Bertolli Pasta Sauce and Olive Oil

Founded in Lucca, Tuscany, in 1865, Bertolli began as a small grocery store selling regional Italian products like olive oil and wine. For over 150 years, it has served as a global ambassador for Mediterranean cuisine. However, unlike many traditional family brands, the ownership of Bertolli is currently split between different multinational corporations depending on the product category.

The olive oil business is headquartered in Spain and remains a leader in the global lipid market. The pasta sauce and frozen meal divisions were sold off to major consumer goods companies to focus on specific market segments. Manufacturing typically occurs in the regions most efficient for the category, such as processing oils in Spain or Italy and producing sauces in North America for the local market. This decentralized ownership structure allows the iconic Italian branding to thrive across diverse grocery aisles worldwide.