Frequently asked questions
Our oil, orders and shipping
The Belfiori farm
- Company
- Azienda Agricola Belfiori S.S.A., a family-run farm
- Address
- Via Aurelia Sud 55, 01010 Monte Romano (VT), in the Tuscia area near Viterbo, Lazio, Italy
- Active since
- 1970
- What we produce
- Organic extra virgin olive oil, cold-extracted
- Varieties grown
- Leccino, Frantoio, Canino and Maurino
- Olive groves
- South-facing hills of Monte Romano, between 50 and 370 metres
- Harvest
- From October, while the olives are still green, processed within a few hours
- Oils
- Verde Imperiale (single-variety Canino, filtered) and Fondo d'Oro (unfiltered)
- Sizes
- 5-litre tin and 500 ml bottle
- Sales
- Direct: at the farm and online, shipping to Italy and Europe
- Phone and WhatsApp
- +39 333 327 5955
The oil
What oil do you produce?
We produce organic extra virgin olive oil, made only from the olives of our own groves in Monte Romano and cold-extracted within a few hours of harvesting. There are two oils: Verde Imperiale, filtered, and Fondo d'Oro, unfiltered.
What is the difference between Verde Imperiale and Fondo d'Oro?
Verde Imperiale comes from the Canino cultivar alone, native to Monte Romano, and is filtered right after extraction: it is clear, intense green, with aromas of fresh olive, cut grass and artichoke, a graceful bitterness and a lively peppery finish. Fondo d'Oro is the unfiltered new-harvest oil, from several varieties of our groves: it is veiled, deep green and almost creamy, with firm bitterness and lively pepper. We make only a few bottles, in the months after the harvest.
Which is better, filtered or unfiltered oil?
It depends on how you use it. A filtered oil, like Verde Imperiale, is clear and stable and keeps its aromas and polyphenols for longer. An unfiltered oil, like Fondo d'Oro, is bottled with its natural veil and is at its best in the months after the harvest.
What is the sediment at the bottom of the Fondo d'Oro bottle?
It is olive pulp: a golden sediment that settles at the bottom of the bottle over time, and that is where the name comes from. It is not a defect: just shake gently before use.
Why is the oil bitter and peppery in the throat?
Bitterness and pepperiness come from polyphenols, antioxidants that are abundant in olives harvested while still green. They are preserved in a cold-extracted extra virgin oil, while they are lost through refining and heat: they are the sign of a fresh oil, from healthy olives processed straight away.
Which olive varieties do you grow?
Four: Leccino, delicate and sweet; Frantoio, intensely fruity; Canino, peppery and slightly bitter, the variety native to Monte Romano; and Maurino, aromatic and prized. They grow on the south-facing hills of Monte Romano, between 50 and 370 metres.
When and how do you harvest the olives?
From October, when the fruit is still green, straight from the tree and in the early morning hours. The olives are processed within a few hours: the early harvest gives an oil rich in polyphenols, with very low acidity and an intense, fruity aroma.
How should the oil be stored and how long does it keep?
Keep it away from light, heat and air, in a cool, dry place between 14 and 18 °C, with the cap always tightly closed. Used within 12-18 months of the harvest, it best expresses its aromas and properties.
How is it best used in the kitchen?
Raw — a drizzle is enough: on bruschetta, vegetables, soups and grilled meats. Added at the end, rather than during cooking, it keeps all its aromas.
Buying and shipping
Where are you and can I buy directly from you?
We are at Via Aurelia Sud 55 in Monte Romano, in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of Tuscia, Italy. We sell directly, with no middlemen: you can buy the oil at the farm or online, from the shop on this site. If you plan to visit the farm, please write or call us first.
Which sizes do you sell?
Verde Imperiale is available in a 5-litre tin and a 500 ml bottle. Fondo d'Oro in a 500 ml bottle. Current prices and availability are on the Shop page.
How much is shipping within Italy and how long does it take?
Within Italy shipping is free from €180. Below that amount the cost depends on the weight and is shown in the cart before you pay. Delivery takes 3–6 working days from dispatch; for orders of 5 bottles or more allow 6–10 working days.
Do you ship abroad?
Yes: we ship across the European Union, to Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Norway, with delivery in 5–12 working days. The cost depends on the country and the weight and is shown in the cart. Outside the EU, any customs duties are paid by the recipient.
How can I pay and will I get an invoice?
You can pay by credit or debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay, through the secure Stripe network. You will receive an invoice for every order: we ask for the details in the cart.
What is a pre-order?
It is buying an oil before it is ready to ship: you pay when ordering and we ship from the date shown on the product page. If your cart contains a pre-order, the whole order ships together.
Can I return the oil if I change my mind?
Yes, if you buy as a private customer you have 14 days from delivery, with no need to give a reason. Products must be intact, sealed and unopened; return shipping is at your expense. We refund you within 14 days of your notice, including the order's shipping costs.
What should I do if the parcel arrives damaged?
If the parcel is visibly damaged, accept it "with reservation" and have the courier note it. If a product arrives broken or is not what you ordered, write to us as soon as possible, ideally within 7 days, with a few photos: we will replace it or refund you, at our expense.
Do you also sell to restaurants and shops?
Yes. For restaurants, shops or orders over 30 kg, contact us on WhatsApp or through the form on the Contact page: we will prepare a tailored quote with dedicated shipping.