Over a century ago, a lost saddlebag became our name
Perdisacca is a family-owned extra virgin olive oil brand from Istria. Our olive groves of traditional Istrian varieties Buža and Rošinjola are located around Bale municipality in south-western Istria, one of the most generous locations for olive oil production.
Olive oil production has a long history in our family, dating back a few hundred years. The name Perdisacca comes from a more than century old story retold in the family; in a unique anecdote our great-grandfather Giorgio lost a leather saddlebag in a field where today lies the olive grove surrounding the old Istrian villa. The whole village found the story very amusing, so much so that the mayor changed the name of the location into Perdisacca, which in Italian means ‘perdere il sacco’ — to lose a bag (or a saddlebag in which olives were picked in the past).
The story lives on the label itself. Pressed into it is an embossed map, as old as the grove — and if you are patient enough to play with the light and run a finger across it, you will find Perdisacca on it.
LIMITED QUANTITIES UNLIMITED QUALITY
The varieties we grow, Buža (male and puntoža) and Rošinjola, are not significant commercial varieties but are autochthonous Istrian. They do not give large amounts of oil like some other cultivated varieties, and because of this they are rarely planted nowadays.
We opted for tradition. When dad comes back from the mill late in the evening after the first day of harvesting and pours the oil for us to try, everything becomes clear and our decision to keep the old varieties also gets a taste, the taste of Perdisacca oil, unique and special.
We produce extra virgin olive oil processed within a few hours of harvesting in order to retain all the best qualities and health benefits of the product that is the backbone of the Mediterranean diet. We keep the oil in special barrels under nitrogen and fill it in bottles only before selling, so that our loyal customers get the freshest product.
When you are a small family farm - every job is your job! Meet the brave people that never sleep
Mom - The tree washer
Once found shampooing a sick young olive tree back to health. The tree recovered. We never recovered from the sight.
Dad - The tractor driver
Keeps the groves mowed, watered and fed, and occasionally nudges a tree with the tractor, which Mom has opinions about.
Tea - The corporate runaway
Traded meeting rooms for the mill. Certified olive oil sommelier, blender of the teas, packer of every box.
Sanel - The man and the muscle
If it is heavy, tall, or stuck, it is his department.
FAQ's
Where can I taste your oil?
At our farm in Bale, Istria. Tastings are free. In summer we are open Friday to Sunday, 10:00–14:00; the rest of the year visits are by appointment. See the Farm Tastings page for directions.
Is your olive oil organic?
All of our teas, as well as our Buža and Rošinjola oils are certified organic under EU rules, and the control body code (HR-EKO-04) is on every label. Our Ulìa blend comes from groves in conversion to organic farming. We farm without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers.
What makes Buža and Rošinjola special?
They are autochthonous Istrian varieties, grown here for centuries and almost nowhere else. They yield less oil than modern commercial varieties, which is why few people still plant them, but they give a very aromatic oil.
Why is the oil bottled to order?
After pressing, within hours of picking, the oil rests in steel tanks under nitrogen, where it cannot oxidise. We fill bottles only when they are about to ship, so the oil reaches you as fresh as the day it was pressed.
Do you ship to my country?
We deliver to most EU countries. Shipping rates by country are listed in our Shipping policy, and delivery is free on orders of €230 or more. You can also pick up your order at the farm in Bale.
When is the harvest?
In October and November. It is the best and the busiest time of the year on the farm.
Letters from the farm
Harvest news, recipes, and first word on new releases. A few emails a season written by me, not by a marketing team.