Bookings For You work closely with producers of superb extra virgin olive oil throughout Italy. We’ve included a few examples below. Obviously, our recommendations in Tuscany will be closest to you for your trip to Florence. But if you’ve planned a stay at one of our villas in Italy outside Florence and would like to book an olive oil tasting experience, we have included some other options too. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information.
There are some fantastic foodie day tours from Florence to enjoy. For example, you could take a day trip from Florence to San Gimignano to enjoy both a wine and olive oil tasting experience and a delicious lunch! Or this food tour from Florence to Fiesole will take you to a family-owned olive farm just outside Florence. Here you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the olive oil-making process and have the opportunity to sample their oil and honey. But the tour doesn’t stop there. After that, you’ll head to a family owned winery and enjoy time there too.
In Tuscany, we are also proud to work with a wonderful estate in the hills outside Florence. It’s set on top of a hill overlooking the Chianti region. The estate comprises a 15th century Tuscany villa which once belonged to the Gheradini family. This is the family of the famous Mona Lisa. The house is surrounded by 30 hectares of olive groves containing 6000 olive trees.
For the past 200 years, the property has been in the Calamai family. Marco looks after the olive trees, following strict rules handed down over the generations. The olives are all picked by hand in order to keep each fruit in tact until it is crushed in the oil mill. This, combined with the combination of different olive varieties used – Frantoiano, Moraiolo and Leccino – is what ensures this Tuscan oil is so special. And of course, you will have the chance to sample all the oils on a tour.
Marco’s wife, Eleanora, can also offer visiting guests the opportunity to share her passion for cooking. She runs cookery courses throughout the year.
Marco and Eleanora will be delighted to give you a tour of the estate at Villa Monte Oriolo.
If you don’t mind going a bit further afield, in neighbouring Umbria, we work closely with the Pinelli family. They produce award winning olive oil from their beautiful estate there. Their extra virgin olive oil is rated among the best in Italy by the official national guide of the Italian Association of Olive Oil Sommeliers.
The Pinelli’s oil is produced using five different olive varieties – Dolce Agogia, Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo and Pendolino. Their olive oil has a distinctive, fruity taste with bitter and spicy notes.
The Pinelli family will be delighted to give you a tour of the olive groves. Not only that. They’ll also explain how the oil is produced in their own mill at Il Fontanaro. You will also have the chance to enjoy a tasting session with them.
Whilst there, take the opportunity to visit the bee hives within their grounds. We highly recommend you ask to sample the wonderful honey they also produce. Plus, Lucia also runs superb cookery lessons for you to enjoy if you wish to extend your trip with the family.
If you head across to Le Marche, we are proud to offer an unforgettable experience for visitors wanting to learn about the production of olive oil. The olives are picked in November each year. Visitors are welcome to come and take part in the harvesting and pressing of the olives across this busy season. Of course, visitors at any time of year can also enjoy a tasting tour where the production process will be explained.
