Ilio

Ilio is made exclusively from Nera di Oliena olives, harvested early, long before full ripeness, and cold-pressed at low temperatures. While this method yields less oil, it preserves an extraordinary intensity of aroma and flavor.

Found only in Sardinia, the Nera di Oliena variety is known for its late ripening, often stretching from December to February or even March in some areas — a challenge for growers, yet a key to the distinctive depth and personality of this rare olive.

For generations, this olive oil has been treasured in Oliena, Sardinia. Today, it represents the pride of Coop Olioliena (COOP) — an agricultural cooperative founded in 2016 to unite the finest local olives and craft an olive oil with true character.

Its excellence has not gone unnoticed: at the Ercole Olivario 2022 — one of Italy’s most prestigious olive oil competitions — Ilio was awarded First Prize in the Medium Fruity category.

The jury praised Ilio for its “green fruitiness of medium intensity, with fresh herbal, floral, and green apple notes, enriched by aromas of leaves, artichoke, and green almonds. Bitterness and spiciness are balanced, with great complexity, excellent harmony, and a long-lasting finish.”

Gambero Rosso 2024: Italian Cooperative of the Year

Ercole Olivario 2022: Winner, Medium-Fruity Category

Slow Food Italy 2021: Grande Olio

Gambero Rosso

The Cooperative of the Year award is one of the special recognitions in Gambero Rosso’s Oli d’Italia guide, an authoritative publication on Italian extra virgin olive oils. Each year, the editors single out a cooperative that stands out not only for the high quality of its oils, but also for its role in preserving local olive-growing traditions, supporting member growers, and contributing to the development of its territory. The award highlights collective excellence in production, innovation, and sustainability within the Italian olive oil sector.

Ercole Olivario

The Ercole Olivario is a prestigious national competition dedicated to Italian extra virgin olive oil. Established in 1993 and promoted by the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce, it recognizes excellence across the country’s olive-growing regions. Oils are evaluated through rigorous tasting by expert panels, with prizes awarded to producers who best express quality, authenticity, and regional character. Over the years, the competition has become one of the most important benchmarks for outstanding Italian extra virgin olive oils, celebrating both traditional and innovative approaches to production.

Slow Food Italy

Slow Food Italy is part of the international Slow Food movement, which promotes good, clean, and fair food. Through its guides and initiatives, it highlights producers and products that embody high quality, respect for the environment, protection of biodiversity, and cultural heritage. Being recognized by Slow Food Italy means a producer has been acknowledged for contributing to sustainable agriculture and for preserving authentic local traditions, often through mentions in guides such as Osterie d’Italia or Guida agli Extravergini.