The PDO Tuscia mark identifies an extra virgin olive oil directly tied to the territory of the province of Viterbo, certifying its origin, traceability and quality. It is a designation recognised at European level, protecting both local producers and anyone looking for a genuine oil of certain provenance. Understanding its rules helps you read the label better and choose with awareness.
Where PDO Tuscia oil is born
The production area covers many towns of the Viterbo Tuscia, including Vetralla, Tuscania, Canino, Blera, Montefiascone and Viterbo: volcanic hills and a mild climate, conditions that are directly reflected in the character of the oil. This is also where Frantoio Cesare Battisti in Vetralla operates, one of the historic producers that help to promote the area’s PDO oil.
The olive varieties
PDO Tuscia oil is made mainly from Caninese olives, a native variety present for centuries in the Viterbo area, alongside cultivars such as Frantoio and Leccino. The Caninese is the heart of this designation: it has adapted over the centuries to the volcanic soils and the local microclimate, and it gives an oil with a recognisable profile. With us it has always been at the centre of production.
What the specification requires
The PDO specification sets precise rules, designed to guarantee quality and a bond with the land:
- harvest (by hand or machine) by 31 December;
- milling within 24 hours of harvest;
- cold extraction;
- free acidity no higher than 0.6%.
Each requirement has a technical reason: harvesting by the end of the year picks the olives before over-ripeness lowers their quality, rapid milling avoids fermentation and acidity, cold extraction preserves aromas and polyphenols. Compliance with these parameters is verified by an independent control body. These are guidelines we follow carefully, managing every stage from harvest to processing.
Why choose it from Frantoio Cesare Battisti
Buying PDO Tuscia oil directly from us, in Vetralla, means choosing a local, guaranteed product, processed within hours of harvest and fully traceable. The short supply chain cuts out intermediate steps and brings to the table an oil whose origin, vintage and processing method are known. The cooperative, founded in 1919, is today one of the reference points of the Viterbo olive supply chain, with more than 500 members and a dedicated shop.
Its medium fruitiness, with notes of almond and herbs and a balanced pungency, makes it perfect raw on grilled vegetables, pulses, soups or simple home-baked bread, where its character comes through without covering the other flavours. Would you like to taste it? Buy our oil or get in touch.