14 Best Italian Olive Oil Brands to Try

Olive oil has long been a staple in Italian cuisine and culture, with its roots extending back to ancient times.

From the sun-kissed olive trees that dot the Italian countryside to the countless bottles of extra-virgin olive oil that line the shelves of every grocery store, Italy is synonymous with the best quality, flavorful olive oils.

In this article, we’re excited to introduce you to the best Italian olive oil brands on the market, so you can elevate your home cooking and ensure you’re using only the finest ingredients.

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

How to Choose the Right Italian Olive Oil for Your Needs

When shopping for Italian olive oil, consider the following tips to ensure you choose the best product for your needs:

Avoid choosing the cheapest bottle, as it may indicate low quality. Instead, check the cost per liter and carefully read the label.
Pay attention to the origin of the oil, as it should be indicated on the label (e.g., “Italy” or “European Union”). Look for oils with olives harvested and pressed in the same geographical area.
Italy produces hundreds of varieties of olives, leading to diverse flavors and profiles. High-quality, authentic Italian olive oil often costs more than other European or non-European oils, which may increase the risk of fraud or counterfeiting.
Essential label information to look for includes the producer, classification, name of the oil, expiry date, and geographical indications. Optional but helpful details include the harvest date and bottling date.
High-quality olive oil production involves quick harvesting and pressing, cold-grinding the olives, and storage in steel containers to preserve the genuine flavor.
Ensure the oil is labeled as “extra virgin olive oil” and obtained only through the mechanical pressing of the olives without industrial processes or heating.

Looking for the perfect Italian-themed gift? Check out our list of fantastic gift ideas with an Italian twist.

What Are the 14 Best Italian Olive Oil Brands?

We’ve carefully curated a list of the top 14 Italian olive oil producers, each with unique flavor profiles and characteristics.

Whether you’re drizzling olive oil on your salad, cooking a delicious pasta dish, or simply dipping a piece of crusty bread into a fragrant pool of golden oil, you’ll find the perfect choice among these exceptional brands.

So, let’s embark on a journey to discover the art of good olive oil from Italy and explore the best Italian olive oil brands that will make your taste buds sing.

1. Monini: Affordable Quality for Everyday Cooking

Family-owned since 1920, Monini has focused on providing high-quality, affordable olive oil for everyday cooking. Their versatile oil is perfect for various dishes and flavors, from Italian cuisine to salads and bruschetta. Monini’s simple, colorful packaging and dark bottle ensure the oil’s longevity.

Monini Olive Oil At-a-Glance

Established in 1920, Monini is a family-owned brand passed down through three generations.
Versatile oil suits various dishes, from Italian cuisine to salad dressing and bruschetta.
Focuses on high-quality, affordable olive oil.
Olives are carefully harvested at the perfect ripeness for the best oil flavor.
Simple, colorful packaging with a dark bottle ensures the oil’s longevity.
Recommended Oil: Monini Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 25 oz – This extra virgin olive oil has a balanced and harmonious flavor, with notes of almond, bitterness, and a delicate peppery aftertaste. It’s made from fresh olives and can be used in various dishes, especially with red meat, roasts, sauces, and marinades.

2. Bertolli Olive Oil: A Classic Italian Brand

Bertolli, founded in 1865 in Tuscany, has become a leading Italian olive oil brand renowned for its high-quality and reasonably-priced products.

Their versatile extra virgin oil is perfect for various cooking techniques, making it a kitchen essential. Reasonably priced, Bertolli olive oil is highly valued and widely available, especially in the US.

Bertolli Olive Oil At-a-Glance

Perfect for high-heat cooking, frying, baking, and grilling.
Known for high-quality olive oil at a reasonable price.
Bertolli’s extra virgin olive oil is greatly appreciated and accessible in the United States.
Recommended Oil: Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made with better olives grown in quality soil, following 150 years of tradition and expertise in sampling, blending, bottling, and shipping the best olive oils to consumers worldwide, and it’s perfect for cooking, meats, fish, pasta, and vegetables.

