History
The sisters Quaranta, have a family history linked to agriculture, the common thread of their future is their father, Antonio Quaranta, an entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to the land.
In 80s the father will start the citrus fruit marketing to continue with sacrifice and great determination to expand the land to be cultivated and in 2000 to move on to the production and sale of citrus fruits and olive cultivation.
Today the efforts of a lifetime are the result of a company, the Forty Fruit, led by his son Francesco, who occupies an important place in the citrus sector in the national market. Much experience and love for the land, however, needs to be expressed by the grace and sensitivity that are natural female characteristics.
Thus was born the brand "merlato" to represent the cultivation of olives in the Conocchiella farm, which is an all-female company.
Who we are
Alessandra and Valentina Quaranta, young entrepreneurs, raised on this farm and thanks to their father, they can today fulfill a dream that will give continuity to what has been handed down with so much care and courage
Alessandra Quaranta, despite the young age of 20 years, actively deals with the growth of the family business. Also committed as a mother, she manages to devote time and energy to this company thanks to her enviable determination and passion for work.
Curious and refined, she deepened her experience of becoming an oil sommelier.
Valentina Quaranta, a young graduate in languages, passionate about travel, loves to confront and learn different cultures and foods with enthusiasm. an optimist by nature with a keen eye towards the products of his land, he wanted to complete his knowledge by becoming a wine sommelier.
The Farm
The Conochiella" farm has its administrative and commercial offices in San Giorgio Ionico but the production and the research laboratory are in Palagianello, located in the province of Taranto.
Conochiella is one of the eight districts that make up the vast territory of Palagianello which benefits from a typically Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very hot summers also due to the south winds. The company is surrounded by orange and olive trees, a triangle of perfect nature that benefits from the proximity of the Terra of Gravine National Park about 20 kilometers away, and on the opposite side from the sea breeze coming from Castellaneta Marina in the Gulf of Taranto.
The production of olives in this stretch of land gives life to a product rich in aromas that enhance the organoleptic characteristics and contribute to the composition of nutritional values essential for proper nutrition.
merlato
The name chosen to represent our oil originates from the symbolic palace of our city most commonly called "the castle"
It is a building built by the count Ayala Valva in 1900 with a medieval-style that highlights the battlements as a decorative element typical of that glorious era,
Despite the recent origins, the castle is a landmark for San Giorgio Ionico town, as well as the embattled name that represents a young generation of entrepreneurs who take advantage of their father experience to offer a selected extra virgin olive oil that follows the tradition taking care to quality and innovation,
