The discovery of a small Roman oil mill in the area of Brisighella shows how olive growing has been intertwined with the history of this territory for centuries. The first evidence of oil production in the area dates back to the 15th century, but it is only recently that the oil trade has developed in Brisighella, thanks to the foundation of a social oil mill (1970).
Coming from the hills of Brisighella, Faenza, Riolo Terme, Casola Valsenio and Modigliana, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Brisighella DOP is the fruit of a variety of olive tree called Nostrana, which is present in the territory in an amount never lower than 90%.
The ancient ritual of harvesting takes place every year from the beginning of November until Christmas and is done by hand on steeply sloping land, with the same technique used in the past; the olives are then transported to the oil mill within a maximum of 4 days from the harvest.
The pressing produces an oil with an intense and delicate aroma, with hints of fresh herbs and green artichokes, and a fruity flavour with spicy notes. The color is striking for its emerald green with golden reflections.
Brisighella offers the opportunity to attend a demonstration of pressing and taste the new oil during the Festival of the Olive and Oil which takes place in November, while walking along the path of the Open Air Museum of Oil Brisighella you can admire the approximately 90,000 olive trees in the production area.