3. De Cecco: From Pasta to Premium Olive Oil

De Cecco, an Italian food company founded in 1886, is renowned for its pasta, extra virgin olive oil, and tomato products. Their high quality olive oil offers a unique, superior taste experience with a variety of flavors to choose from.

There’s an option for every palate with six varieties available, including classic, 100% Italian, fruity, delicate, unfiltered, and exclusive.

De Cecco Oil At-a-Glance

De Cecco is an Italian food company founded in 1886, known for pasta, extra virgin olive oil, and tomato products.
One of the leading pasta producers worldwide, with a wide range of products.
Selects the best Italian and European oils for a unique, superior taste experience.
Extra virgin olive oil features an intense, persistent aroma of freshly cut grass and a balanced bitter and spicy flavor.
Recommended Oil: De Cecco Classico (best-selling), 100% Italian, fruity, delicate, unfiltered, and exclusive.

Suggested Read: Top 100 fascinating Italian food facts.

4. Carapelli: A Century of Quality and Tradition

Carapelli, founded in 1893 in Tuscany, has a rich history of providing exceptional olive oil to Italians and the world. Their dedication to the highest quality and tradition has made them a popular choice for extra virgin olive oil.

Their “Oro Verde” – a 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil with a lively, intense, fruity taste – is protected by a dark green glass bottle that preserves color, flavor, and aroma.

Carapelli Oil At-a-Glance

Carapelli, by many considered one of the top olive oil brands in the world, has over 125 years of experience in the olive oil sector.
Meticulous choice of top-notch Italian and European oils.
Constant focus on innovation, without forgetting tradition.
Recommended Oil: Carapelli Unfiltered Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – a natural and artful product with a unique, rustic flavor that combines fresh vegetable, nut, and apple notes, with medium bitterness and spiciness. It’s perfect for cooking and everyday use and pairs well with milder foods like vegetables, salads, fish, and desserts. The state-of-the-art bottle design ensures the oil’s quality and longevity.

5. Garda D.O.P.: Unique Aromas and Protected Designation

Garda DOP is a distinctive Italian extra virgin olive oil with unique aromas and a Protected Designation of Origin.

Its exceptional qualities, such as aromatic herbs, hay, artichoke, almond aftertaste, and fresh grass, make it a must-try option for everyday cooking. With a low acidity of 0.5% and a reasonable price, Garda DOP stands out as a premium choice.

Garda D.O.P. At-a-Glance

Unique aromas include aromatic herbs, hay, artichoke, almond aftertaste, and fresh grass.
Garda Protected Designation of Origin olives used in production.
Colors can range from green to yellow, with medium fruity or light scents.
Low acidity at 0.5%.
Higher price option
Recommended Oil: Garda D.O.P 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a delicate flavor and unique aroma. Made from olives grown in Brescia, Verona, Mantua, and Trento, this oil is versatile and can be used for cooking or as a finishing oil. It pairs well with various dishes and can also be used in desserts.

6. Desantis: Puglia’s Pride in Olive Oil Production

Hailing from Puglia, Desantis has grown from a family oil mill into a market leader in Italy and abroad. Their commitment to tradition and quality has made them a popular choice for 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil, combining affordability with exceptional taste.

Desantis Oil At-a-Glance

Founded in the 1950s by Giovanni Desantis, with packaging beginning in the 60s and 70s.
Significant growth in the European Market while maintaining ties to peasant culture and traditions.
Olearia Desantis S.p.A. covers 20,000 square meters, with 6,000 covered.
100% Italian Desantis extra virgin olive oil combines quality and affordability. Crafted from the finest olives in the Bari region.

7. Sasso: Tradition, Competence, and Quality

Established in 1860 in Oneglia, Sasso quickly became the primary producer of branded oil due to their commitment to tradition, competence, and passion for quality. They focus on quality control and consistency, respecting and renewing centuries-old traditions.

Sasso Oil At-a-Glance

Purchases olives and oil from Liguria and throughout Italy.
Focus on quality control and consistency of flavor and taste.
Early successes are attributed to the pioneering spirit of the Novaro family.
Sasso brand respects and renews centuries-old traditions, raw material selection, and rigorous controls.
Recommended Oil: Sasso Olio di Oliva – Available since 1860, this oil is a healthy substitute for butter and other unhealthy vegetable oils, perfect for cooking, and can also be used for skin care. It should be stored in a cool, dark place.

