One of six groves in our care
Balatro.
The first grove we brought back into care.
975 trees on a northeast slope between Antella and Grassina. In our care since 2009, brought back parcel by parcel.
The restoration
Where it began.
Between Antella and Grassina, Balatro was the first grove we brought back into care. Its 975 trees grow on a northeast slope. The land had been worked for generations, historically connected to the Vicchi Finzi family, before it slowly fell out of cultivation. In 2009 we began with a single grove, and Balatro has been part of everything we've done since.
Why Balatro's Leccino was picked on its own.
Most groves are harvested all at once. At Balatro, Leccino ripened ahead of everything else, so we picked it separately. In 2011 it gave the area's first single variety Leccino, and it taught us to read each variety for what it is.
From one grove to 17.4 acres.
Each time a neighbouring parcel was left behind, we brought it in: 2011, 2015, 2018. Today it is one continuous landscape again.
400 new trees where the grove was sparse.
In 2026 we began planting 400 Leccio del Corno in the parts of Balatro that were thin. A grove is restored once, but kept whole season after season.
The grove.
- Between Antella and Grassina
- 17.4 acres
- 200 metres
- Northeast facing
- 975 trees
- Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino, Pendolino, Olivo Bianco, Leccio del Corno
- In our care since 2009
The 2025 harvest
Balatro's 2025 harvest.
The season
Picked from October 8 to 15, under cool, overcast skies. Less fruit on the trees than the year before, yet a clear rise in yield.
Tasting
Green almond and green apple, fresh and composed. Bitterness and pungency are moderate and measured, balanced from entry to finish.
Pairing
Made for food where the ingredient leads. Pour it over roast chicken.
The record, 2025
100% Leccino
- Fruitiness
- 6.3/10
- Bitterness
- 4.8/10
- Pepperiness
- 5.5/10
- Polyphenols
- 640 mg/kg
- Free fatty acids
- 0.23%
- Peroxides
- 6.9 meq O₂/kg
- Monounsaturated fatty acids
- above 75%
- Pesticide residues
- not detected
2025 gave a single variety Leccino. Not every year does.
Fil's full tasting notes, pairings and the season as it happened are in My Grove.
Belong to a grove.
Every Guardian is connected to a real tree in one of our restored groves. Your tree is assigned after you join, wherever one is available, and you'll see exactly where it stands: its grove, its number, its coordinates. Each harvest, two bottles of that grove's oil are yours.
Guard a tree by December 31 for this year's harvest.
