“Our land is generous, but it is experience in extraction that makes the difference. We were born and raised in oil mills. Olive oil is part of who we are.”
Frantoi Cutrera is one of Sicily’s most celebrated olive oil producers, internationally recognized for crafting award-winning extra virgin olive oils that capture the character, biodiversity, and traditions of southeastern Sicily. From the foothills of the Iblei Mountains, where olive groves overlook the Mediterranean Sea, the Cutrera family has spent generations perfecting the art of olive cultivation and oil extraction, combining deep agricultural roots with some of the most advanced milling technology in the world.
The story of Frantoi Cutrera is inseparable from the story of Sicilian olive oil itself. In a landscape shaped by centuries of agriculture, olive trees have long been part of daily life, providing sustenance, culture, and identity to communities throughout the island.
Although the family’s connection to olive farming stretches back generations, the modern company formally began in 1979 when Giovanni Cutrera, patriarch of the current family, decided to transform his lifelong experience into a dedicated olive oil business. With the support of his wife Maria, he established the family’s first olive mill, creating a facility that served both local growers and the family’s own production.
From the beginning, Giovanni understood that exceptional olive oil begins with respect for both the fruit and the people who cultivate it. That philosophy remains at the heart of Frantoi Cutrera today.
Over the decades, the company has evolved from a local oil mill into one of Italy’s most respected producers, earning international recognition while remaining firmly connected to its Sicilian roots.
The Terroir
Frantoi Cutrera is based in southeastern Sicily, within the territory of the Iblei Mountains, one of Italy’s most important olive-growing regions.
Here, rolling hills descend toward the Mediterranean coast, creating a landscape where altitude, sea breezes, sunlight, and mineral-rich soils combine to produce olives of remarkable quality and character.
The Mediterranean climate provides long, warm growing seasons, while constant ventilation from the nearby sea helps maintain healthy fruit throughout the year. Hot summers encourage concentration and intensity within the olives, while cooler autumn temperatures preserve aromatic freshness as harvest approaches.
The company manages approximately 150 hectares of olive groves across some of Sicily’s most prized olive-growing territories. These groves are home to a diverse collection of cultivars, including Tonda Iblea, Nocellara del Belice, Biancolilla, Moresca, and Cerasuola.
Each variety contributes distinctive characteristics. Tonda Iblea is celebrated for its vibrant tomato leaf aromas and herbaceous freshness. Nocellara del Belice brings structure and fruit intensity, while Biancolilla contributes elegance and balance. Together, they allow Frantoi Cutrera to produce oils that express both varietal character and the unique identity of Sicily.
Yet beyond the technical aspects of terroir, olive cultivation remains deeply cultural. Generations of farmers have shaped these landscapes, preserving traditional knowledge while adapting to the challenges of modern agriculture.
The Harvest
Harvest is one of the defining moments of the Frantoi Cutrera production philosophy.
The family has long been among the pioneers of early harvesting, recognizing decades ago what is now widely accepted among the world’s leading producers: exceptional extra virgin olive oil begins with healthy fruit harvested before full ripening.
For this reason, Frantoi Cutrera harvests exclusively green olives. The season typically begins in September and concludes in November, depending on the variety and growing conditions of each year.
The olives are intentionally picked before reaching full maturity, when aromatic compounds, freshness, and polyphenol concentrations are at their highest. While this approach results in lower oil yields, it produces oils with greater complexity, stability, and nutritional value.
Harvesting is carried out primarily by hand to minimize damage to the fruit. This careful approach preserves the integrity of the olives and ensures that only the highest-quality fruit enters the milling process.
Equally important is speed. The olives are transported and processed within just a few hours of harvest, preventing oxidation and preserving the vibrant flavors that define the company’s oils.
For Frantoi Cutrera, freshness is not merely a goal; it is a fundamental principle.
Production & Innovation
While exceptional fruit is essential, Frantoi Cutrera believes that extraction is where quality is ultimately realized.
The family’s expertise spans generations. Long before modern machinery transformed olive oil production, the Cutreras worked with traditional stone mills and witnessed firsthand the evolution of extraction technology. This combination of historical knowledge and technical expertise has become one of the company’s defining strengths.
Today, Frantoi Cutrera operates one of the most technologically advanced olive mills in the world.
In 2021, the company inaugurated its hyper-technological olive mill, an ambitious project designed to elevate both quality and sustainability. Utilizing advanced Industry 4.0 systems, the facility optimizes every stage of production, improving efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
The mill incorporates cutting-edge technologies including infrared sorting systems that allow only the highest-quality olives to enter production, advanced protoreactor technology, and modern two-phase extraction systems designed to maximize quality while reducing water consumption.
Every innovation serves a clear purpose: preserving the sensory and nutritional integrity of the olive oil while maintaining absolute control over the extraction process.
The facility has also become an international center for olive oil education and research, attracting producers, researchers, and professionals interested in the future of premium olive oil production.
Growth & Vision
Innovation continues to drive the company’s future.
In 2012, Frantoi Cutrera diversified beyond olive oil with the creation of the Segreti di Sicilia line, a collection of traditional Sicilian preserves inspired by historic family recipes and local culinary traditions.
More recently, the company has embarked on an ambitious expansion strategy designed to strengthen its presence across Sicily’s most important olive-growing regions.
In 2024, new facilities were established in Castelvetrano and Poggioreale, further expanding production capacity and regional presence. Looking ahead, Frantoi Cutrera plans to develop a third production and commercial hub on Mount Etna, creating a permanent presence within one of Sicily’s most prestigious agricultural landscapes.
These investments reflect the company’s long-term vision: preserving Sicilian olive oil traditions while continuing to lead innovation, research, and international outreach.
The People Behind the Oil
At the heart of Frantoi Cutrera is a family whose life has always revolved around olive oil.
From Giovanni and Maria’s original vision in 1979 to the generations leading the company today, the family has maintained an unwavering commitment to quality, authenticity, and continuous improvement.
Their philosophy is built upon a simple belief: great olive oil is never the result of a single factor. It requires exceptional fruit, deep technical expertise, respect for tradition, and the willingness to embrace innovation when it genuinely improves quality.
For the Cutrera family, olive oil is more than an agricultural product. It is the expression of a territory, a culture, and a lifetime spent understanding how to bring out the very best that Sicily can offer.
“Our land is generous, but it is experience in extraction that makes the difference. We were born and raised in oil mills. Olive oil is part of who we are.”
Frantoi Cutrera
Enquiries
To learn more about the company and its products, visit frantoicutrera.it.
For trade, wholesale, hospitality, or distribution enquiries, please contact Olive Oil Lovers or Frantoi Cutrera directly through their official channels