Suggested Read: Olive Oil from Spain vs Italy Guide: Which is Better?

8. Coricelli: A Family Legacy in Olive Oil

Coricelli, debuting in 1939 in Spoleto, Umbria, has been passing on the passion for genuine flavors from generation to generation, becoming one of the largest oil companies in Europe. They prioritize safety, quality, and intense aromas and flavors while remaining environmentally responsible and focused on sustainable growth.

Coricelli Oil At-a-Glance

Exports to over 110 countries worldwide, making it a globally distributed Italian brand.
Over 70 years of commitment to safety, quality, and intense aromas and flavors.
Embraces the most crucial quality benchmarks relevant to food industry enterprises.
Environmentally responsible and focused on sustainable growth.
Recommended Oil: Casa Coricelli 100% Pure Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This high-quality, authentic Italian product is made from carefully blending the best extra virgin olive oils with an intense olive aroma, fruity flavor with hints of almond and a bitter-spicy aftertaste. Ideal for finishing roasts, field vegetables, and rich first courses.

9. Antico Frantoio Muraglia: Family-Owned Artistry and Excellence

Antico Frantoio Muraglia, a family-owned enterprise for five generations, crafts exceptional olive oil from olive groves in Puglia, using two types of olives, Coratina and Peranzana, each exhibiting a unique character. Their bottle of olive oil boasts fruity notes, pleasant bitterness, and a gentle peppery finish, all encapsulated in stunning hand-painted ceramic bottles.

Antico Frantoio Muraglia At-a-Glance

Emphasizes olive oil’s importance in enhancing every dish’s characteristics and flavors.
Produces twelve varieties of olive oil to complement a variety of dishes.
Oils from Puglia boast fruity notes, pleasant bitterness, and a gentle peppery finish.
Beautiful hand-painted ceramic bottles remind us of Italy’s rich artistic heritage.
Recommended Oil: Antico Frantoio Muraglia Intense Fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Apulia – This oil is made from hand-harvested Coratina olives, following ancient traditions, and packaged in hand-molded, beautifully decorated bottles that make for a unique and stunning gift. This Italian EVOO is versatile, healthy, delicious, and a great addition to any Mediterranean dish, providing peppery and fruity layers of flavor.

10. Pianogrillo: Artistry and Tradition in Olive Oil Production

Lorenzo Piccione, a multifaceted talent, is the driving force behind Pianogrillo farm in Chiaramonte Gulfi, southeast Sicilia. Preserving family traditions, he produces exceptional olive oil, wine, and other products while focusing on quality, low acidity, and balanced fruitiness and spiciness.

Pianogrillo Oil At-a-Glance

Transformed a historic property into a modern farm.
Preserve family flavors and traditions: Sicilian wine, Nero Ibleo local pig breeding, Tonda Iblea extra virgin olive oil, and Castelvetrano olives.
Recommended Oil: Pianogrillo Farm Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Low acidity, balanced fruitiness, and spiciness with the aroma of green tomato leaf, artichoke, and herbaceous taste, made from monocultivar Tonda Iblea.

11. Dante: A Rich History and Global Presence

Dante’s legacy began in 1849 when Andrea Costa started trading olive oil and textiles from Sardinia to Liguria. His son, Giacomo, envisioned bringing Italy to kitchens worldwide. By 1898, Dante oil was exported to North America, Argentina, and Australia.

In 2009, Oleifici Mataluni of Montesarchio acquired the brand, returning it to Italian ownership. Production continues in Montesarchio, Campania, maintaining its rich history and global presence.

Dante Oil At-a-Glance

Giacomo Costa, son of Andrea, had an ambitious vision of bringing Italy to kitchens worldwide.
Dante oil was shipped to North America, Argentina, and Australia as early as 1898.
Eventually acquired by the Oleifici Mataluni of Montesarchio in 2009, bringing the brand back to Italian ownership.
Production continues in Montesarchio, Campania.

