About Us
Frantoio Ferrara
A family story
since 1955
It all began back in 1955, when our founder, Vincenzo, was granted a plot of land by the Land Reform Authority for the construction of an olive mill in the area known as “Terzo Marzocco,” in Scanzano Jonico, on the Metapontino plain. Since then, Frantoio Ferrara has become a point of reference for lovers of extra virgin olive oil.
In 1957, after enormous sacrifices, Vincenzo purchased an old, run-down animal-powered olive mill from the Giasi brothers of Pisticci, which he personally repaired and restored. It was up to his beloved mare, “Stellucia,” to carry out the arduous task of turning the millstones, until his son Nunzio had an inspired idea: to remove the bar that restrained the horse and replace it with an ingenious motorized system, thus freeing Stellucia from this exhausting task and creating an electric olive mill.
At that time, oil was separated by hand, and payment did not come, as it does today, from customers paying for the milling process, but rather from the pomace that customers “gave” to the miller. It was exhausting work until, in 1962, Vincenzo and Nunzio decided to replace the equipment with another second-hand system that was more modern and featured a larger millstone. It was a major step forward: less effort and cleaner oil. Unfortunately, in 1970, the founder Vincenzo passed away, and Nunzio continued to run the olive mill alone until 1977, when, despite all his efforts, the mill was forced to close.
Passion and dedication, however, never faded, and in 1978 Nunzio decided to renovate a new facility and modernize the mill with machinery capable of processing around 150 quintals of olives per day, thus ensuring customers excellent-quality extra virgin olive oil.
What began as a family business in 1955 has now become a modern olive mill, where tradition meets technology to offer oil of the highest quality. The olives are processed using artisanal mechanical methods, ensuring cold extraction at controlled temperatures, natural decantation, and the optimal preservation of the oil.
Over the years, we have continued to grow and evolve, while remaining true to our promise of quality and authenticity.
The beloved and sweet
mare Stelluccia
Our values
Oil, everyday goodness
Black-and-white photographs rekindle the vivid colors of memories shaped by passion, dedication, and hard work. The determination we were taught, together with the desire to improve and innovate, are the values that continue to guide our commitment as a company. We know that olive oil is one of those essential elements of everyday life, an ingredient found in all the most flavorful moments. Olive oil means sharing, closeness, purity, and strength. We know very well its extraordinary evocative power, capable of recalling emotions and creating moments of conviviality that deeply engage all the senses. For us, olive oil is a complete sensory experience, as well as a promise of authenticity, origin, and quality that we preserve and enhance.
A look to the future
Daily passion
Today, Frantoio Ferrara is a well-established company, recognized for the quality of the cold-extracted extra virgin olive oil it produces. The experience that began back in 1955 — during the great agricultural transformations that led Basilicata and the Metapontino area toward a remarkable rebirth — is now the greatest asset of the “third generation,” which has embraced the challenges of the past and turned them into an extraordinary commitment for everyday work and for the future. The new generation of millers has expanded this journey and intends to carry it forward with passion and dedication, achieving new important milestones for Frantoio Ferrara.
