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From Boardrooms to Olive Groves—A Journey of Curiosity and Purpose.

 

Hi, I’m Gary Upton. My life has been a series of seemingly unrelated chapters—engineering, start-ups, executive recruitment, and now, olive farming in Tuscany. But looking back, every twist was a thread leading me here: to a restored farmhouse, a thriving olive grove, and a life built on passion and purpose.  

 

The Engineer’s Mindset

My journey began in mechanical engineering, where I honed my love for problem-solving. For 18 years, I tackled manufacturing and application engineering together with Sales and Marketing in the controls and automation industries, bridging creativity and logic. Yet I craved more human connection—a desire to build not just systems, but relationships.  

 

 

Building Bridges: Executive Search 

After exiting Engineering I launched CNA Executive Search a franchised operation helping companies find visionary leaders whilst also utilising my most recent skills, I connected talent with opportunity, mastering the nuances of human potential. It taught me to listen deeply, ask bold questions, and recognize the alchemy of a great team—skills that would later prove invaluable in unexpected ways.

 

The Tuscan Calling

In 2003, I paused for a sabbatical in Italy. Tuscany’s rhythm—the hum of cicadas, the scent of wild herbs, and the patience of centuries-old olive trees—rewired me. Against all logic, I bought a crumbling *podere* (farmhouse) in Lucca, and traded PowerPoint decks for pruning shears.  

 

Restoring Roots

Renovating the farmhouse became my most ambitious project yet. With an engineer’s precision and an executive’s eye for talent, I collaborated with local stonemasons, carpenters, and farmers to revive the property. It wasn’t just restoration—it was resurrection. We preserved original beams, replanted neglected olive groves, and transformed the land into a sanctuary of sustainability.  

 

Olive Oil: Where Science Meets Soul

The olive groves became my classroom. I apprenticed with Tuscan farmers, learning the sacred dance of harvest timing, cold-pressing, and blending. Today, we craft small-batch organic extra virgin olive oil that’s a testament to both chemistry and intuition. Each bottle carries the terroir of this land—and the stubborn optimism of starting over.  

 

Why I’m Here

My past lives aren’t relics—they’re tools. Engineering taught me to innovate. Start-ups taught me to pivot. Executive search taught me to see potential in people and places others overlook. Now, I blend those skills here: mentoring local entrepreneurs, hosting agriturismo guests, and sharing our olive oil with the world.  

 

Rural life isn’t an escape—it’s a homecoming. Success here means watching bees pollinate our orchard, neighbours sharing harvest secrets, and the quiet pride of a well-tended grove. It’s a reminder that the best “ROI” isn’t always monetary; sometimes, it’s the scent of rosemary on the breeze.  

 

Join Me

Whether you’re here for our oil, a farm stay, or simply to wander the groves, welcome. Let’s share a meal on the terrace and toast to the beauty of unconventional paths.  

 

Gary Upton 

Founder/Owner, Tuscany Olive Farm  

 

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