Campania Wines is always on the lookout for exceptional wines and produce from the Campania region, and when we came across Collana Verde and their story, we were hooked. And as for the extra virgin olive oil, the quality surpassed our expectations.

But first, a little bit about Collana Verde’s wonderful owners. Alfonso and Indre are two hardworking people who live and work in London but have yearned for a quieter lifestyle, one which brings them closer to nature. They spent their younger years helping on their family farms, Indre in the north of Lithuania and Alfonso in the north of Campania. Because of their upbringing, they shared this love of the land.

A few years ago, they started a search for a house in the Campania countryside, and one day was asked if they would be interested in viewing some land. Alfonso and Indre didn’t hesitate and found themselves committing their life savings on four hectares of terraced land with over 700 olive trees, a small vineyard and many other fruit trees.

The previous owner and now their good friend Gennaro, spent most of his life, as did his father and his grandfather tending the olive grove and making high quality extra virgin olive oil for the local people. Gennaro’s passion for olive oil was infectious and once Alfonso & Indre started to look into the extra virgin olive oil history and broadened their understanding of its health benefits, they were hooked. Alfonso and Indre wanted to be part of the increasing number of honest producers who work hard to create quality extra virgin olive oil while preserving a heritage in danger of being lost in rural areas.

Alfonso and Indre are following Gennaro’s footstep in the way they look after the olive grove by continuing to farm organically, and are blessed to have Gennaro’s knowledge being handed over to them to continue the great work spanning generations. This is the most natural option for them given the biodiversity of the land, the richness of its soil and the ideal micro climate. The methods they use to harvest and mill the olives gives confidence in the quality and the distinctive taste of their extra virgin olive oil.

Campania Wines is delighted to be stocking the 2024 Collana Verde Extra Virgin Olive in a 250mL bottle.

Collana Verde extra virgin olive oil is made from a blend of Itrana, Leccina, Frantoiana and Cicinella Sessana olives picked by hand and cold-pressed on the same day. This ensures that the olive oil retains all the flavours from the olives with notes of artichokes, freshly cut hay and the sweetness of almonds.

The method of harvesting and by using modern olive pressing techniques ensure that the oil is full of nutritional values and is very low in acidity. Acidity levels for the October – November 2024 harvest measured only 0.16%, well below the 0.8% threshold for extra virgin olive oil.

But don’t take our word for it.  Great Taste Judges have praised Collana Verde Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 

‘We loved the mouthfeel of this oil which was buttery yet clean. We could taste the promised artichokes, grass, and almonds, and enjoyed the peppery finish. 

An oil that can be enjoyed straight from a spoon’.