FONTANA DEI SANTI

Region: Basilicata

Company name: Pepe Luciano Farm

Locality: Albano di Lucania – Contrada Perretti (Potenza)

Historical context and birth of the company

Olive growing in Basilicata has remote origins, numerous archaeological finds (olives, leaves and stones, etc.), found in the excavations of the Metapontino, testify to olive cultivation since the times of Magna Graecia. In this historical context, surrounded by the Lucanian Dolomites, grandfather Antonio, known as Antoniuccio, gives life to the “Fontana dei Santi” oil mill to meet the needs of an area dedicated to olive growing. In 2012 the very young grandchildren, Antonello and Luciano, took over the company and, with the aim of making a product of excellence, they replaced the old extraction plant with a latest generation Pieralisi engine plant. The meeting with Andrea Lago, Lucanian by adoption and commercial manager of the company, was decisive for the launch of the first product: Invaio, which made its debut in 2017 and established itself in the following years.

“The future, for Fontana dei Santi, is to look to the past and protect the native varieties of the Lucanian territory in danger of extinction.”
Luciano and Antonello Pepe

To date, Fontana dei Santi is the only Lucanian company that is committed to the recovery and enhancement of native and ancient olive varieties at risk of extinction.

They manage the family olive grove in a sustainable way and recover many abandoned plots for a total of 20 hectares, with prevalent varieties such as Fasola, Ogliarola del Bradano and Tarantina, but also Coratina, Justa and Cerasola.

Oliocentrica is proud to have believed, immediately, in the Fontana dei Santi project, in line with our principles of enhancing the Italian olive biodiversity.

Company reviewed by Slow Food’s Guide to Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2020