Setting The Standards For a More Sustainable Future
In 1990, we formed The Villa Filippo Berio Agriculture Company with the purchase of one of the largest Tuscan olive groves, in an area known as Migliarino, San Rossore Natural Park. Set on almost 2.5 acres, the grove gives us an abundance of opportunities to perfect how olives are harvested and to learn how the land, and even some olive varieties, respond to new ways of growing.
A Quality Collaboration
We’re honored to be collaborating with the National Research Council (CNR), Italy’s largest public research institution, on four projects taking place at Villa Filippo Berio. The goal of each project is to work together to study the productivity and sustainability of olive growing, and ultimately improve the quality of olive oil. To learn more about CNR and their mission, visit here.
Sustainability Reports
Our sustainability journey, which commenced several years ago, has reached a significant milestone with the release of our latest 2022 Sustainability Report. Discover the remarkable initiatives and actions that our parent company, Salov Group, has undertaken to foster environmental and community well-being. By selecting our products, you play an active role in supporting our vision of sustainability, a vision founded on the principle of ongoing improvement for all. Join us as we continue to make a positive impact on both our planet and society.
Villa Filippo Berio
Villa Filippo Berio, a centuries-old rural residence, with its 75 hectares and 22,500 olive trees in the Tuscan countryside, is dedicated to our
founder, one of the world’s early, expert pioneers of extra virgin olive oil production.
Villa Berio’s olive grove is a true open-air research laboratory, a long-term biodiversity project where important scientific studies and territorial
enhancement projects literally get “put into the field.
Project 1: New Precision Agriculture Techniques in Olive Growing
Nurturing Nature
We like to think of the Villa Filippo Berio Grove, as an "open-air laboratory.” A place where we can control different techniques in the entire olive oil environment, from the trees to the soil to the air. We’re dedicated to discovering the right methods for cultivation of olive trees, not only for our plants but for the benefit of all the olive grove farmers we work with and olive tree agriculture worldwide.
Project 2: The Enhancement of Olive Biodiversity
Expanding the Grove
Italy is home to the largest number of olive varieties in the world so we have an opportunity at Villa Filippo Berio to analyze and enhance olive oil biodiversity to counteract the effects of climate change. The CNR has identified 52 varieties for planting at the grove, which has been planted in a dedicated space. Some example varieties that we planted are Lazzero delle Guadalupe, Piangente, and Pegaso. The work here contributes to the recovery of ancient Tuscan varieties that have gone into disuse over the years to help us understand which ones can be brought back. This helps us determine ways we can adopt for the future.
Project 3: The Sustainability in Olive Growing
Environmentally Friendly Methods
Researching and developing sustainable methods for environmentally-friendly olive growing not only helps maximize productivity in the grove but it’s also an opportunity for us to do our part in caring for the planet. Currently, we’re using electronic sensors to help detect the presence of the Olive Fly, one of the most destructive pests to olive crops, allowing us to simplify and improve our strategies. Afterward, these results will be studied by CNR.
Project 4: Innovation Meets Tradition at Filippo Berio
A More Sustainable Bottle
Nothing is more important to us than sustainability efforts. That’s why we’re proud to be using a 100% recyclable olive oil PET bottle that’s made from 50% recycled plastic. It’s just one of the ways in which we’re doing our part to protect the planet, minimize environmental impact, and reduce waste whenever we can.
