A visit to the Mediterranean must include excellent Olive Oil. Today, my family and I set out to visit the gracious Sammy Cremona on his lovely estate “ Wardija Olive Oil.
Cultivation of Olives began in Malta during the 9 th century BC. It was introduced to the islands by the Phoenicians, but almost 1,000 years later, invading Arabs burned down most of the olive groves and replaced them with citrus trees.
On the Wardija Olive Oil Estate, Sammy has turned his life-long hobby into a passionate endeavor, bringing the indigenous Maltese Olive back! He is re-cultivating the Bidni Olive, a carbon-dated 1,800 year-old species, and the white olive called Perla Maltese that was made popular by the Knights of Malta. This white Olive was near extinction with only three remaining trees worldwide.
Sammy grows these Olive trees organically, free of any pesticides and harmful chemicals. Plastic bottles are hung from each tree filled with a fish paste emulsion to ward off insects. On the lower tree trunks he has a Dacron synthetic wool wrapping to prevent weevils. It gives me such peace of mind eating this olive oil knowing that it not only tastes delicious but it is also chemical free!
As we walk around the Olive Groves, his chocolate lab Cioccolino wags his tail and merrily leads our entourage along. Sammy patiently explains to us all about the Olive trees, how he waters and prunes and harvests the olives. We eventually come upon peacocks, chickens and his prized possession… a donkey named Rosie; she lovingly nudges up against him as soon as she sees him. Every animal on the farm serves a purpose for the ecological balance of the Olive trees. From their excrement to their hunger for pests, the animals are not only his pets but also his gardening crew!
At the end of our tour of this beautiful estate, we were invited to a tasting of the Olive Oil. Sammy breaks out some fresh Maltese Bread, Kunserva – a maltese tomato paste, anchovies, fresh herbs including basil, marjoram, wild fennel seeds and rosemary. He also sets out Olives preserved in a Brine, which consisted of a ratio of 1 to 10 sea-salt and water, bay leaves, myrtle leaves and the star of the day Wardija Olive Oil. Which he of course presses here on the estate. He opens up a bottle of “light” wine – Marsovin made with the griganti grapes. For me, this simple lunch is the best I could ever wish for.
I am always excited to meet people who are passionate about their work. Especially those that transform their hobby into their work! Sammy is one of these people. His love for Malta, the Olive trees, and the tradition of keeping our endemic Olives fruitful and abundant is clearly evident. His attention to detail is impeccable, even the box of the Wardija Olive Oil contains the two colors found in the Olive leaf.
I am taking 20 bottles of his olive oil back to the US, please contact me if you would like to try some! I can’t wait to share its magic with you all. A special thank you to my dear friend Suzanne Vassallo, who introduced me to Sammy Cremona and the Wardija Olive Oil.
Ciao Mardel
