Sannio, the hilly inland area of Benevento, is one of Italy's most ancient and lesser-known olive-growing regions. Here, in Circello, the Cassetta family has been cultivating organic olives for four generations. We explain why a Sannio extra virgin olive oil is unlike any other.
Where is Sannio and why it's perfect for olive trees
Sannio is the hilly and mountainous region crossing the province of Benevento in inland Campania. Elevations between 300 and 700 metres, clay-limestone soils, and significant diurnal temperature variation create ideal conditions for olive trees producing characterful oil rich in polyphenols and antioxidants.
Unlike flatland olive groves, here the plants grow slowly, the olive tree struggles a bit more — and precisely for this reason yields more intense, structured and healthier oils. It's an ancient truth of viticulture and olive growing: the plant that struggles gives better fruits.
Native cultivars: Ortice, Leccino, Monicella
We grow three main varieties in Sannio, each with its own personality:
- Ortice: native cultivar from Benevento. Intense fruitiness, notes of fresh grass and bitter almond, lively pungency. It's the "tasting" oil for those seeking a bold character.
- Leccino: sweeter and balanced, notes of artichoke and green tomato. Versatile: ideal both raw and for light cooking.
- Monicella: a minor but extraordinary cultivar. Medium fruitiness, persistent finish, excellent with delicate fish and vegetables.
We cultivate each variety in separate groves, harvest by hand at the right time for each, and press within a few hours. This is how a true single-variety extra virgin olive oil is born.
What "organic" means for us
Our company has been certified Bioagricert for over twenty years. No synthetic pesticides, no herbicides, no chemical fertilizers. Soil care is done with cover crops, compost, and reasoned pruning. Protection from olive fly with monitoring and natural products.
For us, organic is not just a label: it's the way our grandparents and great-grandparents always made it. What today is called "sustainable agriculture" is simply how olive oil was made before industrialization.
From harvest to bottle: our supply chain
We harvest olives when they reach the right maturity level: not too green (high acidity, low yield) nor too ripe (high acidity, oxidation). For each variety the timing is different: Ortice is harvested from late October to early November, Leccino a few days later.
Olive arrive at the mill within just a few hours of harvesting. Cold pressing below 27°C, oil separation by centrifuge, no aggressive filtration. Bottling in dark bottles or tin cans to protect from light.
Awards and recognitions
Over the years our oils have received awards from major Italian and international guides: Slow Food, Bibenda, Flos Olei, international competitions in Tokyo and Los Angeles. It's not what interests us most — but it confirms the work is well done.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sannio olive oil considered one of the best in Italy?
For the combination of hilly altitude (300-700 m), limestone soils, temperature variation and native cultivars like Ortice. These conditions yield oils rich in polyphenols, intense aromas and great longevity.
Is Sannio olive oil DOP?
There are DOPs covering areas in Benevento province (e.g. Sannio Caudino-Telesino, Colline Beneventane). Adhering to a DOP entails constraints on production area, approved varieties and blending percentages. Our choice is to focus on traceable single-varietals (cultivar, grove, vintage, analysis) even outside DOP regulations, because we believe the transparency of individual products says more than a generic seal.
How do Sannio oils pair in cooking?
Ortice is perfect raw on bruschetta, red meats, legumes and hearty soups. Leccino is more versatile: salads, fish, cooked vegetables. Monicella on delicate fish and crudités. Always better to add at the end of cooking to preserve aromas.
Can you buy Sannio organic olive oil directly online?
Yes: from our website you can buy directly from the producer without intermediaries, with shipping nationwide in Italy and worldwide. Every bottle arrives with the batch number and bottling date.