the profits from Ugolino Oil are dedicated to local charity. 

At one time, we just restocked our cantina and gave bottles to friends and family to enjoy. But in August of 2016 a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Central Italy. Historic villages we had visited countless times were turned to rubble. Families lost everything. Our daughters, Gabriella and Giulia, were so upset by seeing the devastation and were frustrated by being back in Austin, too far away to help. They came up with the idea of selling our oil, the fruit of that region, to raise money to support our neighbors in recovery efforts.  

And so it began.

Giving back to the community continues to be the source of our motivation to keep picking! Since 2016 we have directed our profits towards organizations dedicated to strengthening community. Today we continue that mission through our relationship with Civitella Ranieri Foundation an artists in residency program just a few miles from us in Umbria where artists are offered the time and space to think and work and build connection with other creative thinkers of diverse backgrounds and orientations.

From May to October Civitella Ranieri brings together cohorts of 12-15 visual artists, composers and writers from all over the globe for a six week residency at Castello Ranieri. Fellowships are awarded after a selective nomination and jury process and all major expenses, including travel, room & board, and studio or work space are provided for the stay at Civitella Ranieri. There the “fellows” can concentrate uninterrupted, reboot and exchange ideas with other international artists. New works get started, others get fine tuned or ideas simply percolate in the shade of the Umbrian oaks that surround the castle walls.

Given what often seems like a climate of division and intolerance, Civitella’s vision to create an environment where “its community can deepen connections to one another and to the world around them” feels especially powerful and relevant and one well worth supporting.

We invite you to look beyond your oil purchase and give directly.