Frank's great grandfather's olive tree sapling, planted almost a century ago, embodies the heritage of Figone Olive Oil Co. and stands testament to how the roots of a grandfather's vision nourished the fruit of his great grandson's dream.

In 1928 Egildo Francheschi purchased 65 acres in the San Joaquin Valley and began farming asparagus. He planted an olive tree sapling and from that tree began curing the fruit every year for his family.

The land where Egildo's tree stood eventually became the property of Egildo's granddaughter, Liana Giovannini Figone. In 1974 Liana's husband, Aldo, and their three sons, Peter, Joseph and 9-year-old Frank planted a new grove of Mission and Manzanillo olive trees to honor Egildo's memory. Olives not cured for the family were sold to stores and canneries until 1991. It was in 1991 that Frank caught sight of his first H-press, and he was smitten. He purchased his own H-press and began making olive oil in his great grandfather's asparagus packing shed.