12. Coppini Classico: Exceptional Taste at an Affordable Price

Internationally recognized for its extraordinary Italian extra virgin olive oil, Coppini Classico offers a balanced taste that enhances pasta dishes. With a sweet base and fruity, intense notes, the ‘extra virgin’ label ensures a simple, chemical-free extraction process. Specialists verify handpicked olives for their aroma and taste. The relatively low price appeals to a broad audience.

Lucius Oil At-a-Glance

Balanced taste ensures delicious pasta dishes every time.
Sweet base with fruity and intense notes.
‘Extra virgin’ title indicates an unrefined, chemical-free extraction process.
Handpicked olives verified by specialists for their aroma and taste.
Recommended Oil: Coppini 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil is cold extracted and made from selected Italian olives with a balanced, lightly fruity, and intense flavor. It’s perfect for all fresh and cooked dishes and has been a tradition of the Coppini family for over 60 years. It’s certified kosher and an authentic product of Italy.

13. Farchioni: A Family Tradition of Excellence Since 1780

Farchioni has transformed raw materials into reasonably priced, high-quality products for over two centuries. From the heart of Umbria, their range includes oil, wine, beer, and flour, emphasizing a controlled supply chain, innovation, and environmental and social sustainability.

Competing globally, the family oversees quality and selection across their extensive olive oil offerings, including extra virgin, delicate, fruity, 100% Italian, organic, and Novello varieties.

Farchioni Oil At-a-Glance

Products include oil, wine, beer, and flour from the heart of Umbria.
Emphasizes a controlled supply chain, innovation, and environmental and social sustainability.
Farchioni olive oil has reached significant competitive levels in the global market.
The family personally ensures quality and selection across all their products.
Offers a wide range of olive oil products, including extra virgin, delicate, fruity, 100% Italian, and organic.
Recommended Oil: Farchioni Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This Italian olive oil is made from carefully selected olives and is entirely produced in Italy. It has a consistent quality and can be used for various cooking purposes, including raw food, sauces, side dishes, roasted meat, and cakes, without disrupting the balance of the dishes.

14. Olio Carli: Passion, Tradition, and a Wide Selection of Products

Founded by Fratelli Carli out of a love for Mediterranean culture and tradition, Olio Carli offers a diverse product range, including olive oils, condiments, pasta, sweets, and snacks.

Family-owned for over a century, the brand provides olive oil options from extra virgin to traditional varieties, catering to all tastes. With affordable pricing, Olio Carli’s olive oils are trusted for quality and taste in numerous households.

Olio Carli At-a-Glance

Offers a variety of products, including olive oils, condiments, pasta, sweets, and snacks.
Family-owned since 1911, passing through four generations.
Olive oil offerings range from extra virgin to traditional varieties.
Wide selection of some of the best extra virgin olive oils to suit all tastes.
Carli olive oils are trusted for quality and taste in numerous households.
Recommended Oil: Olio Carli Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This Italian olive oil has a light and delicate fruity flavor with a slight hint of almonds, made entirely from the finest Italian olives, and has a low acidity level of 0.3%, well below the EVOO standard of 0.8%.

Discovering the Perfect Olive Oil: Elevate Your Culinary Experience with Italy’s Finest

extra virgin olive oil on a delicious salad

From the ancient olive trees that have nourished Italy’s landscape for centuries to the modern-day olive oil producers who expertly extract the liquid gold from each handpicked fruit, you can trust that these olive oil Italian brands represent the pinnacle of quality and flavor.

We encourage you to explore and experiment with the different oils featured in this article. A robust, peppery oil is perfect for drizzling on your salad. In contrast, a smoother, more delicate oil enhances the flavor of your favorite pasta dish.

With such a wide variety of high-quality options, there’s no reason to settle for anything less than the best Italian olive oil.

Remember, good olive oil can elevate a dish from ordinary to extraordinary. With so many exceptional Italian olive oil brands at your disposal, there’s never been a better time to explore and savor the flavors of Italy. Buon appetito!