AZIENDA AGRICOLA CALZIA EMANUELE

Calzia is a family name that exists only in western Liguria and in Sardinia. And those in Sardinia are originally from western Liguria, where the name has been around since the 13th century. The Calzias, with deep roots between Villa Guardia and now, and above all, Villa Viani, are at the heart of the Imperial Valley’s olive growing industry. At a very young age Emanuele Calzia inherited the nearby Minasso di Caravonica olive grove from his mother and father, creating an important company with a modern concept. He is extraordinarily committed to his work. No one will ever see Emanuele or any other member of the family far from their beloved olives, not even in their thoughts. Caring for the groves requires a constant commitment: fertilisation, pruning carried out according to a technique that’s in the family’s DNA, looking after the trees and the land all the way up to the harvest, which is all-consuming. That’s when you’ll easily find Emanuele in every corner of the Vila Viani land and beyond, most likely near a tree or straddling its branches, intent on hand raking the olives. Furthermore the farm has its own continuous cycle oil mill, built in 2000 and constantly in operation. The root of this whole system, the apex of which is DOP Riviera Ligure extra virgin olive oil, is the amount of land that the family manages. Near Emanuele’s home is Giarin (which translates to “Garden”), low and sloping terraces of fertile land. Further up, and near the oil mill, is Costa and then Buonazoa (where “Buna” means “Good” – and that tells you all you need to know) as well as other sites like Pusoi, with its beautiful trees. Harvesting actually begins at the lower altitudes and then moves up to the higher ones. The olives are harvested according to which ones are most ripe, guaranteeing a product that is always optimal.