Category: News

Dear friends, partners, and olive oil enthusiasts,

The end of the year is always a special time—a moment to reflect, celebrate achievements, and plan for what lies ahead. This year has brought many challenges, but also countless successes that inspire us to move forward with even more passion and dedication.

Among the many awards and recognitions, we received this year, it still feels incredible to recall being honored with the prestigious Premio Il Magnifico for “Best Olive Oil Hospitality in Europe” at the heart of Tuscany earlier this year. Additionally, just before this year’s harvest, the Italian guide Flos Olei named us the “Best Green Farm in the World,” recognizing us as the world’s best producer of organic extra virgin olive oil!

We are immensely proud of our Chiavalon team, whose hard work and dedication make every step of our process unique. From the olive groves to your kitchen, every drop of our oil reflects their commitment. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for trusting us, enabling us to grow and improve year after year.

During the holiday season, we wish you joyful moments with your loved ones, surrounded by festive tables, delicious food, and plenty of cheer. If our bottles of olive oil grace your table and Chiavalon is part of your holiday tradition, thank you—we are honored to share these special moments with you.

To enter 2025 with fresh energy and ideas, our team will be taking a well-deserved break from December 21, 2024, to January 12, 2025. During this time, our webshop will remain open for orders, which we will begin shipping upon our return on January 13, 2025.

From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year! Thank you for being part of our story.

With love,

The Chiavalon Family

What weather conditions did 2024 bring for olive growers in Istria?

This year was a very challenging one. We had a rainy and wet spring followed by a very dry summer. There’s an old saying, “anno d’erba, anno di merda” (a year of grass, a bad year), and this year the grass just wouldn’t stop growing. The rain made it difficult to protect the olives from peacock’s eye disease, and conditions were perfect for pest reproduction. Fortunately, the hot summer with temperatures over 32°C made the olive fly sterile, and there wasn’t much pest damage, except in areas affected by certain new pests. Despite these challenges, we defended our groves, and the harvest is quite good, though rain during harvest reduced yields slightly.

Did climate change affect this year’s harvest?

The harvest is happening at an ideal time for specific varieties, and we’re picking them one by one. This year, we harvested the Bjelica variety first, which was previously a late variety but has now become the earliest due to climate change. We also harvested Rožinjola, while Leccino and Pendolino, once early varieties, are now late and still ripening. All the oils will be stored in our cellar.

Under what conditions is olive oil stored to ensure top quality?

The ideal conditions protect the oil from light, temperature, and oxygen. Our “black room” maintains a temperature of 16°C, and the oil is stored in stainless steel tanks under an argon atmosphere to prevent oxidation. Before each harvest, the tanks are steam-cleaned for disinfection.

How is the process of blending varieties carried out?

We blend different varieties of olive oil in a way that we take small amounts from different tanks, and blend them in bottles until we get few options for tasting over several days. Once we decide how we want the blends to taste, the corresponding tanks are mixed. The oils are then bottled throughout the year as per customer orders – not all at once.

Who is involved in selecting the perfect blend?

Almost the entire company is involved in the process, but it is mainly handled by Anja Novoselić, PhD, an expert in olive oil, Lara Benčić, M.Sc. in Agronomy and an olive oil sommelier, and myself. Vita Chiavalon, my daughter, also plays a major role, as she has an excellent sense for recognizing olive oil aromas and flavors. My son Antonio is also becoming increasingly interested and is improving steadily. Once a test blend is made, it is tasted not only by us but also by some of our distributors and clients, and only then is the selection process complete.

How is hygiene maintained in producing extra virgin olive oil?

The mill must be spotless to produce top-quality olive oil. After each break, everything is cleaned because any residue from previous batches can oxidize and spoil the next one. Cleaning the mill takes 5-6 hours, depending on weather and the number of olives harvested. At the beginning and end of the harvest, we stop daily for cleaning, while during peak harvest, it’s cleaned between each client.

Besides expertise and technology, weather is an unpredictable factor in olive farming. What quality of extra virgin olive oil do you expect from this year’s harvest?

