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| The Ravida family is an old patrician family whose roots date back to the 13th century. Until the mid 1700s they were based in the western Sicilian town of Trapani and held high positions in the governments of the Kingdom of Sicily. The family acquired the estate of "La Gurra"
by marriage, in mid-1700 and built in Menfi a summer residence,
a very fine example of Sicilian neo-classical architecture. At that
time, "La Gurra" was much larger than today and produced
mainly cork, wine and olive oil. The olive oil was already known
for its excellent quality. |
In 1975, Nicolo Ravidà, an Engineer, took over
from his father Luigi. Up until lately he has run the farm travelling
back and forth from Rome where he was Managing Director in the Board of
Directors of a large construction company. "Farming has always been
my passion, it is in my blood", he says recounting that, before enrolling
at University, he tossed a coin to decide whether to choose between tradition
or the future: the Faculty of Agriculture or Engineering.
Under his guidance, "La Gurra" has been completely transformed and modernised. With the help of some of Italy's foremost experts in the field and the CNR (National Centre for Research) in Perugia, he has introduced new methods of farming, as well as new varieties of plants and crops.
In 1991 his daughter Natalia, then a London-based press and TV journalist, convinced him to start bottling extra virgin olive oil and has since been promoting the olive oil abroad. RAVIDA Extra Virgin Olive Oil was first presented that year at the International Food Exhibition in London and received a lot of praise.
Ravida Azienda Agricola Srl was incorporated by Nicolo Ravida and his three daughters Natalia, Patrizia and Nicoletta in 1993. One of the main scopes of the Company was the production and marketing of RAVIDA Extra Virgin Olive Oil, RAVIDA Sea Salt and other products bearing the RAVIDA brand. As Managing Director, Nicolo Ravida is in charge of the management of the Estate and the production of the olive oil as well as of the wine whilst Natalia, as President, is responsible for Marketing and Public Relations. Patrizia lives in Milan where she works in Financial Banking and Nicoletta, an International Law Lawyer, lives in Rome; both sisters actively cooperate in the business during their spare time.
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