by Giovanni Bosi, Canino / Lazio / Italy

In the Viterbo area of Tuscia, where olive trees trace the rolling hills and horizons of light, time seems to flow with the rustle of silvery leaves and the heady scent of freshly pressed oil. It is here, in Canino, that the Oleificio Sociale Cooperativo celebrates an important milestone: sixty years of history, tradition, and quality — and a deep respect for the landscape.

(TurismoItaliaNews) Founded in 1965, the olive mill today stands as one of Lazio’s most solid and exemplary cooperative enterprises. Over a thousand contributing members, more than 300,000 olive trees, and about 12,000 quintals of olives processed each year — figures that speak of an entire community bound together by a single, precious green thread. Leading it are president Alfredo Quinto Bartoccini and director Claudio Mazzoli, modern interpreters of a centuries-old tradition that has blended rural wisdom with technological innovation.

The emerald green soul of the Tuscia, Lazio

Canino Dop Extra Virgin Olive Oil is much more than a product — it is a territorial identity, a liquid narrative of landscapes, hands, and seasons. Its intense green color with emerald reflections releases an enveloping fragrance of fresh fruit, while on the palate it reveals perfect harmony between bitterness and pungency — hallmarks of authenticity and a wealth of polyphenols. Its unique organoleptic qualities stem from an unrepeatable combination of factors: the native Caninese variety — the undisputed queen of local groves — alongside cultivars such as Leccino, Pendolino, Maurino, and Frantoio, forming a blend that enhances its aromatic complexity. Add to this the generous volcanic soil, the ideal microclimate, and rigorously controlled harvesting and pressing techniques that preserve the oil’s integrity and fragrance.

A sixty-year story with a green vision

Sixty years after its founding, the Canino Social Olive Mill looks to the future with the same passion as its founders, but with new tools. A three-year development plan has been approved to modernize extraction processes, reduce energy consumption, enhance by-product valorization, and strengthen environmental sustainability. The goal is clear: to produce an extra virgin olive oil that is ever more “good” — both for the palate and for the planet. Through agricultural practices that respect ecosystems and investments in eco-compatible technologies, the cooperative helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt cultivation systems aligned with the European From Farm to Fork strategy, promoting a cleaner and more conscious agriculture. Special attention is given to sustainable control of the olive fruit fly, the traditional enemy of quality olive growing, and to reducing the use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides — all in pursuit of a balance between productivity and biodiversity protection.

When olive oil is a way of life

In Canino, speaking of oil means speaking of family, memory, and pride. It is a deep-rooted bond, embedded in the history of the village itself. Here, on the edge of the Lazio Maremma — among the hills stretching toward the Selva del Lamone forest and the ancient Etruscan ruins of Vulci — the olive tree has always been part of both the cultural and spiritual landscape. This enduring relationship is evidenced by the artifacts preserved in the Archaeological Research Center of Canino, where fragments of amphorae and ancient pressing tools tell of a millennia-old union between humans and the olive tree. It is no coincidence that Canino, once a fief of the Farnese family, was the birthplace of Pope Paul III and home to Lucien Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon. Through the village’s narrow streets, past Renaissance palaces and frescoed churches, the past still lives on in the cooperative spirit that defines the community.

Green gold, elixir of health

Canino Dop Olive Oil is not just a gastronomic excellence — it is a true elixir of wellbeing. Rich in natural antioxidants and monounsaturated fats, it is a precious ally for cardiovascular health and inflammation prevention. “Healthy, genuine, and controlled” is not merely a slogan but a daily commitment guiding every stage of production.

A Festival of flavor and identity

For decades, Canino has celebrated its green gold with a festival that draws experts, tourists, and enthusiasts from all over Italy — long before the Dop label was officially recognized. For three days, the village becomes a celebration of taste and rural culture, with tastings, technical workshops, and tours through the olive groves. An event that, like the Social Olive Mill itself, brings generations together and renews each year the bond between land and product, between community and nature..

Sixty years later, the spirit of cooperation endures

Sixty years on, the Canino Social Olive Mill continues to embody excellence and solidarity — a place where agricultural knowledge meets research, and where every drop of oil tells the same timeless story: that of a land that never stops believing in the true value of its green gold.

Giovanni Bosi, journalist, has carried out reportages from numerous countries around the world—from Libya and Syria to China and India, from various South American nations to the United States, and across Europe and the many facets of Africa. He has a particular passion for archaeology and cultural heritage. His articles reveal an ardent, heartfelt interpretation of the places he visits, recounting the experiences he lives there. He writes not merely as an observer, but as a witness whose emotions are always at the forefront. He is also the author of several books and publications.
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