The rain positively impacted the quality of the oil. The oils are very aromatic, intense, and full of flavor, and I believe our clients will be very satisfied.

Hydrating your skin after summer is essential to combat premature aging. Sun, saltwater, and heat dehydrate the skin and can cause long-term damage. UV rays harm cellular tissue, break down collagen, and dry out the epidermal layer, making it thinner and less toned. Fortunately, nature provides powerful oils to revitalize the skin after sun exposure. In this article, we explore the benefits of extra virgin olive oil, St. John’s wort oil, bay leaf oil, and rosemary oil, along with a DIY recipe that you can easily incorporate into your daily skincare routine.

Olive Oil: Deep skin hydration

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) offers deep skin hydration. Rich in oleic acid and vitamin E, it strengthens the skin’s surface layer, preventing moisture loss. Its antioxidant properties also reduce oxidative stress caused by UV exposure. By restoring elasticity and hydration, EVOO slows down skin aging and the deepening of wrinkles. Besides these long-term benefits, EVOO provides an immediate effect, giving the skin a natural glow after just a few days of regular application.

St. John’s Wort Oil: Healing from within

St. John’s wort oil is renowned for its healing properties, especially effective for skin damaged by excessive sun exposure. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and irritation, promoting faster healing of damaged skin. The oil also possesses antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Use St. John’s wort oil after sun exposure and thoroughly rinse your skin before further sun exposure, as it is photosensitive. Learn more about its healing benefits here.

Bay Leaf Oil: Skin revitalization

Bay leaf oil is not a common ingredient in facial creams and serums, but it holds great potential for skin revitalization. Rich in vitamins A and C, it stimulates cell regeneration. Its antimicrobial properties cleanse the skin and can prevent acne breakouts after summer. In addition to revitalizing skin, bay leaf oil is also beneficial for hair care, adding shine and softness. The base oil for bay leaf is olive oil, and we, of course, used Chiavalon extra virgin olive oil.

Rosemary Oil: Stimulating and refreshing

Rosemary oil boosts circulation and has diuretic properties that reduce puffiness around the eyes. It tones the skin, giving it a firmer and more radiant appearance. Besides facial care, rosemary oil is used to combat cellulite by stimulating the lymphatic system and promoting toxin removal. Its most popular use, however, is for hair growth, a major trend on TikTok. Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal from the Cleveland Clinic has explained the benefits of rosemary oil for hair health. Chiavalon combines rosemary and bay leaf oil for enhanced effects and easier application.

A Holistic Approach to skin hydration after summer

Combining natural oils creates a holistic approach to skincare, meeting multiple needs simultaneously. Extra virgin olive oil serves as the base, providing deep hydration and protection. St. John’s wort oil heals and soothes, bay leaf oil rejuvenates and revitalizes, and rosemary oil stimulates and tones. Together, these four precious oils can restore your skin’s balance and vitality after summer.

DIY Magic oil mix for the face

For those who enjoy natural cosmetics, creating a DIY facial oil is a simple way to provide your skin with the best of Mediterranean herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon St. John’s wort oil
• 10 drops bay leaf and rosemary oil

Instructions:

1. Mix the oils in a small glass bottle
2. Shake well to combine
3. After your evening facial cleansing, apply 2-3 drops of the oil mixture to your fingertips
4. Massage into the face and neck using upward circular motions
5. Allow the oil to absorb before applying your moisturizer

Note:

If you have sensitive skin, test a small amount behind your ear and wait 24 hours before applying it to your entire face. The oil mix works best at night when the skin’s natural repair processes are most active. Remember to cleanse your skin thoroughly in the morning before sun exposure and always use sunscreen—your skin will thank you.

CONCLUSION

Hydrating your skin after summer goes beyond addressing immediate dryness or irritation; it involves protecting the overall health of all skin layers. By incorporating EVOO, St. John’s wort oil, bay leaf oil, and rosemary oil into your daily routine, you can effectively counteract the damaging effects of the summer months. These oils work synergistically to hydrate, heal, and revitalize your skin, providing a healthy, glowing complexion all year round.

