Owned and run since 1867
the passion for olive oil is still in evidence today

Passionate about Olive Oil

Filippo Berio Olive Oil is the only major Italian producer that has remained independent.

The company has been family owned and run since 1867 – the passion for olive oil that drove Filippo Berio to establish the business then is still in evidence today.

Origins

Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Tuscany, and in particular from the province of Lucca, has always been valued for its mild, fruity taste and superb quality.

In the mid 1800s, traders in Lucca flourished as they began selling Olive Oil to Italians who had immigrated to America. One of these was Filippo Berio, who started producing Olive Oil as a very young man and established his own brand at the age of just 21.

A Growing Reputation

Over the next forty years, Filippo Berio built up his business and became widely respected for his knowledge of Olive Oil. By the end of the 19th century, his Olive Oil was Italy’s foremost export brand, winning international awards for its exceptional quality. Three years before he died, he formed a partnership with Giovanni Silvestrini, securing the future of his oil. In 1910, Silvestrini joined forces with Dino Fontana (both from Lucca) to form Salov – a new company encompassing Filippo Berio along with several other prestigious Olive Oils. Salov continued to grow and expand, surviving World War II to become a leading producer of quality oils, recognised and respected in Italy and across the world.

Family Values

Since the 1960s, when the benefits of olive and other vegetable oils became widely known, there has been a continuing demand for high quality Olive Oil and Filippo Berio’s fine flavour, versatility and health benefits have ensured the brand’s lasting popularity to this day.

Filippo Berio is still based in Lucca, the premier brand of Salov, which is run by Dino Fontana’s grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sophisticated modern equipment is now used in production and quality control and these sit alongside traditional practices. For example, every batch of Olive Oil is still personally tasted by a family member before being approved for dispatch.

Today Salov has operations around the globe and is one of Italy’s largest food exporters. Yet, despite this tremendous international reputation, Filippo Berio remains a family-owned business.