After a failed harvest in 2025, we are hugely pleased to have the latest 2026 harvest from the Villa Montalbano Estate in Tuscany back in stock. This is a fabulously concentrated, first class olive oil which smells of fresh olives and has a classic Tuscan bitterness with plenty of pepper.
Villa Montalbano olives for this Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil were harvested by hand in early November 2026, after yet another hot Summer.
As proved with the blank harvest in 2025, the extreme weather over the last few years is taking its toll on the poor Estate olive trees. In common with other olive groves in the Tuscan region, record high temperatures in the Summer and a lack of rain generally has led to a very small crop of olives with a low yield of olive oil.
This year the numbers of olives on the trees has been greater, but the actual yields are still comparatively low. The upshot is that this is a very, very high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with an incredible concentration of flavour. The downside is that it is very expensive to produce as the total volume of olive oil available is still very low.
Villa Montalbano has produced us a first class Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the last 22 years, and we know that there will unfortunately never be enough of this wonderful olive oil to go around.
Tasting and using freshly pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a treat that all should experience in life. Despite be a light olive oil, Villa Montalbano has a concentrated flavour. The amaro or pepper in the oil will kick your salads into life.
The fibre of the olives creates a velvety text to the start, as they are still freely circulating in it from the milling process. The vivid green olive oil actually has an aroma of fresh olives or mown grass.
Please be aware that this natural fibre will settle after time and can then be used for adding a little extra flavour into your cooking. A simple drizzle of this oil on a strong green leafed salad, with possibly a little cracked salt over the top, and you will have released a little magic.
Pair this years harvest with our stronger flavoured fruit and balsamic vinegars, such our Black Garlic Balsamic Vinegar, Aronia Berry Balsamic Vinegar or our fruity Scottish Raspberry Vinegar for an amazing salad dressing.
Please be aware that stocks of early extra virgin olive oil are very limited again this year, so it's first come first served!
Villa Montalbano is a privately owned Single Estate near Pistoia, roughly midway between Pisa and Florence, in the northern part of the Chianti region.
Three ‘cultivars’ of olive are grown on the estate, Lecco, Frantoio and Murioli; the ratio of these varieties gives their oil its distinctive flavour and colour. The trees are hand pruned in the spring and the oil harvested in late October through to late December.
The olives are hand picked with the help of local families, who are repaid generously with up to half of the picked crop. The oil is then taken to be milled that same day to prevent any degradation, at the local 'Frantoio' co-operative mill.
The olives are pressed mechanically ensuring the Extra Virgin status of the oil is preserved. The required maximum acidity for Extra Virgin Oil is 0.8% but Villa Montalbano regularly produces an oil under 0.2%.
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We are currently offering FREE* Economy delivery to any UK mainland addresses for orders over £40, saving you £4.95.
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