When you have just one day to explore, and you want to make the most of it with captivating experiences, Terra Magica offers an endless source of inspiration. Today, we present a suggestion on how to indulge all your senses with the flavors, scents, and colors of Istria, collecting memories that will last a lifetime.

VODNJAN – Learn to taste olive oil

Vodnjan is an authentic gem that preserves the tradition of the Istrian way of life, blending it with modern times in a unique way. Its palaces and streets are rich with details from Gothic, Venetian, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, along with beautiful churches and monuments that coexist with a vibrant street art scene and impressive murals on facades. Beyond its rich history, Vodnjan is renowned for its production of extra virgin olive oil.

OPG Chiavalon in Vodnjan is the most awarded producer of extra virgin olive oil in Croatia, and their Ex Albis oil is ranked among the top 25 organic extra virgin olive oils in the world. Join a guided tour of the estate, where you’ll walk through olive groves overlooking the Brijuni Islands, and learn about the cultivation and production techniques. In the tasting room inside the modern olive mill, you’ll discover how to properly taste and recognize authentic extra virgin olive oil. After sharpening your palate, treat yourself to a selection of Istrian tapas and wines. Choose your unique tasting experience here.

Before leaving Vodnjan, take a look at the Park of Kažun, an open-air museum showcasing the Istrian tradition of dry-stone construction used for shepherds’ and farmers’ shelters during bad weather.

Just a 20-minute drive away is your next destination, the most romantic corner of Istria – Rovinj.

ROVINJ – Fall in love at first sight

There aren’t many places where beauty leaves you breathless, and Rovinj is certainly one of them. Take your time to simply stand and admire this picturesque town on a peninsula, surrounded by the sea, boats, and a small archipelago of islands. Colorful facades, winding cobblestone streets, houses that touch the sea, and the dominant bell tower of St. Euphemia’s Church at the top create a postcard-perfect scene. Explore the old town, its galleries, souvenir shops, and charming cafes. The view from the Baroque bell tower, topped by a statue of the saint indicating the wind direction, is nothing short of spectacular. On clear days, you can even see the Alps.

Once you’ve soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of the old town, head to one of Rovinj’s beaches. The Golden Cape Forest Park, or Punta Corrente, is only a 15-minute walk from the center and offers a cool retreat in a forest oasis of cypress, pine, and Himalayan cedar trees. You can walk, bike, try free climbing, or simply dive into the blue sea and relax. The rocky beaches are ideal for quiet relaxation, while pebbled coves are perfect for families with children. As the sun begins to set, drive north to Višnjan, about a 40-minute ride away. On the way, you can explore the unique Lim Channel and taste fresh shellfish directly from the sea. Learn more here.

VIŠNJAN – Gaze at the Starry Sky

In the ancient town of Višnjan, you can meet some of the world’s most successful asteroid hunters. In terms of the number of potentially dangerous objects discovered near Earth, the Višnjan Observatory stands alongside NASA. This alone is a great reason to end your magical Istrian journey here, where gazing at the starry sky lets you touch your dreams.

During the summer season, astrotourism programs are organized for visitors, including lectures, tours of the observatory and the main telescope dome, and stargazing when weather permits. The stargazing experience concludes with guided constellation observation aided by a laser. The Astro Night program begins in the evening, with sessions available in Croatian on some days and in English on others. Check the exact schedule here.

We talked to Nastasja Petrić about maintaining a balanced diet for every family member. How to plan meals to maximize nutritional value without spending half the day in the kitchen, how to instill good habits in children, and her recommendation for a quick summer recipe that anyone can easily prepare in their kitchen. Read on to find out more.

What do you see as the biggest challenges in maintaining a balanced diet for children, and how do you handle these challenges?

