Our Story
FROM ITALIAN ROOTS
TO CORNISH INNOVATION
For ValleRuan Founder Nik Butcher, olive oil is more than a product - it’s a legacy.
You could say olive oil runs in my veins. For generations, my family farmed olives and pressed oils in the picturesque area near Vallerotonda, Italy. Though my ancestors left this behind when they emigrated to England in the 1930s, the dream of creating exceptional olive oil never left me. Settling in Cornwall five years ago, I felt the time and place were finally right to revive this family tradition.
Cornwall’s unique coastal climate offers the perfect environment for cultivating olives, and we’re thrilled to create premium olive oils that reflect the spirit of this region. With innovative plans for harvesting and expansion, ValleRuan is more than a business — it’s a way to enrich the local economy, nurture community connections, and celebrate the beauty of the Roseland Peninsula, the place I proudly call home.
Nik Butcher
You could say olive oil runs in my veins. For generations, my family farmed olives and pressed oils in the picturesque area near Vallerotonda, Italy. Though my ancestors left this behind when they emigrated to England in the 1930s, the dream of creating exceptional olive oil never left me. Settling in Cornwall five years ago, I felt the time and place were finally right to revive this family tradition.
Cornwall’s unique coastal climate offers the perfect environment for cultivating olives, and we’re thrilled to create premium olive oils that reflect the spirit of this region. With innovative plans for harvesting and expansion, ValleRuan is more than a business — it’s a way to enrich the local economy, nurture community connections, and celebrate the beauty of the Roseland Peninsula, the place I proudly call home.
Nik Butcher
For ValleRuan Founder Nik Butcher, olive oil is more than a product - it’s a legacy.
For ValleRuan Founder Nik Butcher, olive oil is more than a product - it’s a legacy.
You could say olive oil runs in my veins. For generations, my family farmed olives and pressed oils in the picturesque area near Vallerotonda, Italy. Though my ancestors left this behind when they emigrated to England in the 1930s, the dream of creating exceptional olive oil never left me. Settling in Cornwall five years ago, I felt the time and place were finally right to revive this family tradition.
Cornwall’s unique coastal climate offers the perfect environment for cultivating olives, and we’re thrilled to create premium olive oils that reflect the spirit of this region. With innovative plans for harvesting and expansion, ValleRuan is more than a business — it’s a way to enrich the local economy, nurture community connections, and celebrate the beauty of the Roseland Peninsula, the place I proudly call home.
Nik Butcher
Rewriting the Future of Olive Oil Production
Founded in early 2024, The ValleRuan Olive Oil Company Ltd is rewriting the future of olive oil production in the UK.
Our journey began with two proof-of-concept sites on the Roseland Peninsula. At The Old Chapel in Ruan High Lanes and Manor Farm in Bohortha, we’ve shown that olive trees don’t just survive Cornwall’s saltwater climate - they thrive.
Join us as we cultivate a new chapter in olive oil history - one rooted in tradition, innovation, and the inspiring landscapes of Cornwall.
Turning Untapped Land Into Opportunity
At ValleRuan, we believe in creating opportunities from things often overlooked. Many farms have pockets of land that aren’t grazed by livestock or used for arable crops. Our mission is to give this “redundant” land a new purpose - planting olive groves that benefit both the farmers and our vision for premium olive oil production.
By leasing this land (following soil tests to confirm its suitability), we offer local farmers an additional income stream while maximising the economic potential of their land. This approach keeps our costs sustainable and fosters a partnership that benefits the community.
This model has already proven successful at our two test sites, where a local farmer and landowner have joined forces with ValleRuan. The results speak for themselves: underutilised land is now thriving, offering them a steady income and giving us the perfect environment to grow our olives.
By engaging farmers in the process, we’re not just planting trees - we’re planting the seeds of collaboration, growth, and a brighter future for Cornwall.