The Oil Mill
Our plants combine innovation and tradition: we constantly renew production lines to accommodate the most modern technologies, without ever losing the connection with our roots.
Technological Innovation
Our production lines, Alfa Laval and Pieralisi, excellences of the olive sector, guarantee cutting-edge processes that enhance the qualities of the olives.
Cleaning
All machines are sanitized at the end of each production cycle.
Quality Guaranteed
Our qualified staff guarantees maximum attention and care at every stage of processing.
Certifications
The oil mill is certified for production under the organic farming regime (EU Reg. 2018/848 – Bioagricert IT-BIO-007) and is authorized to press Sicilian PGI olives under the supervision of IRVO.
The stages of the processing cycle
Olive harvest
When the olives reach the right degree of ripeness they are carefully selected and harvested, respecting traditional practices and the needs of the fruit.
Defoliation
The olives are introduced into the first machine of the crusher, the defoliation machine, which removes leaves and twigs left during harvesting along with the fruit. The removed plant materials are recovered and reused, for example for grazing or other agricultural uses.
Washing
The olives pass on a conveyor belt under jets of water, which remove dust and soil residue left after defoliation.
Crushing
The olives are crushed together with the stone to break the cell walls and release the oil contained within them. We use mechanical crushers that keep temperatures low, avoiding oxidation of the product.
Gramolating
The olive paste obtained by crushing is subjected to malaxation, a slow and delicate mixing that allows the tiny drops of oil to join together until they form larger drops, ready for extraction. At this stage the temperature is decisive: it must remain between 20 and 27°C, for a maximum time of 60 minutes. Only in this way is the so-called ‘cold-extracted’ obtained, which best preserves the nutritional properties and authentic perfumes of the oil.
Separation
At this stage the oil is distinguished from the solid part of the paste, the pomace, and from the vegetation water. This step takes place inside modern centrifuges, the Decanters, which work precisely to obtain clear oil free of impurities.
Extraction
In the final separator the oil is further separated from the residual vegetation water. Thanks to the different density of liquids, the oil is isolated naturally and definitively, without the use of additives or solvents. Thus, pure and clear extra virgin oil is obtained.
Filtering
Olive oil is considered a product with a long shelf life. Despite this, numerous changes occur during its storage, which lead to a decrease in its starting qualities. Filtration is the process that, if carried out immediately after extraction, ensures better product preservation and a reduction in the risk of defects appearing.
Storage
Storage is a crucial step in keeping oil qualities intact. After filtration, the product is stored in stainless steel silos, in a temperature-controlled environment between 13°C and 18°C. The addition of nitrogen inside the tanks protects the oil from contact with oxygen, avoiding oxidation processes and ensuring freshness and purity until bottling.
Third party milling service
If you are a producer, you can rely on our mill to press your olives, including those certified as PGI and organic.
We offer a professional service that combines experience and technology, ensuring the highest quality and attention to detail at every stage of the process.
Guided Tour of the Olive Oil Mill
Get an up-close look at olive oil production with a guided tour of our mill