The Olive Grove as Heritage and Cultural Identity.
For millennia, the olive oil culture has shaped the Mediterranean basin’s history and its people’s habits.
The iconic olive trees are living cultural patrimony, a universal symbol of peace with mythical and sacred attributes that have influenced the lifestyle and the gastronomic practices of hundreds of generations.
The bond between the olive tree and humankind has created a wealth of harmonious landscapes and the socio-economic basis of a flourishing cultural heritage.
The International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) defines the olive grove landscape as a “paradigmatic cultural landscape that perfectly integrates the tangible and intangible.” (Paris, 2011).
Messors’ mandate is to create opportunities and immersive experiences through workshops and projects with a dynamic involvement of participants and local communities for both the conservation and the celebration of cultural heritage and identity.
A long-standing family commitment
The Italian region of Puglia spans between two cerulean seas, the Adriatic and Ionian. On the inland Murgian limestone plains, grooved by the ancient Roman Appian Way and hewn with Byzantine frescoed caves, the Creanza family farm has grown wheat, almonds and olives since 1870.
The family-run olive orchard consists of 700 trees yielding around 3 litres of precious oil per tree.
For 150 years the family commitment has meant the survival of the centenarian olive trees from one generation to the next as well as planting new trees for every family newborn.
Well versed in cultural heritage site conservation, Tonio Creanza of Messors found his 7th generation olive groves in a 21st-century conservation crisis, seeing the production of extra-virgin olive oil at risk in a competitive world market largely dominated by adulterated olive oil.
Finding new forms, methods and solutions to guarantee the subsistence of the olive oil nobility is a priority in the mission.
Tonio teaches how to identify a true extra-virgin olive oil and gives insights on the history and the evolution of methods of cultivation and oil extraction.
The Messors cultural and gastronomic heritage workshops he holds have brought attention to quality olive oil and are successfully building awareness in a larger community.
One sustainable and grateful solution as been the unbridled enthusiasm of young students – in culinary arts, food anthropology, young eno-gastronomic entrepreneurs, new generations of farmers, etc – arriving from all around the globe wanting to learn about harvesting and being educated about olive oil.
Olive Oil to Sustain Cultural Heritage
Inquire to order our family olive oil to creanzaoliveoil@gmail.com.
The orchard is made up of three varietals of olive trees which contribute to the oil’s flavour:
OGLIAROLA 20% (very fruity and dense); SILLETTI 40% (sweet, floral); CORATINA 40% (very fruity, peppery, high in antioxidants).
All 3 varietals are typical of Puglia region.
The olive oil is available in: 0.750 litre glass bottles, 1 litre tins and 3 litre tins
Contact us for weddings and gift baskets.
The Olive Routes
A cultural landscape conservation itinerary
Olive Routes itinerary, explores the ancient paths of the cultural landscape and offers an immersive experience into the legacy and the active gastronomical practices of the region.
The Mediterranean Diet holds the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage protection status, and olive oil, due to its health benefits, is one of the main components of the diet.
Sustainable solutions for the maintenance of ancient olive groves and responsible travel are a contribution to secure future generations with the knowledge of good food practices.
Orders and Classes
Inquire for orders, educational/tasting sessions, and cooking demonstration for groups, teams and staff to creanzaoliveoil@gmail.com.
Olive Oil Health Benefits
According to numerous scientific studies, extra virgin olive oil is highly recommended for a healthy lifestyle due to its anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties.
Recommended readings and websites
If you’re interested in deepening your knowledge and understanding of the world of Olive Oil, we recommend reading a well-rounded, passioned insight into the cultural, historical, culinary and business dimensions of the liquid gold by American writer Tom Mueller, “Extra Virginity: The Sublime And Scandalous World Of Olive Oil.”
You can read comprehensive news for consumers and industry professionals on
The site is the most reliable source of information regarding basics, scientific studies, health benefits, recipes, business and the world’s happenings around olive oil.
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