“I think it’s not talked about enough because many people idealize parenthood, but to start with, I think the biggest challenge is to cook quality meals for the whole family every day. People work long hours, commute to and from work for unrealistically long times, come home tired, and then still have to cook a meal for the family, often for the next day as well. That’s why I believe it’s easier for people to reach for semi-finished products and deliveries because fatigue takes its toll, and kids are always hungry and craving something. So, kudos to everyone who fulfills this daily task because even as a chef, I sometimes find it very exhausting. That’s why I think we should occasionally make this part of parenting easier for ourselves in one way or another.”

How do you educate your children about nutrition and healthy eating habits? Are there specific approaches or activities that you find effective?

“Involving children in cooking whenever possible, that is, whenever you have the will for it, going to markets and stores together, and talking about food, differences, cultivation, origins. A relaxed approach to feeding works only if you are aware of how certain foods affect the body, so it’s wise to explain to a child that it’s perfectly okay to eat a chocolate bar, but if we overdo it, our body will feel strange, and that awareness is needed. We can overdo it with apples, of course, but making a child aware of how their body reacts to certain foods is the first step toward a better relationship with food. Physical activity as the foundation of everyday life and enough sleep and rest. Children naturally know how to live healthily, but we can spoil it with our wrong approach.”

How do you balance the nutritional needs of your children in their daily meals, especially considering different ages or developmental stages?

“When they say they’ve had enough during a meal, I don’t insist on another spoonful or extra bite because I think it’s necessary. I firmly believe they know best when they’ve had enough. Sometimes it can be challenging if a child saves themselves for sweets or foods they like more, not eating the meal we’ve prepared, but these are normal parenting challenges, and there are ways to get through them. Certainly not by force. But a balance between family table rules and children’s desires is necessary. There’s no magical formula; everyone knows where their limit is for themselves and their children.”

MEAL PLANNING STRATEGIES

What strategies do you use in meal planning to ensure a balanced diet for your family? How do you reconcile preferences with nutritional requirements?

“I always have ingredients at home for 15-minute meals. This is my personal trick because it often happens that I don’t feel like cooking, but I don’t want them to eat something unhealthy, so I’m at least sure I have 4-5 ingredients for such meals at home. The best example is creamy pasta with vegetables. While the pasta is cooking, I prepare the vegetables or just take peas or similar from the freezer and add them to the pasta for the last two minutes. I drain and mix the ingredients with something creamy like mascarpone or sour cream, season with garlic and oregano, and serve with Parmesan. The fastest meal most kids love, and it takes a maximum of 15 minutes to prepare.”

What advice would you give to parents struggling to prepare balanced, nutritious meals for their children despite a busy schedule?

“There are several Instagram profiles that deal with this topic, which is fortunate because when my girls were little, I was the only one covering this topic. So I can freely call my girls guinea pigs, as I regularly shared everything I learned and achieved with them on my profile. We all learned together, and now there are people who professionally deal with this and help parents who get stuck when baby weaning starts, especially when the first challenges in the toddler phase begin. My advice would be to arm yourself with patience, surround yourself with people who share the same or similar philosophy about food, follow recipes that are closest to your preferences, and try to be as relaxed as possible in this seemingly tedious process, not fearing food and hunger, because that’s when beginner mistakes in meal preparation for children and families usually happen.”

Nastasja Petrić’s Recipe Choice

Especially in the summer months, homemade salsa and sataraš are indispensable parts of her kitchen. These recipes are extremely versatile and can be used as a sauce for pasta, rice, a base for meat dishes, or an addition to eggs or toasted bread. One of the secrets of her recipes is oven preparation, which makes the process easier and allows for richer flavor.

Oven-Baked Sataraš

Ingredients:

• 3 large peppers
• 1 large onion
• 8 medium tomatoes
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 heaping teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• A little pepper
• A generous amount of extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

1. You can cut the vegetables into large or small pieces.
2. Mix all the ingredients well on a wide and deep baking tray.
3. Bake at 200°C for about 45-50 minutes. Stir the vegetables a bit after half the time has passed.
4. The sataraš is done when the excess liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated, and all the vegetables are completely softened.
5. Serve it immediately or after it cools down. Sataraš can also be frozen.
6. If your children don’t like large pieces, feel free to blend the sataraš a bit and serve it as a sauce for pasta.
7. Optionally, add fresh basil leaves.

