Oil tour: producers and tastings

The olive tree is an ancient plant widely diffused throughout the Mediterranean basin for the past 6000 years. It was thanks to the Medici family that production was extensively undertaken in Tuscany. 

In fact, today Tuscany is famous for its rolling hills dotted with olive trees. The varieties of olive trees present throughout the local territory are all typically Tuscan: Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino and Pendolino. 

The olives are harvested by hand, or with the help of combs, between the end of October and the end of November. Once collected, in order to ensure the quality of the product, olives must be transported to the oil mill within hours. There they are washed and stripped of their leaves, crushed (frangitura) and kneaded (gramolatura). The extraction of the oil from the paste is carried out through a mechanical process at a controlled temperature. is through this series of operations that high-quality extra virgin olive oil is produced.

It is possible to taste and buy high quality olive oil from numerous local producers. 

On the provincial road via Roma, near Osteria Nuova, we find the organic farm Fattoria Ramerino. The farm counts around 4000 plants divided between Moraiolo, Frantoio, Leccino and americano varieties, predominantly grown in polyconic pots in the traditional layout. The company, since its birth in 2000, has been operating in accordance with organic farming principles, successfully completing its conversion and obtaining the BIO trademark in 2004. The oil produced, which has won awards in both national and international competitions, has received very high scores in guides such as Flos Olei, Slow Food, Gambero Rosso, L’Olio (Ais dell’olio), Merum and Der Feinschmecker, just to mention a few. The oil is bottled and marketed with two labels: “GUADAGNOLO PRIMUS” and “GUADAGNOLO DULCIS“.

Tours of the farm last about 1 hour/ 1 1/2 hours and include:

• walk among the olive trees with history of the farm
• tasting of 2 oils both sipped with a small glass and accompanied by Tuscan bread
• visit to the shop followed by a glass of wine from the Elba island

In case of rain, the walk is replaced by a third oil tasting.

Price per adult is 25 euros (free under 16) with no minimum number of guests.

 

Keeping on via Roma, just a few kilometrs after Osteria Nuova towards San Donato, we find the Azienda Agricola Borgo I Vicelli, which is immersed within a beautiful natural environment, and counts over 2500 olive trees. It produces and bottles organic extra virgin olive oil varieties such as moraiolo, frantoio and leccino by using the cold pressing technique.

• Visits and Tastings last 1 hour and 30 minutes and you will discover that oil is not just a “simple” ingredient; you will learn how to taste an oil and recognize its qualities and weaknesses, and you will acquire the knowledge to be able to choose a high quality product.

 

Heading up towards the Monastero di Montisoni, around 1 km after Antella, rests the Azienda Agricola Frantoio Il Colle. Among the things it produces (including wine and fruit) its organic extra olive oil certainly excels. Its oil, named “VERDE DEL COLLE” is the product of olives (moraiolo, frantoio and leccino), collected by hand at just the right point of ripeness and pressed the same day in the company press with the cold pressing technique. The oil is marked by a well-defined spiciness and a balanced bitterness. Through the intense aromas the green notes of the artichoke and cardoon come out as the strongest, later accompanied by hints of nuttiness.Tastings organized in spring and summer are held on a panoramic terrace that overlooks the Duomo of Florence.

• It is possible to book a visit and tasting for groups of people consisting of the tasting of the company’s organic extra virgin olive oil, accompanied by bruschetta with and without tomato, vegetable pinzimonio, boiled potatoes + water and wine produced by the company. Price 15 euros per person.
• The basic menu can be upgraded with pappa al pomodoro or ribollita at the price of 20 euros per person.

 

Not far away stands the Azienda Reto di Montisoni. The company produces a very high quality product in the range of 30 tons of organic olive oil yearly, of which 7-6 tons of IGP Toscano colline di Firenze, 4-5 tons of monocultivar Moraiolo, 3-4 tons of monocultivar Frantoio and 2 tons of monocultivar Americano. The company has received significant local and national attention, in the Slow Food and Gambero Rosso guides for example, and important international recognition as well. 

Visits and tastings by appointment.

 

Back in the town of Antella and continuing toward Villa Mondeggi, we find the Azienda Agricola Malenchini right at the heart of the Florentine Chianti hills, run by Diletta Malenchini. Of the 70 hectares of land surrounding the Medici Villa of Lilliano, 42 hectares are made up by olive groves counting around 12,000 trees, principally the Frantoio, Pendolino, Moraiolo and Leccino varieties. The olives are harvested by hand and are cold pressed within 24 hours of being picked. The result is an intensely green extra virgin olive oil marked by fresh and slightly fruity aromas and pleasant undertones of artichoke. The fruity notes stand out particularly, marked by a slightly spicy undertone. A visit to the unique orciaia, an olive oil storeroom where jars dating back to 1800 are kept, is also not to be missed. 

• Visits with oil and wine tastings can be booked. Prices are from 25 euros per person per adult.

 

Just above Capannuccia we find the Azienda Agricola Policleto. Their extra virgin olive oil is produced by pressing Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo olives, the day they are collected, in continuous cycle mills working at optimal temperatures. The organic oil that results is clear and green and boasts a highly complex and fine scent, with gentle green undertones and a particularly subtle note of rosemary. The taste is robust and full bodied, with the perfect slightly spicy-bitter combination, giving way to a final note of green almond. The oil, highlighted in the 2010 Italian Slow Food extra virgin olive oil guide, can be tasted and purchased directly at the farm.

This post is also available in: Italian