Twenty years of tradition, quality, and passion: Celebrating the anniversary of producing premium extra virgin olive oil Oio Vivo.

Twenty years ago, with a vision and passion for preserving tradition and producing top-quality olive oil, our story began. It was initiated by three friends: Martin Milas, Velimir Jurić, and Mladen Kocijančić. In the south of beautiful Istria, where the sun shines over olive groves and touches the blue of the sea, our company, Oleum Maris, under their leadership, embarked on a journey that would become synonymous with quality and excellence in the extra virgin olive oil brand Oio Vivo. Over two decades, Oio Vivo has grown into one of the most recognizable and sought-after olive oil brands on the Croatian and global markets. It has become a leader in the production of high-quality olive oil, with 15,000 olive trees, and the owner of the largest olive grove in the southern part of Istria.

The Beginning – From a Dream to the First Olive Trees

From the very start, the company was focused on quality, sustainability, and respecting tradition. It all began with land preparation. We worked tirelessly to create fertile soil for planting the first olive trees. Although the challenges were considerable, the desire to create a unique product kept us going. The land preparation was carried out in three stages. In the first phase, we cleared the land, which was an area of scrub and maquis. Then came the second phase, which involved deep soil grinding to a depth of 90 cm to give the olive roots space to spread. The third phase was fine soil grinding to prepare it for planting the olive trees. The first olive saplings were carefully selected and planted according to the areas of our plot that would be most suitable for each variety of olives, based on microclimatic conditions. Each tree was planted with the idea that it would grow in harmony with nature and the best agricultural practices. The first harvest was a moment when all the efforts invested in the land and olives finally bore fruit. Although it was modest compared to today’s quantities, this harvest laid the foundation for the success we have today. Just like back then, every drop of our extra virgin olive oil is, and always has been, the result of careful olive handling and attention to quality.

New Owner

In 2018, our company Oleum Maris was taken over by the Zagreb-based entrepreneur Vlado Ćorluka. Together with his family, he built a luxury gourmet shop that has become a true paradise for connoisseurs of high-quality products. The design of the shop was created by renowned architect Bruno Juričić. Visitors can enjoy olive oil tastings, learn about the history of olive growing in Istria, and explore its gastronomy. We also began investing in state-of-the-art machinery for olive grove maintenance and harvesting.

Today – A Symbol of Quality and Success

Today, after twenty years of dedicated work, we can proudly say that we have grown into one of the best olive oil producers in the world. Our Oio Vivo olive oil is recognized and valued for its exceptional quality. Thanks to continuous investment in modern technology and sustainable farming, we have managed to maintain authenticity and remain producers of top-quality liquid gold for many years.

Our Premium Olive Oils

One of the special features of the Oio Vivo brand is the carefully selected olive varieties that reflect the unique characteristics of the Istrian region. Among them, the Žižolera variety stands out, a rare variety specific to the Vodnjan area, which we managed to revive. We have 700 trees of this variety in our grove, which sets us apart from the competition. In addition to Žižolera, our Vodnjan Buža deserves special attention. This native variety has become recognizable on the global stage. It was named one of the ten healthiest oils in the world, a confirmation of the quality and dedication we put into the production process. This oil contains a high percentage of polyphenols, which are key to its extraordinary nutritional value and health benefits.

A Glimpse into the Future

As we proudly celebrate 20 years of existence, we are already looking towards the future. We will continue producing premium extra virgin olive oil to provide you, our customers, with only the best.

This anniversary is not just an opportunity for celebration, but also for gratitude to everyone who has in any way contributed to the creation of this exceptionally successful Croatian company, Oleum Maris. Thank you to all our employees, partners, friends, and loyal fans of Oio Vivo olive oil. With your support, Oleum Maris continues to grow, innovate, and produce oil that tells a story of excellence.

We look forward to every coming year and every next liter of our Oio Vivo olive oil.

Thank you for being a part of our story!