Once the grapes in vineyards have mostly been harvested and must is slowly turning to young wine in barrels, olive groves come to life. The olive harvesting season in places with a Mediterranean climate extends from October to November. Carefully picked olives make their way to ‘torklje’, a special oil press from which oil flows. Would you like to see the birth of fresh olive oil? Visit the Slovenian Istria, the region of Slovenia with the most olive groves. However, you can also find some in the Brda Hills, the Vipava Valley, and in the Karst. Learn about the story of Slovenian olive oil in your own way and let your taste buds verify its quality.
As you explore the green inland areas of Slovenian Istria, you’ll come upon olive groves at almost every step. The area between the Adriatic Sea and the Karst Rim creates favourable conditions for the production of a very special oil – extra virgin olive oil from Slovenian Istria, which has a protected indication of origin. This oil with a distinctive bitter and spicy flavour is also very highly regarded by gourmets. However, it’s also true that every oil producer leaves their unique mark on their oil. Visit them and taste their oils accompanied by selected local dishes and wine.
Enjoy unique, authentic, boutique five-star experiences bearing the ‘Slovenia Unique Experience’ label. You have the opportunity to learn the entire story of how olive oil is made in a unique way. This oil is excellently paired with other gems of Istrian cuisine, including the best farmed branzino (European bass) in the world.
A nostalgic journey in legendary classic cars through Istria’s olive groves.
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Visit Istrian oil makers and tourist farms, where the farmers will be glad to show you their olive groves and olive oil and serve you other local delicacies, too. During olive harvesting season, they’ll also be happy if you give them a hand in the olive grove.
Would you like to learn first-hand how olives are harvested in olive groves? Join the locals and pick ripe olives manually or using a special rake that allows them to fall into spread nets. The farmers at the Tonin Tourist Farm and at the oil-producing Jerko Farm would also love some of your help. In the inland areas around Koper, you can try harvesting olives at Bočaj and Obad eco farms and at Gec farm.
Although the majority of olive groves are located in the Slovenian Istria, you can also find them in other areas with a Mediterranean climate. Visit oil makers in the Brda Hills, where you can find sun-kissed olive groves accompanied by vast vineyards and orchards nestled amongst picturesque villages. Vipava Valley is a valley of diverse flavours. Farmers there also produce olive oil virtually in ‘boutique’ quantities, thus reviving the oil making tradition in this valley. You can find some olive groves and oil makers in the Karst, too.
If autumn is mainly the season for working in olive groves and in ‘torklje’ oil presses, then spring and summer are the seasons for various events devoted to olive oil and other special local features.
Olive oil is often paired with other flavours from the Mediterranean and beyond. The best chefs in Slovenia know how to use it masterfully in their dishes. However, learn about the other assets of Slovenian cuisine, too.
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Do you know the typical flavours of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain?
Where to taste wines from Slovenia's three wine-growing regions?
Discover why Slovenia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for gourmets.
Learn about the wealth of Slovenian cuisine and its protected particularities.
If you visit the Primorska wine region, be sure to visit the typical osmice wine bars, occasional wine bars, where you will be served local wines and dishes.
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