In conclusion, olive oil plays a crucial role in Nastasja Petrić’s kitchen, not only for its health benefits but also for its ability to enhance the flavor of every dish. Its presence in everyday meals, whether used raw or for cooking, makes it an indispensable part of her culinary philosophy. Nastasja believes that high-quality extra virgin olive oil can elevate any dish, making it the perfect seasoning in the kitchen.

Nastasja Chiara Petrić, a renowned culinary enthusiast and author, has captured the hearts of many food lovers with her work. Known as a chef, gastro blogger, and creative mind, she gained wider recognition about ten years ago as a contestant on the first Croatian MasterChef. She began her culinary career as a sous chef at the restaurant diVino in Hvar and later gained experience at Zagreb’s restaurants Prasac and Bistro Apetit.

Today, her Instagram profile is followed by over 30,000 people, where she shares her knowledge, tips, recipes, and experiences daily. Nastasja is also the author of the cookbook “Kuhaj drugačije (Cook differently)” which offers innovative recipes and inspiration for all cooking enthusiasts who want to explore new flavors and techniques in the kitchen.

In this interview, Nastasja shares her culinary passions, travel experiences, and how she balances delicious and healthy meals for her family.

What motivated you to enter the world of culinary arts?

“I’ve always loved good food. One of my earliest childhood memories is hearing people comment on how they enjoyed watching me eat, and I was always around my grandmother in the kitchen, especially when she was preparing Christmas cookies. I believe these early experiences deepened my love for cooking.”

What does it mean to be a chef today?

“Cooking can be learned, but creating delicious dishes is still linked to talent and palate. Some people need precise measurements of salt for a recipe to succeed, unlike those who have it ‘in their fingers.’ That feeling while cooking and enjoying it makes a difference in how the dish turns out. Given that a professional chef’s life is extremely demanding and tough, one needs at least that love for cooking to make the chef’s job a bit easier.”

You travel a lot and explore cuisines worldwide. Which cuisine do you like the most, and what habits from various cultures would you recommend adopting?

“Anyone who follows my career and daily life knows that my favorite cuisine is Asian. I might prefer Japanese a bit more than others, but I still love Thai and Chinese as well. I regularly prepare such dishes at home, at least twice a week, and I always keep everything necessary in the fridge and pantry to achieve the most authentic taste possible from what I’ve experienced on my travels. In Japan, the focus is on the ingredient, which is not overly treated, neither thermally nor with spices, and I love that they have cherished valuable fermentations like miso paste and soy sauce, which are pure umami and elevate every dish. Respect for quality ingredients is crucial for every chef or person who loves to cook (and eat).”

Which cuisine is your favorite? What makes it special?

“Although I prefer Asian flavors and cooking styles, our Mediterranean cuisine is also very dear to me. Each season brings a plethora of excellent ingredients we look forward to, so it is priceless to welcome asparagus and young peas in spring, tomatoes and watermelons in summer, apples and pumpkins in autumn, and we eat salads and kale in winter. I think one of the greatest riches is having the opportunity to taste the true original flavors of seasonal fruits and vegetables, which we still fortunately have in this part of the world.”

DEFINING HEALTHY MEALS

In your opinion, what makes a healthy meal for the family? Can you give an example of organizing a day’s meals to ensure your family eats healthily?

“A shared meal is the healthiest meal. When we eat together, or even better, when we prepare meals together, we create the best habits. Even if it’s pizza, burgers, and fries, the entire process of preparing the meal from scratch, involving the family members in the process, makes the meal healthy. Not every day is like that, and that’s okay, but assigning one person to set the table, another to toss the salad, and a third to wash the dishes… these are habits we should adopt and teach our children to follow. And believe me, they really enjoy being involved; for younger children, it turns into an additional activity. And I wouldn’t compare ‘healthy meals’ on a daily basis but rather on a weekly basis. During the week, we eat cooked, simple, and quick meals, and on weekends, we relax and enjoy what we love the most.”

