It is an experiential tour among thousand-year-old olive trees and mills that allows visitors to discover the techniques of extra-virgin olive oil production and the differences between the local cultivars through sensory analysis. The tour starts by bike from the historic center of Monopoli and, following old roads and dirt tracks, you will cross monumental olive groves where you can admire some of the oldest trees in the area. Then, you will visit the first mill where a multi-cultivar oil is produced by cold-pressing the Cima di Mola, Leccina, and Picholine cultivars. The visit to the surrounding olive grove and mill concludes with sensory analysis of the oil. Next, you will ride to another mill that stands next to the remains of a hypogeum used in medieval times for olive pressing. Here, for years, a family-run company managed by three sisters has been dedicated to the production of monovarietal oils from Coratina, Picholene, and Cima di Mola cultivars. In particular, the latter cultivar is harvested from a selection of millennial trees still productive today, albeit in a limited way, due to the effects of time. For these reasons, the analysis of the three types of extra-virgin oil can be considered a journey through time and into the world of local olive growing. The bike tour ends at the starting point, our office in the historic center of Monopoli.
Mountain bike rental and accessories, insurance policy, Italian/English speaking guide, ticket for sensory analysis of extra-virgin olive oil and typical Apulian products. Anything not expressly mentioned is not included.
Notes:
The organizers reserve the right to cancel the tour or modify the itinerary in case of adverse weather conditions.
Booking the tour a few days in advance is necessary.