Chamango: extra virgin olive oils from native Istrian cultivars

In groves south of Bale, Marija and Slaviša Srdić grow Buža, Istrian bjelica and rosinjola. Their very first oils received three gold medals.

First oils and three gold medals

In 2023, they introduced a multi-varietal extra virgin olive oil and a single-varietal Buža under the Chamango name. Judges awarded both oils gold that year in Vodice: the multi-varietal oil scored 94.05 points and placed 21st, while the Buža scored 92.15 points.

The multi-varietal oil was milled at Grubić in Bale, and the Buža at San Antonio. Judges at the 10th Zagreb Olive Festival awarded a Chamango oil another gold medal in 2025.

Groves south of Bale

The groves towards Vodnjan contain 400 young Buža, Istrian bjelica and rosinjola trees. These three native Istrian cultivars are the basis of the single-varietal oils and blends.

Single-varietal oils and balanced blends

They want each single-varietal extra virgin olive oil to highlight the character of its cultivar. For the blends, they choose proportions that balance fruitiness, bitterness and pungency.