Press Review
When the trade press writes about Oleificio Cericola, the focus is on what sets our work apart: the quality of our pitted extra virgin olive oil and the care devoted to every stage of the production process, from the olive tree to the bottle.
The articles featured on this page highlight our deep connection to the land, our direct oversight of the olive harvest, the immediate processing carried out in our own olive mill, and our choice of controlled olive pitting, a technique that requires both expertise and advanced technology.
For us, every press feature is more than just a mention: it is a sign of genuine interest in an agricultural project that brings together Apulian tradition, technological innovation and a constant pursuit of quality. These articles tell our story, but we want our oil to speak for itself before any words are spoken.
[ Press Office managed by Media Ambience, Milan ]
April 2026
We quote the opening paragraph from Paolo Massobrio’s article, published on April 9, 2026: “The packaging of the Apulian monocultivar and cru oils is beautiful. In Borgo Incoronata (Foggia), where the breeze that sweeps through centuries-old olive trees meets the steel heartbeat of the most advanced technology. Here, in 1998, Pietro Leone founded Oleificio Cericola, transforming a family dream into a benchmark for Apulian excellence. Not just an olive mill, but an open-air laboratory where the Olive Oil Heritage — the heritage of land, culture, and skilled hands — merges with a pioneering vision looking to the future. Cericola’s distinctive hallmark has a single name: innovation.”
☛ Oleificio Cericola: Pitted Olive Oil Innovation at the Forefront
Food industry
☛ Controlled Olive Pitting (file .PDF)
March 2026
Cutting-Edge Technologies | A patented controlled olive pitting system is revolutionizing the industry.
On one hand, the innovative Moliden-Leone technology—an advanced evolution of traditional olive crushing systems—achieves oil extraction efficiency of up to 85.9%, while simultaneously increasing total phenols by more than 40% and aromatic aldehydes by over 20%. On the other hand, Oleificio Cericola offers a comprehensive turnkey olive grove planting service, providing customers with a complete solution from planning to implementation.
More Courage | To save Italian olive growing, we need to plant olive trees.
Not hundreds or thousands, but millions and millions of olive trees. Above all, these trees must be planted according to principles of modern, efficient cultivation. There is, however, a problem: talking about high-density olive growing is practically forbidden because it risks being labelled as an abomination. As a result, people resort to euphemisms to avoid attacks, insults, or even threats.
March 2026
Controlled olive pitting and a smart supply chain: the cutting-edge technologies showcased by Oleificio Cericola at Enoliexpo 2026 in Bari, the leading technical trade fair for the olive and olive oil sector.
The company is active in two distinct yet complementary areas: as an olive oil producer, through its commitment to the cultivation of olive groves, and as Leone Group, the division specialised in the sale of advanced pitting machines and technical support for olive mills.
Scientific studies conducted by the Universities of Bari, Foggia, and Perugia have shown that the use of Moliden-Leone technology can increase oil extraction efficiency to as much as 85.9%, outperforming conventional systems, while also delivering a significant improvement in the quality of extra virgin olive oil. In particular, the studies recorded increases of more than 40% in total phenols and over 20% in aromatic aldehydes.
Oleificio Cericola is taking part in Enoliexpo 2026 in Bari, the leading technical trade fair for the olive and olive oil sector. The company is active in two distinct yet complementary areas: as an olive oil producer, through its commitment to the cultivation of olive groves, and as Leone Group, the division specialising in the sale of advanced pitting machines and technical support for olive mills.
l’Attacco
Research, innovation and industry come together at the trade fair to shape the future of the olive oil and wine sectors.
☛ The Future of the Olive Oil Supply Chain (21.03.2026 – File .PDF)
March 2026
Oleificio Cericola and Olmas Italia – An innovative olive mill and the first agricultural cooperative based on a high-density olive cultivation system. It all began in 1998 with the goal of optimising yields without compromising the quality of extra virgin olive oil from different cultivars. In 2014, this pioneering collaborative venture, led by Pietro Leone, went on to become a benchmark model over the years.
Oleificio Cericola is taking part in Enoliexpo 2026 in Bari, the leading technical trade fair for the olive and olive oil sector. The company is active in two distinct yet complementary areas: as an olive oil producer, through its commitment to the cultivation of olive groves, and as Leone Group, the division specialised in the sale of advanced pitting machines and technical support for olive mills.
December 2025
Creating genuine unity among businesses, especially in Southern Italy, is not easy. That is why, Oleificio Cericola, together with the other members of the OL.MA.S ITALIA cooperative, is a concrete example of how collaboration among growers can enhance their collective work, safeguard quality, and protect Italian olive oil while preserving the value of the land and local communities.
From the very beginning, Oleificio Cericola has focused on cooperation among growers as a strategic driver for meeting the evolving challenges of the market As early as 2014, it helped establish the first agricultural cooperative based on a high-density cultivation system: an innovative method of olive cultivation that optimises productivity without compromising quality, while maintaining a strong connection to tradition.
Oleificio Cericola, a historic Apulian family- owned company and an Italian leader in the production of extra virgin olive oil, has viewed cooperation among growers as a strategic driver for meeting the evolving challenges of the market from the early beginning. As early as 2014, this version let to the establishment of the first agricultural cooperative based on a high-density cultivation system.
l’Attacco
☛ Oleificio Cericola: A Model of Best Practices for Extra Virgin Olive (02.12.2025 – File .PDF)
The Team
The people behind our excellence
Pietro Leone
Founder
He devoted his entire professional life to Alfa Laval, collaborating closely with the company for many years. A promoter and technical specialist of its most advanced technologies at both local and national level, he represents the driving force behind the olive mill. Its development, growth and reputation for producing extra virgin olive oil of outstanding quality are closely linked to his expertise and vision. His passion has been passed on to his wife and children.
Luigi Leone
Field manager
Under his father’s guidance, he has gained many years of experience in the olive-growing and olive oil sector. Specialised in the cultivation of traditional and high-density olive groves, he oversees all agricultural operations and field activities.
Veronica Leone
Commercial director
She is responsible for the company’s commercial operations and client relations. Her expertise ranges from managing relationships with suppliers and customers to overseeing packaging and the marketing of the company’s extra virgin olive oil.
Michele Leone
Production director
He oversees the entire production process, from raw material selection to the mechanical and technological management of the processing facilities. Together with his father Pietro and his brother Luigi, he actively collaborates with Alfa Laval in the installation and maintenance of olive oil processing plants and contributed to the patenting of the Moliden-Leone de-stoner.
Services
We grow olive trees, we tell the story of olive oilHere, olive oil is more than just a product: it is people, craftsmanship and seasons. We support growers, open our olive mill to visitors and create memorable gifts for life’s most important occasions.
Olive tree planting supports: transform your land into value
Would you like to cultivate olive trees but lack the experience and expertise to do so?
Gourmet favours with monovarietal extra virgin olive oil
A wedding, a christening, or a special occasion: every celebration deserves a thank-you gift that will be remembered over time.
Oleificio Cericola’s offer for the Ho.Re.Ca. sector
More than twenty years of family history embodied in exclusive designer bottles: outstanding products with a contemporary character, created for the everyday needs of chefs, hoteliers, and restaurateurs.
Corporate gifts: Oleificio Cericola’s gourmet gift boxes
More than twenty years of passion for olive oil, transformed into a gift of quality: Oleificio Cericola turns corporate gifting into an experience of flavour and refinement with an authentically Apulian character
