In the sun-drenched hills of Puglia, not far from Monopoli and the Adriatic coast, lies the small village of Sicarico. Here — among olive groves older than most European cities — Uliveto di Mede has its roots. Sicarico is not just a place on the map. It is the reason our olive oil tastes the way it does.

A history that goes back to the Messapians

The origins of Sicarico go back to antiquity. The village is believed to have been founded by the Messapians, an Italic people who worked the hills of Puglia long before the Romans. Their influence is still visible today in the remains of ancient walls and archaeological finds in the area — silent witnesses to a civilisation that has been growing olives here for thousands of years.

With the rise of the Roman Empire, Sicarico became part of the vast network of settlements and trade routes that criss-crossed Puglia. The Romans — known for their engineering and their obsession with good olive oil — contributed to the village's growth. Old roads and structures recall this period.

Over the centuries, Sicarico was shaped by many cultures: Byzantines, Normans, Arabs. Each left their mark — in the architecture, the cuisine, the traditions. You can still taste that cultural richness in Apulian gastronomy today, where influences from across the Mediterranean come together around one common denominator: olive oil.

The heritage of the olive groves

Against this historical backdrop, the olive groves flourished and became the backbone of Sicarico. The combination was — and is — unique: limestone-rich soils, Mediterranean sunshine, mild winters, and knowledge passed down from father to son, generation after generation.

Some trees in the region are more than a thousand years old. Others — the so-called monumental olive trees — are estimated to be up to 3,000 years old. Their gnarled trunks look like sculptures, and their silver-green leaves rustle in a way only Apulians know. These trees are not agricultural assets — they are living witnesses to the past.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Sicarico became synonymous with high-quality olive oil. The village's "liquid gold" was traded throughout Italy and beyond.

A village that has stood the test of time

The 20th century was not kind to many Apulian villages. Economic hardship, emigration to northern Italy and abroad, and changing farming practices led to many olive groves being abandoned. Centuries-old trees — which had provided for generations — were left untended.

Today Sicarico bears the scars of that time, but also its resilience. Walk through the village and you will see centuries-old walls next to modern houses, tradition alongside renewal. It is a village that does not hide its history, but does not get stuck in it either.

Our place in this story

Uliveto di Mede grew out of the wish to breathe new life into some of these neglected olive groves. Today we work with 38 centuries-old trees that had been left untended for years. Restoring them was not a quick process — trees that have missed generations of pruning need time to find their balance again.

But these are the trees that make our oil. Their olives are harvested in November, cold-pressed within 6 hours and bottled a few kilometres from where they grow. When you open a bottle of Uliveto di Mede, you are not just tasting olive oil. You are tasting Sicarico — its soil, its history, its resilience.

Visiting Sicarico

Sicarico lies about 5 kilometres from Monopoli, a charming harbour town on the Adriatic coast. From Bari (airport) it is roughly a 50-minute drive. The region is beautiful in every season — though we recommend the harvest months (October and November) or spring if you want to see the olive groves in action.

We are happy to welcome visitors to our grove. Get in touch if you would like to plan a visit. And read more about our house in Sicarico — the place where the story truly comes home.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Sicarico?

Sicarico is in the province of Bari, in Puglia (southern Italy), about 5 km from the harbour town of Monopoli and 50 km from the city of Bari. It is a hamlet in the hills that rise inland from the Adriatic coast.

How many olive trees do you look after in Sicarico?

At the moment we work with 38 centuries-old olive trees. We are expanding gradually, as and when we have the capacity to give each tree the care it deserves.

Which olive varieties grow in your grove?

Mainly Coratina — the cultivar typical of Puglia, known for its high polyphenol content and peppery finish. Our Essenziale is 100% Coratina.

Can I visit your olive grove?

Yes. We are happy to welcome visitors, especially during the harvest in November. Get in touch via the contact page to arrange a visit.

Is your olive oil certified organic?

We work according to organic principles — no pesticides, no artificial fertilisers, no synthetic treatments — but we do not currently hold official organic certification. Certification is a multi-year administrative process that we are evaluating.