The Carroccia family, deeply rooted in central Italy, has built a celebrated olive oil legacy around their profound love for the Itrana olive cultivar. Their farm, Carroccia Campodimele, is nestled in the hills near Campodimele, a village renowned for its extraordinary longevity. This unique connection between the land, a treasured olive variety, and a lifestyle conducive to health has shaped their decades-long success.
The Heart of the Farm: Itrana Olives and the “Village of Longevity”
Located approximately 130 kilometers south of Rome, on the edge of the Aurunci Mountains Natural Park, Carroccia Campodimele cultivates around 3,700 Itrana olive trees on terraced groves. These terraces are meticulously bordered by dry stone walls, which the family has recently received authorization to reinforce and expand, improving access to 90 percent of their groves.
Nearly two decades ago, co-owner and manager Paolo De Filippis, alongside his cousin, embarked on a new chapter for the farm. Their focus shifted to quality production, expanding their operations from three to ten hectares. This dedication to excellence is intertwined with the unique identity of Campodimele.
The small village, with just over 550 residents, is famously known as the “village of longevity” due to its remarkably high number of centenarians. Scientific studies have linked this phenomenon to a combination of genetics, an active rural lifestyle, low stress levels, and a traditional Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, legumes, and, notably, olive oil. For the Carroccia family, this deep connection to health and natural living is a fundamental part of their heritage, proudly reflected in their extra virgin olive oil’s label, which features an aerial view of Campodimele.
The Versatility and Soul of Itrana
De Filippis emphasizes the special nature of the Itrana cultivar. “Itrana is so special, and our parents knew that. They planted only that cultivar so long ago,” he shared. The Itrana olive is not only perfect for producing a distinctive and balanced olive oil but is also ideal as a table olive, specifically the Gaeta olive. These Gaeta olives, a southern Lazio specialty, boast a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification from the European Union, guaranteeing their quality and authenticity. The Itrana olive oil itself forms the core of the celebrated Colline Pontine PDO olive oil.
The entire Carroccia family shares a deep emotional bond with their land and the Itrana olive. “We are in love with this cultivar,” De Filippis states, describing the captivating aroma and flavor of a quality Itrana extra virgin olive oil, which “conquers the palate and the soul.” He notes their olive oils boast a high phenolic content, nearing 900 milligrams per liter, and offer a balanced profile with a harmonious bitterness and interesting spiciness, reminiscent of the renowned Sicilian Tonda Iblea cultivar.
A Commitment to Sustainability and Quality
The Carroccia family prioritizes quality from harvest to bottle. They practice early harvesting and exclusively use electric tools in their fields to avoid contamination from petrol engines. Their farm has been organic from its inception, with De Filippis proudly stating, “We don’t even know what chemicals are.” They eschew pesticides, focusing on sustainable, natural treatments and soil health. Their fertilization method involves a unique composting system, using manure and olive pruning remains that mature for a year before being applied to the trees.
Currently, the Carroccia farm is transitioning to biodynamic farming, a growing trend in Italy. This approach, rooted in the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, integrates spiritual awareness into agriculture, demanding a deep belief and a willingness to accept potentially lower yields and profits in exchange for producing “better and more sustainably.”
While they don’t have their own mill, the family uses a local facility dedicated to a select few organic producers. “If the goal is quality, you cannot mix your olives with those of uncertain origin,” De Filippis asserts, highlighting their unwavering commitment to purity.
Navigating Climate Challenges and Celebrating Success
The Carroccia Campodimele’s dedication to quality was once again affirmed with a Gold Award for its organic medium-intensity Itrana monovarietal at the 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition. This marks their fourth consecutive NYIOOC accolade, a source of immense pride for De Filippis.
Despite these successes, olive growers across the Mediterranean, including those in Lazio, face significant challenges from climate change. “It’s fast, and we are all a bit unprepared for what’s happening,” De Filippis admits, noting the increasingly short winters that can impact production. The farm is actively working to enhance their climate resilience, leveraging their reinforced dry walls for improved soil and water retention, and collaborating with a local agronomist.
De Filippis recounts recent climate-related stresses, including sudden heat after a promising fruit set and a hailstorm with hail as large as walnuts. “Producing quality olive oil presents many challenges, and they vary from farm to farm,” he acknowledges. “But the one challenge we all face is climate change. It demands inventiveness and long-term investment. We must be proactive.”
The Carroccia family’s story is a testament to how a deep-seated love for a unique cultivar, combined with a commitment to sustainable practices and a proactive approach to modern challenges, can cultivate generations of success in the world of olive oil.