Cru #312 Picholine

Tenuta Venterra created CRU-312 to express the unique potential of Picholine when cultivated organically in the pristine landscapes of the Taranto peninsula. The olives are harvested at their ideal ripening stage and processed swiftly using oxygen-free extraction methods to preserve the cultivar’s delicate nuances.

The result is a monovarietal, organic extra virgin olive oil that has earned top accolades: in 2025, Gambero Rosso awarded CRU-312 Picholine the “Miglior Biologico” prize, recognising it as the best organic oil in its category among a field of 828 evaluated oils from 437 producers.

Cru 312 reveals itself with a soft yellow hue touched by golden reflections, opening gently with a fresh, medium-intensity fruitiness reminiscent of green grass, artichoke, and a whisper of oregano. As it settles on the palate, the oil unfolds notes of ripe apricot, creating a graceful contrast with medium spicy and bitter sensations that add lift and structure. The texture is smooth and composed, guiding the flavors into a perfectly balanced finish that makes this organic Picholine an ideal companion for dishes with more pronounced and expressive aromas.

Cru 312 is at its best when drizzled raw over dishes that welcome contrast and aromatic depth. Its clean fruitiness and subtle herbal tones elevate grilled vegetables, while the apricot note adds elegance to fresh cheeses. The balanced bitter-spicy structure makes it particularly well-suited for seafood starters and dishes featuring intense or savory flavors, where its organic purity and expressive character shine through effortlessly.

Tenuta Venterra is a family-run olive estate created with the clear mission of producing extra virgin olive oils of consistently high quality. Located in the heart of the Taranto peninsula, the estate benefits from a privileged geographic position, favorable climate, and exceptional environmental purity — including clean air and high-quality irrigation water.

The property extends across approximately 115–120 hectares, with 87 hectares planted with olive trees and additional land dedicated to future plantings and vineyards. The groves host traditional and native Puglian varieties such as Frantoio, Leccino, Coratina, Pecholine, Peranzana, and majestic century-old Ogliarola trees set across gentle hillsides.

Tenuta Venterra is cultivated according to certified organic agriculture, avoiding synthetic chemicals and respecting natural maturation cycles. The estate is characterized by a rich polyculture system where diverse olive varieties coexist harmoniously, enhancing biodiversity and flavor complexity.

Production follows strict quality standards: olives are carefully selected, processed using modern oxygen-free extraction technologies, and stored in temperature-controlled facilities. This meticulous approach results in extra virgin olive oils with a delicate sensory profile and lower perceptions of bitterness and pungency, while fully preserving freshness and varietal character.

🥇 Gambero Rosso – Oli d’Italia 2025: Best Organic Olive Oil

This olive oil was awarded “Best Organic Olive Oil” in the Gambero Rosso Oli d’Italia Guide 2025, one of Italy’s most authoritative publications dedicated to extra virgin olive oil.

🥇 Gambero Rosso – Oli d’Italia 2025: Three golden leaves

This olive oil was awarded “Three Golden Leaves (Tre Foglie d’Oro)” in the Gambero Rosso Oli d’Italia Guide 2025. Oils receiving the Tre Foglie d’Oro designation represent the top tier of Italian extra virgin olive oils featured in the guide.

🥇 Der Feinschmecker Olio Award 2025 – Medium Fruity Category : Place 31

This olive oil was awarded the 31 place at the Olio Award 2025, an international olive oil competition organised annually by Der Feinschmecker. The award is based on blind tastings carried out by an expert jury evaluating olive oils according to aromatic intensity, balance, and overall quality.

🥇 BIOL International Prize 2025: Gold Medal

This olive oil was awarded a Gold Medal at the BIOL International Prize 2025, one of the world’s most recognized competitions dedicated exclusively to certified organic extra virgin olive oils.

Gambero Rosso - Oli d'Italia

Published annually by the Italian gastronomy media group Gambero Rosso, the guide evaluates hundreds of olive oils from across Italy through blind tastings conducted by expert tasting panels, assessing aromatic profile, balance, and overall quality. The guide highlights outstanding producers and awards special recognitions to oils demonstrating exceptional quality and typicity.

Official winners list published by Gambero Rosso:

https://www.gamberorosso.it

Der Feinschmecker Olio Award

The Olio Award is an annual olive oil quality competition organized by Der Feinschmecker, a long-established German gourmet magazine with strong recognition in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). The publication has been part of the premium food and gastronomy landscape for decades and is widely read by professionals, specialty retailers, and quality-focused consumers.

Each year, olive oils from international producers are submitted and evaluated through blind tastings conducted by a professional jury. The oils are assessed according to recognized sensory criteria and grouped into aromatic intensity categories such as light fruity, medium fruity, and intensely fruity.

Within each category, the jury identifies the oils that best represent balance, clarity of fruit, and varietal expression. Achieving a top ranking in this competition reflects high sensory quality and consistency, particularly within the competitive gourmet market of German-speaking countries.

Official winners list published by Der Feinschmecker: https://www.feinschmecker.de/olivenoel-2/olio-award/testsieger

BIOL

Held annually in Italy, the BIOL Prize evaluates organic olive oils from numerous producing countries through blind tastings conducted by international expert panels, assessing criteria such as aromatic intensity, balance, typicity, and overall sensory quality. The competition highlights organic oils that demonstrate outstanding quality and authentic expression of their terroir.

Official competition website: https://www.premiobiol.it