Yes, They’re Still Harvesting Olives!

First: A correction. The last time I wrote about the harvest I mistakenly said that Italy is the world’s largest producer of olive oil. In fact Italy is number two, behind Spain. I’ll accept this fact but find it hard to imagine how there can be any more olives anywhere else in the world.

Unlike the vendemmia, which was over in just a few weeks, olive harvest in Chianti seems to be a season of its own. Today on my afternoon walk, I once again heard the mechanical thrum of electric rakes combing the trees. Regardless of which path or road I wander down, those rakes provide the staccato soundtrack to my walk. And at least a part of every grove is swathed in the green netting to catch the harvest.

The electric alternative to manual raking

Cars and trucks still line Via Chiantigiana (my street) morning, noon and night. I can’t recall the last time the large overhead door into the milling station was closed. And this is just in little Panzano. I try to imagine this scene played out in countless other venues throughout the region. There sure are a whole lot of olives being pressed!

The idea of these bitter little oval fruits transformed into the pungent, silky condiment I love captivates me. So I just had to share a few more photos.

Drums filled with freshly milled EVO outside the milling room

Displays in every store are crowded with bottles of this season’s  new oil