Welcome to our tasting room
Thank you for supporting our family-owned farm. The information below guides you through tasting our oils and understanding the world of EVOO.
How to taste olive oil like a pro
1. Pour oil into a cup
2. Heat the oil
3. Sniff
4. Take a small sip
5. Taste the tingle
Why is it spicy?
That spice — the peppery kick at the back of your throat — is oleocanthal, a natural antioxidant with properties similar to ibuprofen. It works alongside polyphenols to give high-quality extra virgin olive oil its signature bite. Both are markers of a fresh, well-made oil.
EXAU olive oils contain over 1,540 mg/kg of polyphenols, which is 6x the EU threshold required to make an antioxidant health claim.
What makes olive oil *extra virgin*?
Why calabria?
Calabria is the 2nd largest olive oil producing region in Italy, and the most biodiverse place in Europe for the olive fruit. Italy leads the world in olive variety diversity, and Calabria is its epicenter — with coastline, hills, valleys, and mountains all creating a layered terroir unlike anywhere else.
The ancient Greeks recognized this, naming the region Magna Graecia, or Great Greece, and planting olive groves that still bear fruit today.
flavor profiles
the Turi
Named after Giuseppe's father.
Cultivar(s): Ottobratica
Antioxidants: 1,540mg/kg
NOSE: Opens with oregano. Followed by a hint of cherry. Notes of persistent green banana and spicy green pepper.
MOUTH: Opens with fresh lettuce. Followed by green banana.
FINISH: Persistent radish.
PAIRING: White meat, raw and cooked vegetables, and grilled white fish.
The lina
Named after Giuseppe's mother.
Cultivar(s): Tonda & Carolea
Antioxidants: 1,485mg/kg
NOSE: Opens with scents of walnut husk. Followed by red apple.
MOUTH: Opens with red apple, followed by strong notes of wild chicory.
FINISH: Persistent chicory and spicy pepper.
PAIRING: Braised meat, grilled meat, grilled vegetables, and red meat.
*EXAU Olive Oils do NOT contain nuts nor come into contact with nuts. When we refer to ‘almond’ or ‘walnut,’ it’s in reference to the aromas and flavor profile of the oil.
we are your olive oil insiders because...
we are olive farmers
Our groves have been farmed on the Ionian coast of Calabria since 1927. We use 100% organic inputs, farm regeneratively, and work with agronomists to restore soil health for the next generation.
olive oil producers
Giuseppe is a 3rd generation olive oil producer from Calabria — his grandfather planted the first trees in 1927. He and Skyler took over in 2017, restoring the land and launching EXAU in 2018.
olive oil sommeliers
We are both certified Level II olive oil sommeliers trained in Italy. That training shapes everything — from how we harvest, to how we evaluate each batch, to what ends up in your bottle.
published authors
In 2023, we published The Olive Oil Enthusiast with Penguin Random House — the first book about olive oil from a major publisher in over a decade. It's the book we wished existed.
Join the olive oil club
Members get: 10% off every order, full access to our paid Substack, and early access to each harvest.
Oil ships to your door every quarter. No commitment required.
Shop by the bottle
Choose between our different oils and sets. Or get a copy of our book, The Olive Oil Enthusiast.