Sapparis: single-varietal extra virgin olive oils from Umag

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Sapparis makes seven single-varietal oils from its own groves near Umag. Side by side, they differ clearly in bitterness, pungency and aroma.

From gentle Leccino to robust Bjelica

Four oils show the range between the varieties particularly well:

• Leccino smells of green olives, with mild bitterness and pungency.
• Istrian Bjelica is more forceful and complex, with artichoke, white apple and balsamic herbs.
• Rošinjola brings green peppercorn, green tomato and wild radicchio.
• Istarska Črna combines green lettuce, black pepper and cinnamon with an almond note on the finish.

The other three single-varietal oils are made from Frantoio, Moraiolo and Pendolino.

Three family olive groves

Sapparis works only with olives from family groves around Umag, at Seget, Vela Boška and Finida. Each site has its own mix of varieties: Frantoio grows at Vela Boška, Rošinjola at Finida, and Istrian Bjelica at all three sites.

The olives are processed within 24 hours of harvest at a temperature no higher than 27 °C. The oil is then kept in a climate-controlled room, in stainless-steel tanks under nitrogen, to limit oxidation.

Flos Olei: from 91 to 93 points

Filip Čeko Family Farm has appeared in Flos Olei every year since 2010. Its scores rose from 91 points for 2024 to 92 for 2025 and 93 for 2026. Flos Olei 2026 singled out Sapparis Črnica, a markedly bitter and pungent oil with aromas of artichoke, chicory, mint and rosemary.

At the 2026 NYIOOC, its single-varietal Vodnjanska crnica won Silver. A year earlier, Sapparis won Gold at the Japan Olive Oil Prize and Platinum at Berlin GOOA.

Tasting and buying in Finida

At the shop, the oils are tasted before they are bought. This puts the gentler Leccino beside the more forceful Bjelica, so the choice does not rest on a label and a short description. The oils are sold at the farm and online. Free parking is beside the shop.

Distance from Bale: 47 minutes driving (59.5 km)

Olive oil score in the Flos Olei guide: 2024 91, 2025 92, 2026 93

Address: Labinske republike 10, Finida, 52470 Umag, Istria, Croatia

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