Our story
On the outskirts of Gibellina, a village in the
province of Trapani where contemporary art
blends with the natural landscape, lies the
Abita district, where our extra virgin olive
oil comes to life. This product encapsulates
the richness of the land and the essence of
culture.
​
The adventure began in the 1960s, thanks to
the tenacity of Grandfather Vito, who,
enchanted by the magic of that land,
envisioned an unparalleled olive oil from the
"Nocellara del Belice" and "Biancolilla"
cultivars.
And time, as always, proved its wisdom.
​
​Each Abita olive is harvested at a specific
time of year, thanks to the expertise and
professionalism of our team led by Vito, one
of the founders, and his father Giacomo, who
care for the trees following traditions passed
down by their grandfather. Cold pressing,
done on the same day as the harvest and at
temperatures below 27°C, preserves all the
beneficial properties of the olive. This meticulousness in the process, combined with the ideal conditions of the fruit, ensures an acidity level below 0.3%, making ABITA one of the extra virgin olive oils with the lowest acidity available on the market. ABITA olive oil is rich in polyphenols, with a high content of vitamin E and oleic acid, properties that give it a unique taste and also make it a valuable ally for our health.
​
The deep roots in Sicily stretch beyond the Italian border, reaching Switzerland, where Mauro, the other founder of the ABITA project, resides. The common thread connecting the historic village of Gibellina and modern Lugano infuses ABITA with a unique character, merging tradition and innovation.
Thus arose the need to take our product abroad. Each bottle tells the story of a journey that begins in the green valleys of Belice and reaches homes around the world.
​
Today, ABITA is a name that resonates with quality, tradition, and authenticity, but also with the concept of home.
​
Discover ABITA, and savor each drop of Sicily, on a journey that combines authentic taste with the purest emotions of art.​
La nostra etichetta
Our “Testa di Moro” or Moors head is a characteristic object of the Sicilian tradition. It is an hand-painted ceramic vase used as an ornament that depicts the face of a dark man usually accompanied by a young woman. But what do they represent? What is the story of Moro’s heads? The story is very interesting: during the Moors domination in Sicily in the 11th century, there was a lovely young girl with silky black hair and eyes of the sea of Palermo who lived in the lively Arab Kalsa neighbourhood of Palermo. During this time, the Moors built ceramic workshops all over the island while introducing new techniques consisting of new shapes and colours of majolica to the local Sicilians. As the legend goes, the young lady used to spend her time at home and on her balcony caring for her plants and flowers. Young women were unable to go out alone at this time in Sicily, so the balcony serves as a glimpse of freedom.
One day, a young Moorish merchant noticed the young woman and instantly became captivated by her rare beauty and declared his love for her. Flattered and moved by his passion, she surrendered her love and virtue to him. Dishonoured and stripped of her virtue, the young maiden soon learned the Moro would return to his country where his wife and children waited for him. Blinded by rage and heartache, the young woman waited until nightfall for him to fall asleep.
She crept into the kitchen and returned to the bedroom with a knife, where she decapitated her beloved and made a vase out of the Moro’s head where she planted some basil and put it on display outside on the balcony. The Moor, in this way, unable to leave, would have remained with her forever. Meanwhile, the basil grew luxuriantly and aroused the envy of all the inhabitants of the neighbourhood who, in order not to be outdone, had specially built terra-cotta pots in the shape of a Moor’s Head.
About us
Mauro Campisi
Founder. He lives in Lugano, Switzerland.
Extra virgin olive oil Sommelier.
Vito Bonanno
Founder of Abita. He lives in Sicily. Agronomist, specialized in agricultural production and quality certifications.
Our team
Our family members, a team of expert farmers supporting the Abita project.