“06880” readers know Bruce Fernie as an occasional commenter. His is often the first one on any story.
That’s not because he gets up before dawn. It’s because he and his wife, Katherine Walsh, live in Firenze, Italy.
Bruce Fernie and his daughter Avery, in Italy.
Graduates of Staples High School’s Class of 1970 remember Bruce as a classmate. (He says, though, his classes took place mostly in the Long Lots Junior High School vice principal’s office, and the Staples parking lot).
Bruce retains his ties to town. He spends summer at his family home on Martha’s Vineyard, and visits Westport when he can.
Bostonians know Bruce because of Tealuxe. He and Katherine created those Starbucks-like tea houses in 1996, then expanded to Rhode Island and New York. They sold much of the company in 2002.
Soon, Westporters — and many others — will know Bruce as an olive oil king.
Gabbiano Uno (Gabbiano1) is the Fernies’ “personal adventure.”
It began in 2017, when the couple bought a new home to renovate in Chianti, about 20 kilometers south of Florence.
The property included an orchard of 400 mature — but poorly maintained — olive trees.
Surrounding them are thousands of trees and vines owned by the Antinori vineyards.
Bruce and Katherine did not know that the small valley has an interesting micro-climate, and is well known for producing some of Tuscany’s best Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
They decided to resurrect the orchard, and try to produce the best EVOO they could.
Bruce Fernie’s Chianti property.
Bruce and Katherine spent the first year having the trees pruned properly. They used only organic fertilizer, and hired local crews to mow, maintain and harvest the fruit.
Their first harvest was in 2018. They won a silver award at the NYIOOC — the “largest and most prestigious olive oil quality contest” in the world.
Gabbiano Uno’s 2023 harvest was “a guessing game,” Bruce says. The crop endured hail, drought and extreme heat.
But, he says, “G1 Raccolta 2023 is better than ever.”
Picking early limited their quantity. But they increased both the quality and “peppery spiciness” of the olive oil.
To their surprise, they fared much better than many Italian producers who had no crop at all — the cause of last year’s highly publicized olive oil shortage.
Gabbiano Uno 2023-2024 “olio nuovo” is now pressed, bottled, and ready to ship.
The Fernies sell it at Morning Glory Farm on Martha’s Vineyard.
They would love a Westport retailer. A sample will be sent on demand. (Full disclosure: I’ve tried it. I’m no NYIOOC judge, but it sure tasted good to me.)
Bruce welcomes emails: bjf@gabbiano1.com. Click here for the Gabbiano Uno website. (Hat tip: Sarah Gross)
(“06880” often reports on the intriguing achievements of Staples High School graduates, of all ages. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Thanks Dan for the great write-up.
A few simple corrections: The pic is not of me and my wife but my daughter Avery who is now a sophomore at Berklee in Boston. G1 isn’t sold at Bettlebung on the island but at Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown and I sold most of Tealuxe in 2002 when I moved to Italy.
Thanks again and real olive oil is something to experience!
Congratulations on this latest venture, Bruce. I know I don’t have to tell you this but in business as in life timing is everything. Based on a lot of the “New Westport” banter that Dan covers in his blog, there likely will be some choice retail locations opening up in town and you’re in the right place at the right time. The current retailers don’t seem to be too excited with the strategic trajectory that the town is following. In any case, my wife is going to switch to your olive oil and I will think of you with each and every satisfying burp.
Thanks, Bruce, and apologies. I’ll fix the info now.
And we live in Firenze not Naples…
Bruce, Like me, I bet you saw Mr. Koehler a lot in the Long Lots Vice Principal’s office. By the way, if your town is Florence (Firenze) I’ve been there. I have an interesting story about Florence, but I won’t bore everyone.
That’s what I thought. Congrats on your new venture.
What about a collaboration of some kind with Wakeman Town Farm? Savvy & Grace? Gold’s Deli?
The oil is extraordinary. it’s my third year. I use it on everything. I just made tuna packed in Water and poured it all over adding a ton of polyphenols and other compounds known to extend life and vibrancy. I didn’t know what real e io olive oil tasted like until Bruce’s! It’s heaven.
evoo
What a wonderful story. And I love the cheeky reference to spending more time in the LL vice principals office and the Staples high school parking lot. 😉 😉
Donna, Those of us who spent a lot of time in Mr. Koehler’s office (as well as Mr. Ready’s office in Greens Farms School) know what the true meaning of fear is. Those two places were not where students wanted to end up.
How about hooking them up with the Romanacci crew.