Olives have always been at the heart of our family, marking our very past, present and future.
Transformed into the golden drops of Istrian oil, they lend us the flavours of traditional cuisine, challenging white soil and intact nature.
These precious fruits bear witness to centuries of human activity. They have successfully resisted both nature’s cycles and climate changes to become an invaluable part of the family that will offer you nothing but the best of its fruitful experience of living on Istria’s fertile yet challenging land.
Our extra virgin olive oils will win you over at first taste!
About Us
In search of the superb tastes of Istria’s gastronomy, our family has been creating products primarily to please the gourmand palate of its own members. And it is precisely their labour, knowledge and experience that have been yielding the uncompromising quality on an everyday basis.
“It’s the know-how passed on from our ancestors, kept alive through hard work and immense passion, and accompanied by the latest developments in this field.” – Goran Gardoš
The quality of our produce rests upon decades of practical experience gained through growing and picking tonnes of vegetables. Owing to a twist of fate, and evidently for a good reason, vegetables have conceded the spotlight to the Istrian olive – the queen of our family business that has received nothing but praise all over the globe.
This does not mean that we have given up on vegetables.
On the contrary, they have come into play in a slightly different role, and we can now offer you the unique flavours of Istria with our personal touch.
Check out our entire offer complementing the superb olive oils!
Olive oil
The Gardoš family’s olive groves, with more than a thousand trees, flourish on Istria’s fertile, mineral-rich white soil in the villages of Lozari and Bijele zemlje.
The quality of our oils comes from a minimum level of crop cultivation. If nested on a good soil blessed with a favourable climate, olive trees are grown organically, without intervening too much into their lifecycle.
We prefer to let the microflora and fauna work their magic. Olives are picked when ripe, provided they are healthy, with no more than six to twelve hours passing from the harvest to the processing. Oil is extracted from them on the same day.
Our family’s olive oils have received numerous local and international awards, but it is our buyers’ feedback that we value the most.
A lot of them come back for more “to enjoy from one year to another the unparalleled quality and aroma of Istrian olive oil that carries the scent of the soil and air that have breathed life into it”.
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Price range: €7.00 through €16.00 Buy now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Extra virgin olive oil - BLEND
A blend of the Busa, Istrian bjelica, Carbonaca, Frantoio, Leccino and Pendolino varieties to the taste of the Gardoš family.
This medium fruity oil, with an olive fruit scent, is moderately bitter and piquant, harmonious and well-balanced. Its rounded aroma perfectly reflects the centennial olive trees planted by all of our family generations and turned into an extra virgin elixir. Since we use it in a variety of dishes on a daily basis, we have dubbed it our ‘home oil’. The combining options are countless, so be sure to give it a go!
- Creamy vegetable soup
- Pasta with šalša (tomato sauce)
- Grilled whitefish
- Bruschetta
0.25 l, 0.50 l, 1 l,3 l,5 l or 0.25 l – 5 l
*When ordering please choose the product volume and quantity.
Extra virgin olive oil - ISTRIAN BJELICA
It is called the ‘Queen of oils’ for its intense bitterness and piquancy that lingers on. This oil features a most distinctive zing and pungency.
Bjelica or Bianchera is a variety typical of northwestern Istria. It is exceptionally resistant to low temperatures and the bora wind, courageously defying the harsh white soil. It boasts the highest content of polyphenols compared to all other varieties, and a medium intense scent of greenery, irresistibly reminiscent of freshly mown grass. Bjelica pairs perfectly with aged cheeses, grilled beef, boškarin ox, seasonal salads, and surprisingly enough – chocolate ice-cream!
- Codfish ‘in bianco’
- Venison with fuži pasta or gnocchi
- Istrian sausage and cured pork loin
- Thick maneštra bean soup or jota sauerkraut soup
- Chocolate ice-cream
0.25 l, 0.50 l or 0.25 l – 0.50 l
*When ordering please choose the product volume and quantity.
Extra virgin olive oil - BUSA
We call it ‘the Princess’ for its addictive scent and a harmony of flavours that is felt at the very first taste. The quality and scent of this oil are just unbelievable!
Busa is a highly esteemed Istrian variety of medium intensity, and mild to medium bitterness. It is exceptionally resistant to diseases and low temperatures, as proven way back in the cold winters of 1927 and 1928. Smelling irresistibly of the olive fruit, this traditional variety does not render much oil, which is precisely why every single drop is so precious. Busa pairs perfectly well with Istrian cold cuts, mushrooms and all types of seafood.
- Prosciutto and cottage cheese
- Porcini carpaccio
- Seafood risotto
- Tuna steak
0.25 l, 0.50 l or 0.25 l – 0.50 l
* When ordering please choose the product volume and quantity.
GREEN OLIVES IN BRINE - Busa / Bjelica
Juicy and rich in flavour, they are a true star of any cold cut platter.
