Olio Barbera: Sicilian Olive Oil Since 1894

To Italians, olive oil is more than an ingredient. It is part of their identity, woven into everyday cooking and longstanding traditions. The same is true for the Barbera family, which has overseen one of Sicily's oldest olive oil companies for generations. For them, olive oil is a way of life.

A family company since 1894

Olio Barbera was founded in 1894, in partnership with the Florio family. It remains the only historic Italian olive oil brand still owned and operated by its founding family. Today Manfredi Barbera, whose great-grandfather Lorenzo Giuliano Ferreri Barbera founded the company, looks for innovative ways to bring Sicilian olive oil to tables around the world while honoring the traditions that shaped it.

Since Manfredi took over the family business in 1981, exports have grown to more than 30 countries across five continents. Even so, the Sicilian roots remain present in every bottle. The company sources olives from local growers, partners with small producers across the island and is committed to protecting Sicily's olive oil traditions. Its range of certifications includes PDO, PGI and organic.

1910: oil in glass

Innovation has long defined the company. In 1910, inspired by the bottling processes used for Marsala wine, Olio Barbera became one of the first olive oil producers to use glass bottles instead of tins. The decision set the company apart, preserved the freshness and quality of its oils and let them travel safely across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

Tradition and technology

That spirit continues. Olio Barbera balances traditional knowledge with evolving technology, investing in modern milling and bottling systems designed to protect the integrity of the olives. Experimental milling techniques help the company explore how best to preserve the olives and enhance their aromas and flavors.

Like wine, olive oil can express the land where the fruit is grown. Olio Barbera oils are known for their balance and complexity, and each bottle captures a different facet of the Sicilian landscape. Some showcase the rolling hills of Trapani, while others highlight the mineral-rich volcanic soils around Mount Etna.

The fifth generation

Manfredi's sons, Lorenzo and Carlo, are now joining the business as the fifth generation. The family hopes its traditions will continue to shine through in every drizzle of Olio Barbera olive oil.