My brother and I were just beginning our business endeavor when I first met Carmen Bonfante, EVO Sicily Producer, in Trieste, Italy and was immediately struck by her humble confidence. As she presented her exquisite bottle of olive oil, affectionately named "Embrace," it became clear that what lay within this elegant vessel was more than just oil; it was a heartfelt narrative waiting to be unveiled.

It was months later, at Le Caserie, a restaurant tucked away in a quiet cove in the historic part of Marsala, Sicily that I shared a meal with Carman, her business partner, and her son. As we passed around a bottle of Embrace, drizzling it over each Sicilian dish, our conversations and laughter flowed naturally despite the slight language barrier. That evening, surrounded -not by producers, but rather friends, and submerged in the essence of Sicily, I felt a profound sense of satisfaction. We had made the right choice investing in Carman, not just for the exceptional quality of her oil, but for the connection to a tradition that celebrates both family and friendship. We invite you to read more about Carmen and hope that and find her her story just inspiring as we have.