- Olives: 60%
- Water: 25%
- Salt: 10%
- Olive oil: 3%
- Alcoholic vinegar: 2%
300 g
Beneficial properties of olive oil
Olive oil is a basic component of the Mediterranean diet, which is considered as having the healthiest and most perfectly balanced ratio of beneficial ingredients. It can improve our longevity as it prevents inflammatory processes and cardiovascular diseases.
Being the world’s northernmost olive-growing region, Istria has been following this positive trend. Owing to its Mediterranean climate and specific soil composition, it boasts optimum prerequisites for producing top-quality oil.
The powerful antioxidants called polyphenols can be formed in harsh growth conditions only, typical of this region, with the Istrian extra virgin olive oil having a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids compared to that produced in the regions further south.
Regular consumption of high-quality olive oil is beneficial for our entire digestive system.
This is because olive oil is among the most easily absorbed oils.
It balances our digestion, and since a quality diet and gut health are key to a strong immune system, its beneficial properties boost the health of our cardiovascular system and bone tissue.
Spice infused olive oil
We have always loved to cook for our family and friends, and since we grow our own vegetables, we have decided to produce spice infused olive oil with hot peppers, which are simply flourishing in our gardens.
When sun dried, they smell beautifully and lend a perfect zingy note to our olive oil and thus to each meal, resulting in an explosion of aromas that will mesmerise all gourmands.
We also produce a milder herb and spice infused olive oil, which reminds us of Sunday mornings and the heart-warming smell of vegetables, spices and oils coming from our grandma’s kitchen.
She would use this combination as the base for various mouth-watering roasts.
We hope this will inspire you to experiment with our oil in your kitchen, too!
SPICE INFUSED OIL based on olive oil and hot peppers
The flavour and smell of this intensely red oil bring together the best of Croatia’s Mediterranean and inland cuisine.
It is produced by macerating home-grown hot peppers and combining them with our extra virgin olive oil. It is the perfect choice for those preferring spicy food. The oil is added right before the meal is finished or when already plated. We just love it in stews.
Ingredients:98%extravirgin olive oil, 2% dehydrated peppers
- Scampi pasta
- Goulash
- Bean stew
- Hummus
- Thick soups
- Pizza
0.10 l, 0.25 l
* When ordering please choose the product volume and quantity.
SPICE AND HERB INFUSED OIL based on olive oil, garlic and rosemary
This oil boasts spices and herbs used in everyday Istrian cuisine and passed on to us by our grannies.
Our entire family has grown fond of blending rosemary and garlic from our very own fields, which is why we have decided to offer an oil combining these ingredients to our customers. The taste of bruschetta sprinkled with it is just unbelievable!
Ingredients: 98% extra virgin olive oil, 1% garlic, 1%rosemary
- Cheese bruschetta
- Pizza
- Fish marinade
White meat marinade
0.10 l, 0.25 l
* When ordering please choose the product volume and quantity.
TOMATO PRODUCTS
Our family has always loved šalša (tomato sauce). We used to grow and process tomatoes for sale, but now we use these sumptuous fruits to make delicious sauces and juices we have enjoyed ever since we were kids.
All our vegetables are organically grown in our garden stretching over 3,000 m2, and tomatoes grown from our own seeds make the majority of our yield. Each fruit is handpicked and checked for ripeness, and only the best ones are further processed.
ŠALŠA LIGHT Tomato sauce
Owing to the exquisite Mediterranean taste obtained from the ripest, top-quality fruits, this sauce will turn any meal into a delicious homemade speciality.
We are talking about the ‘real’ šalša our granny used to make, adding just a pinch of salt and sugar to the very best of tomatoes picked from the white soil fields. The end product made according to the traditional recipe boasts a silky texture, with no chunks. A great šalša makes a great meal! Just put some finely chopped onions on heated olive oil, sauté for a while, add Šalša Light and you’ll have an amazing pasta sauce in no time. It also makes a great base for meat sauces, buzara stews and pizza.
Ingredients: 98% tomatoes, 1% salt, 1% sugar
280 g
TOMATO JUICE
It is made from puréed fresh tomatoes, and its dense texture makes it perfect for both drinking and cooking. We recommend it for tomato soups and as an addition to sauces.
Ingredients: 98% tomatoes, 1% salt, 1% sugar
400 ml
TASTING
Nevija and her family will welcome you to their farm and offer you a variety of oils and other homemade products and snacks that pair perfectly with them.
You will also get to enjoy a walk through the olive groves on the picturesque slopes overlooking the nearby Istrian hills and offering unforgettable sunsets.
Tasting of all oils – Tasting menu EUR 15.00 per person
Tastings require prior notice.
Feel free to contact us!
Kostelac 76, 52460 Buje
+385 91 252 5117
How to reach us?