A conversation with Rocco and Domenico

A wide-ranging conversation with Rocco and Domenico about the challenges facing a family farm in a world increasingly focused on sustainability.

Q. How are you committed to sustainable farming?

Sustainable farming is a widely used term today. It includes agricultural practices that respect the environment and natural resources. We pay close attention to this in everything we do. We are currently converting to organic farming: a major step that removes a range of polluting and harmful substances from the production cycle. One practice we are particularly proud of is maintaining ground cover, which encourages plant and animal life in the olive grove.

Q. Is there a particular story about producing your olive oil that you would like to share?

One of the greatest challenges in our work is maintaining steady production from one year to the next, given the marked seasonal variation. Over the years, we have achieved a moderate to low but fairly consistent yield from our Nocellara del Belice trees through flexible, balanced annual pruning that encourages young, new branches. Every year we devote entire months to demanding work carried out entirely by hand. It is the most delicate and challenging part of our work in the groves.

Q. Who or what is your greatest source of inspiration?

The answer is simple: our father Carlo, who also founded the farm. Tunnaliva is the natural development and continuation of what he has built over the years. We greatly admire his dedication and the initiative he brings to new projects, even demanding ones.

Q. What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

The main challenge is running a small business with limited resources and competing in an olive oil market with major national and international players. We are a little like David against Goliath. That has helped us find alternative yet effective ways to bring our extra virgin olive oil to a high standard of quality and then introduce it to as many people as possible, both in Italy and abroad.

Q. How do you hope to pass on your passion and knowledge to future generations?

From Tunnaliva’s very first day, we decided to place a strong emphasis on communication. We regularly share the olive growing and oil production in which we are directly involved on our social media pages, with texts, images and videos about pruning, soil care and harvesting, to name just a few subjects. We believe this can convey the passion we bring to our daily work and inspire younger generations. We hope to develop this storytelling further by organising visits to the groves at significant times of year, such as the harvest.