Angela Canale

he Colonna Estate in the farmlands of Bosco Pontoni at San Martino in Pensilis in the Molise region, belongs to Marina Colonna, daughter of Prince Francesco Colonna and produces a range of high quality products, notably estate bottled extra virgin olive oil.

The Estate, completely renovated during the year 2000, covers 160 hectares where cereals such as wheat, oats and corn, sunflowers, canola, and chickpeas are grown .

The olive groves, with 16 different varieties,occupy 55 hectares. The first plantings of 10.000 traditional

olive groves took place at the beginning of 1900; In 1998 ten more hectares of experimental groves have

been added, showing the commitment of the Es tate to innovative methods of planting, growing and

harvesting new varieties.

The utilisation of these techniques makes the lowest impact on the environment and harvest takes place

early in the season, before the olives are fully ripe, with battery operated olive harvesting aids which

shorten picking times thus assuring high qualit y oil that is extracted within 12 hours through the two phase

continuous cooling cycle of the farm oil mill.

Each olive variety is crushed separately. The extra virgin olive oil produced has a high percentage of

polyphenols and vitamins which enhance the organoleptic characteristics and correct storage is ensured

with the use of stainless steel vats under argon g as in which each variety is kept separate. The blending of

the selected oils follows an accurate system of chemical analysis. The estate then bottles using a semi

automatic system, in compliance with the current regulations and following a further internal quality

control procedure in the packaging and marketing of the company’s own patented brand and special

“amphora” bottles.

Colonna extra virgin olive oil is very low in acidity, a prestigious quality for olive oil, and maintains its

distinctive characteristics all year round. The products are mainly sold abroad, including Australia, New

Zealand, Japan, Korea, USA, Canada, Grea t Britain, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Hungary, Poland,

Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, ,Finland, Latvia, Czeck Republic.

As well as the unparalled Colonna extra virgin olive oils: the Classic blend, the selections: D.O.P. / P.D.O,

Organic, single variety Peranzana and the premium oil Molensis, , the estate produces since 1990 citrus

olive oils, using organic lemons (Granve rde), oranges (Arancio), mandarins (Mandarino) and bergamots

(Bergamia ) sourced from Sicily and Calabria. The latest citrus oils are: Ginger, obtained with organic ginger,

Aromatico made by crushing the olives together with cardamom seeds and Tulsi, made with the estate’s

olives and organic basil leaves. The range of infused oils includes: Peperoncino (chili), RosaOliva (rose), Rose of Mary (rosemary), Salvia (sage), Juniper, Cinnamon, Mustard and Tartufo (truffle). Organic olives in brine are also produced: Bella di Colonna, Mite near and Mite Verde, Itrana and Kalamata. Nera di Colonna

instead is produced with oil and herbs. Tomato sauces (Rosso di Colonna, Bruschettina, Pomodorino, Pomo d’Oro) complete the range of the Colonna products.

The Colonna Estate range of citrus oils are made with the zest of the skin of organic citrus fruits or spices, they are a very good condiment over cooked or steamed vegetables, salads and crudités, smoked fish and meat, as a marinade on raw fish, with prawns or crab, on pasta dishes with olive paté, with courgettes, aubergine and capers, with grey –mullet roe; they are also used when roasting chicken or grilling fish. These These oils are further recommended in making cakes and cookies. Recipes with our oils can be downloaded from oils are further recommended in making cakes and cookies. Recipes with our oils can be downloaded from our website, www.marinacolonna.it. The range of products is completed with fine vegetable creams and our website, www.marinacolonna.it. The range of products is completed with fine vegetable creams and patés, as well as traditional Italian puréed patés, as well as traditional Italian puréed tomato, bottled cherry tomatoes and handtomato, bottled cherry tomatoes and hand--peeled plum peeled plum tomatoes. tomatoes.