Top 5 foods that nutritionally satisfy a family’s needs and can be found daily at the market or store?

“Eggs, quality bread, seasonal fruits and vegetables, a whole chicken, olive oil.”

What, in your opinion, constitutes an unhealthy meal? How do you navigate or minimize these choices in your family’s diet?

“I personally don’t like using terms like healthy and unhealthy food, but the fact is there are foods we should eat minimally or for occasional indulgences. Some people are absolutely against canned food, but on the other hand, sardines or cooked legumes come in such packaging, and we all have them at home and eat them on a weekly basis. There is a lot of ultra-processed food on the market whose composition we can’t even pronounce, let alone know what it is, so in that case, I would try to completely reduce or eliminate ready-made foods that are just reheated (pizzas, lasagnas, canned stews, etc.). On the other hand, you’ll always find frozen vegetables in my freezer, which is ideal for quick meal preparation, like peas and broccoli, because once you become responsible for regularly preparing meals for the whole family, you want to make it as easy as possible.”

What are the impacts of such a diet on children and adults? Can you link it to emotions, hormones, concentration…?

“The world has become really fast, with thousands of constantly changing information, and people are understandably confused. But if we take care to pay attention to our diet, purchase quality food, get enough sleep, exercise daily, rest, nurture our minds, and enjoy things that make us happy surrounded by people we love, I think everything else is much easier to maintain. I love cooking for my family, but I also love going out with them for cake and pizza. It’s not a philosophy, just a normal, healthy family life.”

When choosing vegetables at the store, what do you look for to ensure freshness and nutritional value? How do you work on getting children to accept a variety of vegetables?

“To have my children eat (and love to eat) a variety of fruits and vegetables today, I worked on that from the first day of their introduction to solid foods. They were surrounded by such food, I didn’t force anything on them, and I believed that by exposing them to such food and a relaxed approach, they would eventually come to love eating everything we as a family eat. Of course, each of us has our own taste preferences, so each of us over time shows a preference for something more or less. That’s absolutely normal and natural. In the store, I buy seasonal vegetables, although in large supermarkets that doesn’t mean much anymore because it feels like everything is available all year round, so I prefer markets, small producers, and my own eyes and nose when shopping, trying to judge what’s okay.”

Difference in quality between market-bought, home-grown, and today’s supermarket foods?

“Big. Regardless of the labels. The only way to be completely sure it’s okay is if you have your own garden that you care for daily and see how it grows. Today, I believe the greatest wealth is having food from a trusted source and cultivation.”

USING OLIVE OIL

Olive oil is known for its health benefits. Can you share how you incorporate olive oil into your family’s meals? Are there specific dishes where it is indispensable for you?

“We use olive oil literally every day. When I fry eggs in the morning, when I dress a salad, when I don’t feel like eating anything but a bit of bread and oil on a plate. I highly value olive oil, its taste, range, and effects. And I always prefer oil that I know is of excellent quality. I mostly eat it raw, but occasionally cook with it. I feel bad about processing it thermally because I love to feel its full flavor when it’s just poured over vegetables or on bruschettas.”

What is important to know about olive oil from your perspective?

“Olive oil is one of my favorite **spices** in cooking. There’s no dish that can’t be elevated with top-quality extra virgin olive oil.”

In conclusion, olive oil plays a crucial role in Nastasja Chiara Petrić’s kitchen, not only for its health benefits but also for its ability to enhance the flavor of every dish. Its presence in everyday meals, whether used raw or for cooking, makes it an indispensable part of her culinary philosophy. Nastasja believes that top-quality extra virgin olive oil can elevate every dish, making it the perfect spice in cooking.

A compound from olives shows remarkable results in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. A research team from an American university has published a new study demonstrating that elenolic acid can lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Could this pave the way for the development of safe and affordable natural products to control obesity and type 2 diabetes?

