressed at their mill straight after picking. The resulting monovarietal oils are blended to create a peppery and intense, typically Tuscan olive oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe symbol of Trebbio is the biblical image of a dove carrying an olive branch in its beak, an image that recalls ideas of light, serenity and peace. The Corsini family themselves put it best:\u003cem\u003e “With the help of our team and the local community, we are fulfilling our dream of giving back to nature, hoping in turn to inspire similar initiatives. As a family, we remain rooted in our Tuscan heritage while projecting innovatively into the future.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53178617135447,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Trebbio_1_72dpi.jpg?v=1775055756"},{"product_id":"marques-de-valdueza","title":"Marques de Valdueza","description":"\u003cp\u003eTwenty-two years ago we met Don Alonso, the Marquis de Valdueza, who was introduced to us by a mutual friend. As we often feel we did not think that we needed to add another oil to our list. But two hours later, we had a new supplier, charmed in to submission by him and by his son Fadrique, who had recently joined the family agricultural business, and by the quality of the oil and its packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surging popularity of olive oil in the late 80s and early 90s led to Italy exporting more olive oil than they could produce. To keep up with demand, commercial producers bought in oil from Spain and elsewhere, bottling and labelling it as Italian--perfectly legal at the time--and sold it to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Valduezas had for generations been growing olives and grapes for bulk sales and for personal use. The 200-hectare estate in Merida, Extremadura, so far west it is only twenty-five miles from the Portuguese border, has been in the family since 1624 and there are records of olive oil being produced on the farm since the time of the Romans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlonso, The Marquis of Valdueza, decided to compete with the Italians and produce an olive oil that would launch Spain onto the map of serious producers. He embraced technical advances to create this oil and twenty years later his son Fadrique, who now leads this sophisticated operation, is still embracing advances. In 2004 they brought in the renowned agronomist Cristino Lobillo Rios and under his advice cleared old trees and laid an underground irrigation system. They decided against leaving the olives on the trees to become fully ripe, as was the custom in Spain, but instead to pick their olives early to capture their individual flavours. A state-of-the-art mill was installed, and the family worked with a UK design agency to create their packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing a blend of four olive varieties the family created a beautifully balanced oil: sweet, round and without a great deal of bitterness. The local Morisca olive is sweet and not very peppery. It is often considered to produce a not very stable oil so must be cleverly blended to allow its positive sensory attributes shine. The Arbequina olive is very aromatic, but alone its flavour is not long lasting. The Hojiblanca olive produces an oil which is fruity and sweet and a little peppery at the end. Finally, the Picual, is lacking in the fruity notes, but for what it is lacking it makes up in bite – it is strong and peppery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach olive variety is picked when the olives have reached the perfect level of ripeness and taken straight to the mill. They aim to begin milling within one hour of the olive being plucked from the tree. After milling the individual varieties, the oils are left to settle for at least two weeks before being tasted and blended. It is only after this fortnight of resting does the family believes the oils’ true aromas and flavours will shine and allow them to create the perfect blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was once described as\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘An aristocrat among olive oils, and is, like the Marques and son, carefully bred and gently insistent. Looking to give it a name I pronounce it ‘esupendo! And Fenomenal! But whatever you call it, Marques de Valdueza is the name in Spanish olive oil.’\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53178795524439,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Fadrique_coatharvest.jpg?v=1775055945"},{"product_id":"villa-manodori","title":"Villa Manodori","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 2020, Chef Massimo Bottura’s world-renowned restaurant in Modena, Osteria Francescana, was awarded Michelin’s Green Star for its pioneering commitment to sustainable gastronomy, one of only 11 restaurants in Italy to receive this honour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottura was born and raised in Modena and has held three Michelin stars at his hometown restaurant for over a decade, solidifying his place as one of the most influential chefs of his generation. His passion for quality ingredients as a young chef led to the creation of Villa Manodori in 1995, a line of condiments crafted from the finest ingredients and used in all his restaurants around the world\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e From their monovarietal Taggiasca extra virgin olive oil, to their flavoured 'essential oils', to their dark cherry balsamic aged in barrels made from Vignola’s famed sour cherry