Marchese Rota

From 1704 onwards, this extensive area came under the rule of the Marquis Bartolomeo Rota, owner of a vast estate comprising woods, olive groves and various enterprises, such as bakeries, mills and olive presses.

An intriguing natural setting, where the discovery of roof tiles and a small olive press bears witness to the presence of a villa dating from the Imperial era, with a ‘pars rustica’ equipped with storage containers for agricultural produce.

Here, the essence of olive oil comes to life. Along this long journey, the Rota coat of arms stands out. It is the symbol of Pagliuca olive oil, which, in keeping with tradition, has so much to tell future generations.

The Pagluca oil mill was founded in 1810 in the Lodi area as a family-run artisan business dedicated to the extraction of oil from seeds for food use.

In this land of fine olive oil, the Pagliuca family has a special attachment to the world of Colletorto’s olive trees. In this tranquil land of extra virgin olive oil, rich in silvery hues and vibrant Mediterranean scrub, the olive tree – a symbol of prosperity – has its most ancient origins.

It is a unique landscape, on a human scale, facing south, far from the clamour of the city, just a stone’s throw from the Celano–Foggia sheep track. A crossroads of many past civilisations, where the transhumance way of life and rural activities intertwine with a religious spirit animated by fascinating devotional traditions that still survive today.

Olive cultivation, therefore, is an integral part of a history that stretches back to time immemorial. Pagliuca olive oil comes from this setting, specifically from the Contrada Aia Nicola, dotted with centuries-old trees. The area’s location is simply perfect.

It stands like a sentinel over the valley below.