Modern science has proven that the therapeutic properties of extra virgin olive oil lie in its chemical composition. It is rich in polyphenols, which have strong antioxidant properties and are an important part of the diet. To learn more about the numerous benefits of extra virgin olive oil on our overall health, read on. The new study confirms the beneficial effect of this green gem on two major health issues of our time.

A team of scientists from Virginia Tech University discovered the following. Elenolic acid from olives regulates blood sugar and reduces obesity after just one week of consumption. The glucose-lowering effect was comparable to that of diabetes medication.

“Available obesity drugs are ineffective in maintaining weight loss, expensive, and pose long-term health risks. Our goal was to develop a safer and cheaper drug that can prevent metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes,” said the head of the research team, Dr. Liu.

NUTRITION – The Most Important World Congress on Nutrition

NUTRITION is the most important world congress organized by the American Society for Nutrition. It gathers scientists, doctors, and nutritionists to find solutions to the nutritional challenges of the new era. Presenting the research results at this year’s NUTRITION 2024 in Chicago, scientists highlighted that during four to five weeks of elenolic acid application, obesity was reduced by as much as 10.7%.

Overall, the study showed that the compound from olives has promising effects on hormone release and metabolic health. The research team is now observing how this compound stimulates metabolism by analyzing its movement through the body. Olives in the treatment of obesity are a new scientific approach to this problem. Whether this will lead to safe and natural weight loss medications will depend on further clinical trials.

Is Every Olive Oil Therapeutic?

What we certainly know is that the production method determines not only the quality of the oil but also its therapeutic properties. Why is Chiavalon extra virgin olive oil extraordinary?

The method of production and storage is crucial:

• Early harvest, when one-third of the olive fruit has changed color
• Quick processing within a few hours of harvest
• Cold pressing method with cooling the olives before processing
• Storage in stainless steel containers with inert gas at a constant temperature of 16℃

With such top-notch technology, non-oxidized oil with a high concentration of polyphenols with antioxidant properties is obtained. However, there is another ingredient that is especially cared for in the Chiavalon olive grove – love for the olive to bring out the best in it.

To see the synergy of tradition and modern technology in Istria, visit Vodnjan. For a unique experience of Chiavalon oil tasting and discovering the secrets of its creation, book an appointment.

Embark on a flavorful journey where our sun-kissed olive groves in Istria are not just about producing olive oil; they’re about creating experiences. We’re the Chiavalon family, and we can’t wait to share with you the ins and outs of what makes our place special. It’s laid-back, it’s fun, and it’s an eye-opener to the world of olive oil.

A taste of our world

We’re all about keeping it real and making sure you have a good time. Firstly, let’s see how different people experience EVOO tastings:

The casual sipper: New around here? No worries. We’ll introduce you to our oils in a way that’s easy to understand and fun to learn. It’s all about getting a feel for what good olive oil tastes like.

The seasoned sniffer: Ready to dive a bit deeper? We’ll explore some of our standout oils, sharing the stories and the subtle flavors that make each one unique.

The flavor fanatic: Love good food and good company? Pair our oils with local bites and see how they can transform a simple meal into something extraordinary.

What you’ll learn

Our experienced guides are not just knowledgeable; they’re passionate about sharing the magic of olive oil. During your visit, you’ll learn about the rich history and tradition of olive oil production in the world, Istria and at our farm. After that we’ll switch on the meticulous process of growing, harvesting, and production of our olives to extra virgin olive oil. Then we are transferring to the art of tasting the olive oil and identifying quality and flavors followed by pairing olive oil with food to elevate your culinary creations.

Explore our tailored Tasting Experiences

At Chiavalon, we believe in providing a personalized touch to your visit. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned connoisseur, our carefully designed tasting experiences promise to transform your understanding and appreciation of extra virgin olive oil.