wood, Villa Manodori continue the Modenese tradition of crafting the world's finest cuisine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53272748261719,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/Massimo_Balsamico.jpg?v=1775745758"},{"product_id":"la-vecchia-dispensa","title":"La Vecchia Dispensa","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe neck tag on every bottle reads ‘100% handmade’ but it is hard to understand this until you see the process with your own eyes. In an unassuming building near Modena, La Vecchia Dispensa’s new production site is humming with activity. Here the balsamic vinegar is carefully selected from the wooden barrels by Simone Tintori and his father Marino before every bottle is filled by hand and carefully labelled. For many, the handmade in every aspect is superfluous, but for them it is of upmost importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the little town of Castelvetro, on top of a hill overlooking the River Po, the Pelloni family have been producing balsamic vinegar for generations. In 1905, they began to sell to the public – obtaining the 13th production licence. For many years, production took place in the 16th century prison tower overlooking the picturesque checkerboard square.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a childhood spent watching his parents, Roberta Pelloni and Roberto Tintori, making balsamic vinegar, Simone has slowly taken charge of his family’s business. Just as an artist can demonstrate their signature style with a few simple brushstrokes, so can a vinegar producer make their mark on the vinegar that they produce. For Simone, this signature mark is the double acidity that you experience when you taste each vinegar. This ensures that you get a balanced and well-developed flavour that lasts long in the mouth after tasting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir range includes DOP, IGP and organic balsamic vinegars, all made exclusively from 100% Italian Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes sourced from local growers. While firmly rooted in tradition, Simone is not afraid of adapting and embracing the future, whether it be slowly moving production away from the prison tower to a new building with space to prosper, or developing new products, like Cherry Balsamic Jelly which pairs so wonderfully with blue cheese and duck.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53273269764439,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/DSC04217_02bca1e0-c358-45eb-9f82-9505e8f33f9a.jpg?v=1775749954"},{"product_id":"pojer-e-sandri","title":"Pojer e Sandri","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn hour north of Verona, at the point where two valleys meet, sits the small village of Faedo. Here, on 35ha of land, Pojer e Sandri grow the grapes used to make their wine, grappa, and importantly for us, vinegar. Using minimal chemical intervention at each stage of the process, they aim to capture the true nature of the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo make their fruit vinegars, they partner with fruit growers from neighbouring valleys to source fruit at its optimum ripeness, apart from the quince, which they grow themselves. They make a fruit puree which is then pressed to make a juice. The juice is fermented without any addition to create the vinegars, a process which takes between 1-2.5 years, depending on the type of fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53278467948887,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/content-dam-org-5-images-full-rights-piana-rotaliana-shopping-cantine-e-distillerie-pojer-e-sandri-pojer-e-sandri-4.82656747.jpg?v=1775811095"},{"product_id":"le-dolcezze-di-nanni","title":"Le Dolcezze di Nanni","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"306\"\u003eSince 1959, in Ponte d’Arbia, in the heart of the Val d’Arbia near the Via Francigena in Tuscany the family of Giovanni Marini—known to friends as “Nanni”—has been delighting sweet lovers from all over the world with the wonderful products of the ancient Sienese pastry tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"571\"\u003eFrom the skilled hands of Marco, heir to his father “Nanni’s” passion for pastry-making and guardian of the recipes passed down by Grandma Ada, the delicacies of this land rich in ancient flavours are still brought to life every day, just as they were in the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"885\"\u003eThe entirely artisanal production of these homemade sweets, combined with the use of top-quality ingredients (natural and preservative-free), has made “Nanni’s” pastry shop famed and frequented by food lovers from Siena and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"887\" data-end=\"1352\"\u003eTheir panforte—still cooked in copper cauldrons and then worked by hand to preserve its traditional flavuor and aroma—Ricciarelli and Amaretti made from carefully selected almonds, kneaded and then shaped one by one, Cantucci, Brutti e Buoni, Biscottoni, and many other traditional sweets make up a range that preserves the naturalness and authenticity of its ingredients, combining craftsmanship with strict and meticulous quality control.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53279194579287,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0827\/1147\/8615\/files\/le_dolcezze_2x2-1a_5e90f216-7acb-44de-b14f-c4b0e5cee017.jpg?v=1775821872"}],"url":"https:\/\/oilmerchant.co.uk\/collections\/producers.oembed","provider":"The Oil Merchant Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}