Vulture

Vulture is a protected designation of origin covering extra virgin olive oil produced within nine named municipalities on the eastern and south-eastern slopes of Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano in Basilicata, Italy. The 'Ogliarola del Vulture' cultivar must constitute at least 60 % of the fruit pressed, with up to ten permitted varieties making up the remainder. The oil must meet defined physico-chemical and organoleptic thresholds at the time of packaging.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-IT-0452, with EU protection dating from 9 March 2005, Vulture extra virgin olive oil is produced exclusively within the administrative borders of Melfi, Rapolla, Barile, Rionero in Vulture, Atella, Ripacandida, Maschito, Ginestra and Venosa. The olive groves lie on the eastern and south-eastern slopes of Mount Vulture at altitudes of between 400 and 700 metres above sea level. The 'Ogliarola del Vulture' cultivar, a native variety confined to this geographical area, must account for at least 60 % of the fruit used. The remaining share, not exceeding 40 %, may consist of 'Coratina', 'Cima di Melfi', 'Palmarola', 'Provenzale', 'Leccino', 'Frantoio', 'Cannellino', 'Rotondella', 'Nocellara' and 'Laudolia', either singly or in combination. At the time of packaging, the oil must not exceed an acidity of 0,38 % expressed as oleic acid, a peroxide value of 10 mEq O2/kg, and a K232 of 2,0, while total polyphenols must reach at least 150. Colour is specified as amber-yellow with green tints. All production and processing of olives and storage of the oil must take place within the defined area. The oil must be marketed in glass containers or cans with a maximum capacity of 5 litres, or in single-dose sachets. Labels must carry the year of production and the production batch. The applicant group is the Consorzio di tutela della denominazione di origine protetta per l'olio extra vergine di oliva Vulture, based in Rapolla.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 9 March 2005 under file number PDO-IT-0452, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013782.
• The 'Ogliarola del Vulture' cultivar must account for at least 60 % of the fruit pressed; no other single variety or combination may exceed 40 %.
• The production area is confined to nine named municipalities on the slopes of Mount Vulture, situated at altitudes between 400 and 700 metres above sea level.
• Total polyphenols must be at least 150 and acidity must not exceed 0,38 % at the time of packaging.

Tasting notes

Lucanian EVOO from Vulture mountain (extinct volcano area, also famous for Aglianico wine). Predominantly Ogliarola del Vulture cultivar. Medium fruity intensity, balanced harmonious flavor, characteristic notes of artichoke, fresh almond, light volcanic minerality.

HoReCa use

Lucanian cuisine — pasta with peperoni cruschi, lentils, drizzled on rustic preparations; pairs with Aglianico del Vulture-themed menus.

Packaging

• glass-bottle-500ml
• glass-bottle-750ml
• tin-3L
• tin-5L

Seasonality