Bottling Messinian Heritage
Greka Icons, Greece In Messinia, olive groves tumble towards the Ionian Sea and fig trees cling to stone terraces. Greka Icons was created in 2012 to capture these landscapes in…
Agricola Paglione, Italy
Founded in 1994, Agricola Paglione is a certified organic farm and artisanal producer. Its fields are a mosaic of tomatoes, olives, wheat and vines interplanted with fig, quince and pomegranate trees. The soil is enriched by green manure and natural grassing, pollinators are protected by a ban on neonicotinoids, and every crop is processed within 24 hours of harvest. Regenerative agriculture isn’t a buzzword here; it’s a daily practice rooted in regional heritage.
The passata Rustica is coarse and pulpy, ideal for ragùs; Contadina retains skins and seeds for a rustic texture; Prunill captures the sweetness of cherry tomatoes; and rare yellow tomato purées and whole pelati offer a delicate, low‑acid alternative. There are peeled Roma and Pugliese cherry tomatoes in sizes ranging from 300 g to 1.6 kg, semi‑dried red and yellow tomatoes for antipasti, and ready‑to‑use sauces—Marinara, spicy tomato, and those enriched with olives and capers—for quick weeknight meals. All are organic, additive‑free and packed in glass jars designed for both kitchen convenience and gifting.
A vibrant Nasuta and a balanced Classico, both organic and cold‑extracted. The farm also produces natural wines such as Perazzelle, Caporale and Componimento, which ferment with native yeasts and showcase local varieties. Table olives—from gigante green to pitted Leccino—are brined gently for maximum flavour, while sauces like Sugo Piccante and Sugo alle Olive, preserved vegetables like zucchine alla Pugliese and melanzane alla Contadina, and specialty items like sun‑dried tomatoes and olive paste round out a pantry that tastes of Puglia.
We partner with Paglione because their jars and bottles contain more than food; they hold a story of soil regeneration, biodiversity and respect for tradition. When you simmer their passata or drizzle their olive oil, you’re connecting to a farm that sees flavour and stewardship as two sides of the same coin. It’s a relationship that brings a sun‑drenched corner of Italy into kitchens far beyond Lucera.
At Carnivale, we believe that the best food has an identity, dignity, and depth. It is a sentiment that Agricola Paglione embodies completely, understood through exploring their story. We are not here to shout about it. Our role is simply to listen, to translate, and to share. Together, we offer something timeless: flavor with a provenance, made by people who still believe in the enduring power of patience and of principle. Because in the end, it is not just about what you make, but why you make it.
