How do they get the olives from the trees anyway?

Every November in Tuscany, an extraordinary event takes place. It is the olive harvest. A year's worth of hard work and some good fortune of perfect weather will bring forth the much-awaited Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive oil. Havest takes place from mid-November through December.

The answer to the question above is by hand either with a special comb or an electric device with long vibrating fingers. Combed olives fall on the large canvas mats covering the ground. The mats are then gathered up, and the olives transferred into large tubs for transport to the Frantioi or olive mill. The olives must be pressed within 24 hrs of harvesting to become extra virgin olive oil. Olives are a fruit and will start to ferment if not pressed soon after picking. In Italy, a low acidity measurement of 0.5% or less is necessary to label the oil Extra Virgin.

To a native Tuscan, this EVOO is like green gold. In Tuscany, we have the luxury to enjoy the freshest oil as it comes off the press. The flavor is like none other. A bit spicy on the back of the tongue with notes of artichoke freshly cut grass.

I have had the pleasure to observe my husbands family press their oil every year. Just like their neighbors, my in-laws harvest their olives by hand and deliver their bounty to the local mill for pressing. See video clip here. My relatives will have a 2-hour time slot. At the appropriate time their olives go into the hooper and then the wait begins. Two hours later they place their stainless steel vessels under the spigot to receive the fragrant oil.

The mill or Frantoio is a family-owned business, and the locals tend to use the same mill year after year, sometimes from generation to generation. From November through December the specialized milling equipment is most often operating 24 hours a day to keep up with the demand. The rest of the year this specialized equipment remains unused.

In traditional Tuscan fashion, the visit to the mill is an opportunity to catch up with neighbors and friends. The mill becomes a social hub and a chance to visit and chat. Usually, there is a bit of food and wine shared among those waiting their turn for their pressing. On past visits, we have been offered a taste of Chianti wine or Vin Santo while at the mill.

There is something magical about this time of year. The air is fresh, and the days are a bit shorter. I often think that the olive harvest signals the real onset of the fall and winter months. The grape harvest which started in September is a distant thought, the critical process of fermentation is over, and the wine and is now resting. This time of year, we enjoy other delectable seasonal offerings such as chestnuts and Truffles. We are reminded again about natures generosity in Tuscany.

In October we offer a chance to visit our local Frantoio and view first hand the mechanical process of the pressing. The most satisfying piece is savoring the freshly pressed olive oil on site. See the special video here.

Flavors of Tuscany Olive Harvest and Wine Tour Package

Join us October 16 through the 21, 2019. We offer a five- day and five-night all-inclusive package, including hotel accomodations in Siena steps away from the Il Campo piazza. Visit family wineries in Montalcino and Chianti, visit a Pecorino cheese farm, enjoy a cooking class with opera in the kitchen, visit a local salumeria, enjoy traditional Tuscan dinners. Attend a locals-only event, for the first tasting of the extra virgin olive oil as it comes off the press. All this and a few surprises await.

Five days and five evenings of pure Tuscan pleasure.

Only 3700 euros per double occupancy.

Does not include airfare.

Please contact Deb Larsen for more information.

Flavorsoftuscany2019@gmail.com

Italy Unfiltered offers personalized wine tours for small groups in Tuscany specializing in Chianti, Brunello, Vino Nobile winery tours. Daily tours or multi-day tours, Italy Unfiltered will meet you at your location and take you on an insider, local wine tasting experience. An authentic tuscany experience awaits you with ITALY UNFILTERED. Visit our website for more about our Tuscany tours and personal driver. Contact us today!

Servicing Siena, Florence, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Radda in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, and the greater Siena and Firenze provinces.