Our Family & Connection to the Land

The olive tree, with its silvery leaves whispering tales of ancient winds, stands as a timeless emblem woven into the fabric of human history. Across cultures and epochs, it has been a symbol of peace, wisdom, fertility, and resilience. In Ancient Greece, the olive tree was sacred to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Legend tells that when Poseidon and Athena vied for the patronage of Athens, Poseidon struck the earth with his trident, bringing forth a saltwater spring. Athena, in turn, planted the first olive tree, gifting the city a source of food, oil, and wood. The Athenians deemed her gift superior, and the olive tree became a symbol of wisdom and prosperity. Victors in the Olympic Games were crowned with olive wreaths, intertwining the tree with ideals of honour and glory. 

Across the Mediterranean, the olive embodies endurance and fertility. Its ability to thrive in harsh conditions and live for millennia makes it a testament to perseverance and continuity.  In the Dalmatian Coast, where mountains kiss the sky and the sea whispers ancient secrets, the olive tree holds a cherished place. Olives are more than sustenance; they are a link to ancestral roots and traditions. The gnarled trunks of ancient olive trees, twisted by time yet steadfast, symbolise the resilience and enduring spirit of our people. Olives and olive oil feature prominently in local customs, cuisine, and rituals, representing hospitality, health, and the nurturing of family bonds. 

Our family deeply values the timelessness of our work, firmly grounded in who we are and where we come from. We are proud of our roots, entwined with the ancient soils of the Dalmatian Riviera and the Treskvica, Velebit and Mala Ćaba Mountain Ranges. Just as the olive tree takes years—sometimes decades—to bear its first fruit, we dedicate ourselves not for immediate gain but for the prosperity of future generations. 

Many may not realise that cultivating an olive tree is a labor of love and patience, a commitment that extends beyond ourselves. We live in harmonious symbiosis with the land, the sea, and the bounty they provide. This connection enriches our lives and strengthens our bonds, much like the swirling trunk of the olive tree that symbolises our sacred and united family—eternal and resilient. Our unity is a testament to enduring values passed down through time, mirroring the steadfastness of trees that have witnessed centuries.

It is with this spirit that we wish to share our treasures with those who seek more than just an enhanced lifestyle. We invite kindred souls who believe in embracing resilience, and planting seeds—not only in fertile soil but also within their communities and families. Our work is a legacy, a gift to those who will follow in our footsteps. By embracing patience and foresight, we want to nurture a legacy that transcends time, enriching not just our lives but also those of generations yet to come.

Experience true luxury in every precious drop. Our olive oil is a rare blend of nature’s purity and our family’s commitment to wellness, crafted with love and available only in limited quantities each season. 

Grown organically and harvested with care, each bottle reflects the highest quality and exclusivity, making this not just an olive oil, but an indulgence in health and refinement.  With each sip, savour the richness of naturally sourced luxury, a rare product born from heritage, health, and the exclusive bounty of nature, crafted with care and limited by nature, just for you. 

Every bottle is numbered within a limited batch collection, including our exclusive First Harvest and Reserve editions. Our olive oil is not just a superfood—it’s a signature item with long lasting benefits on both soul and body. Where exclusivity meets the finest quality, luxury has now acquired a new taste.

Healiva blossoms from a profound desire to unite the rich Mediterranean flavors and scents with the medicinal benefits that flourish along the Adriatic coast. In the idyllic enclave of Zavala where the sea mist kisses untouched fertile soil, ancient wisdom passed down through generations converges to cultivate the highest quality olives. These conditions are unparalleled—not only within the Mediterranean but uniquely to Zavala itself. Nestled on gentle hillsides, our groves bask in a perfect balance of sunlight without excessive heat, while fresh sea breezes caress the trees, imparting vitality without overwhelming them with salinity.

The sea breeze carries mineral-rich mist inland, depositing trace nutrients like sodium, magnesium, and calcium into the soil, enhancing its fertility and nurturing healthier, more robust olive trees. This gentle wind reduces heat stress during the hot summer days, allowing our trees to focus their energy on fruit production rather than mere survival. By moderating southern Dalmatia coastal temperatures—bringing cooler air by day and warmer air by night—the breeze creates a stable microclimate in and of itself, alleviating extremes that might otherwise strain the trees. The natural protective effects of the sea breeze also diminish the need for pesticides, ensuring our olives remain 100% pure and free from chemical residues at every stage of the growth, harvesting and production processes.

Our trees, over a century old, have roots that delve deep into this cherished land, much like the Healiva family that lovingly tends them. Each tree is cared for individually, and during the harvest, we forego tools that might harm even a single leaf or branch: instead, we handpick each olive one by one, dedicating roughly 300 hours to this labor of love. This meticulous attention ensures that nowhere else do olive trees grow as healthy and as vibrant as Healiva's. The unique climate imparts a distinctive, robust and bold flavour profile and aromatic qualities to our olives, reflecting the very essence of the southern Dalmatian Riviera's terroir. This results not only in a superior taste and aroma but also in an exceptional richness of nutrients, boasting higher levels of polyphenols, oleuropein, and hydroxytyrosol: in other words, gold in a bottle.