1. Taste Istria (60-90 min): Immerse yourself in the Chiavalon story, from the Roman Empire to today. Walk through our groves, visit the mill, and learn the art of olive oil tasting. Savor traditional snacks paired with Istrian Malvasia wine, and enjoy organic drinks for kids.
2. Grand Tasting (120 min): Indulge in the ultimate olive oil experience. Enjoy a welcome drink, a guided grove and mill tour, and a tasting of four unique oils. Discover the perfect pairings with local snacks and wine, and end on a sweet note with dessert and sweet local wine, including organic drinks for kids.
3. MixOILogy (120 min): Learn about olive cultivation since the Roman Empire and the modern production phases of extra virgin olive oil. In our specialized tasting room, you’ll discover how to identify premium olive oils’ unique properties and characteristics. The experience culminates in crafting cocktails infused with our exquisite olive oil, paired with delectable nibbles, and a branded shaker gift.
4. Istrian Tapas, Wine and Olive Oil experience (120-150 min): Immerse yourself in our family’s rich history and philosophy of olive oil production with a guided journey through our olive grove and mill. Discover the heritage of olive cultivation since the Roman Empire and the modern methods of producing extra virgin olive oil. In our tasting room, you’ll learn to identify premium olive oils’ unique properties and characteristics. The experience concludes with delicious tapas prepared by Istrian wine sommelier Karin Rupena Perdec, paired with renowned Istrian wines.

Ready to embark on this flavorful journey? Visit our website, book your tasting and unlock the secrets of Chiavalon’s olive oil. Your senses will thank you!

At the prestigious Premio Il Magnifico competition in Tuscany we won the award for “Best Oil Hospitality 2024” – the best oleotourism in Europe. Winning such an award in the heart of Tuscany is an immense recognition that means more to us than we can explain; it is a confirmation of our long-standing commitment to quality and excellence. Premio Il Magnifico is an “institution” for olive growing, the most recognized in these areas, and after winning the olive Oscar “Il Magnifico” two years ago and last year’s “Best of North Adriatic Region” award, this year’s recognition left us breathless.

Journey from the first tasting room to the best olive tourism in Europe: the story of Chiavalon olive oil

From the very beginnings of our journey in the world of olive growing, every step we took was guided by love and dedication with one clear goal – to share our passion for premium olive oil with the whole world. Today, with pride, we look back on the journey from opening the first olive oil tasting room in Istria in 2008 to achieving recognition on the international stage as leaders in olive tourism.

Beginnings: the first olive oil tasting room in Istria

When we opened the doors of our first tasting room, we never dreamed where this adventure would take us. It all started in 2008 when, driven by vision and enthusiasm, we opened the first olive oil tasting room in Istria. At that time, olive tourism was not a widely recognized concept, and we ourselves did not know everything we wanted and how to show it. What we did know was that through the tasting room, we wanted to create a place where we could share our knowledge, passion, and, most importantly, connect people with the true essence of olive oil. In those early days, we believed in the power of simplicity and honesty, values that continue to guide us today.

Growth and development: New Chiavalon olive mill

Our commitment to quality and innovation began to attract attention, and every step of our growth was closely connected with the support of our community. Over the years, we worked on expanding our capacities and offerings, culminating in the opening of the new olive mill in Vodnjan at the end of 2020. We see the olive mill as a kind of olive growing center where we create our olive oil, develop new ideas and products, but at the same time, it also serves as home to various tasting and educational programs that have further enriched the experience of our visitors.

Tasting extra virgin olive oil

Why is this experience so special? Well, we believe that this experience is more than just a tasting; we strive to animate, educate, and create an emotional connection for all our guests with Istria – a region proud of its olive growing heritage. Tastings take place at multiple locations, starting from the olive groves, passing through the processing plant where we explain olive oil processing and storage, then comes education on tasting and pairing oils, and ends with flavor pairing. This experience is not just an opportunity for learning but also for sharing, where each drop of our oil tells a story of Istria.

Recognition as an incentive for the future of olive tourism in Istria

The “Best Oil Hospitality 2024” award is not just our success but the success of all of you who have been with us. This recognition is a reminder of how much we have achieved together. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new and to share our passion for olive oil in even more meaningful ways.

Our story would not be possible without you – our loyal customers, valuable partners, supportive families, and friends. Your support, belief in our values, and collaborative work are key to everything we do. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of our adventure.