Extra virgin olive oil is the highest category of olive oil and the only one obtained exclusively through the mechanical processing of fresh olives, without chemical treatment or refining.
For an oil to carry this designation, it must meet strict chemical and sensory criteria. Free fatty acids must be below 0.8%, and the peroxide value below 20 meq O₂/kg of oil.
Unlike refined oils, extra virgin olive oil preserves natural polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins, and aromatic compounds that determine its taste, aroma, and nutritional value.
Chiavalon olive oils regularly receive the highest scores in the world’s leading olive oil competitions and guides.
Polyphenols are natural antioxidants present in extra virgin olive oil and one of the most important indicators of its quality.
A high level of polyphenols is associated with strong antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects, as well as support for cardiovascular health. It is precisely because of them that top quality olive oil has its characteristic bitterness and pungency, which can be felt on the tongue and in the throat.
Chiavalon oils are particularly rich in polyphenols because we harvest our olives early, at the moment when these compounds are at their peak.
On our estate, we cultivate six indigenous Istrian olive varieties: Buža, Bianchera (Istarska bjelica), Carbonazza (Crnica), Moražola, Rožinjola, and Žižolera.
Each of these varieties has its own aromatic profile. By combining them, we create balanced blends that result in complex oils of distinctive character.
The result is our well known blends: Ex Albis, Organic, Atilio, Romano, Istra, and Mlado.
By cultivating indigenous varieties, we do not only preserve the biological and cultural heritage of Istria — we also ensure a unique flavor identity that industrial olive oil simply cannot replicate.
Istria has exceptionally favorable conditions for olive growing. Together with Lake Garda, it is one of the northernmost olive growing regions in the world.
The specific combination of Istria’s red mineral rich soil, Mediterranean climate, and indigenous varieties produces olive oils of remarkable freshness, aromatic intensity, and complexity.
Thanks to these conditions, Istrian oils are regularly ranked among the best in the world, and many international experts and guides today describe Istria as one of the world’s premium destinations for olive oil.
Chiavalon olive oils are regularly ranked among the best in the world, as confirmed by numerous international awards and leading olive oil guides. In the prestigious Flos Olei guide, our estate was rated 99/100 points and received the recognition Best Green Farm in the World, placing us among the absolute world leaders in extra virgin olive oil production.
At Premio Il Magnifico – European Extra Quality Olive Oil Award, our estate was named the best olive oil company in the world (Azienda dell’Anno), and in addition, we received the “Best Olive Oil Hospitality in Europe” award three years in a row, a recognition of the excellence of our oleotourism experience and hospitality.
Our oils also regularly win awards at the world’s leading competitions such as NYIOOC – New York International Olive Oil Competition, Olive Japan, BIOL – International Prize for Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Leone d’Oro dei Mastri Oleari, and Sol d’Oro, where thousands of samples from the world’s most important olive growing regions are evaluated each year.
These recognitions confirm what matters most to us — a constant commitment to quality, the authenticity of Istrian varieties, and the production of outstanding extra virgin olive oil.
Several signs immediately indicate quality. The harvest date is more important than the best before date — fresh oil from the current harvest is always better.
A dark glass bottle is essential protection against oxidation.
The label should state the producer and origin, not just the country of bottling. In the end, however, taste and smell say everything — quality oil smells of fresh olives, green grass, tomatoes, or almonds; it leaves a slight bitterness on the palate and a pungent sensation in the throat, which is a direct sign of the presence of polyphenols.
You can also experience all this in person at our guided olive oil tasting in Istria, where experts guide you step by step through all the sensory characteristics.
Olive oil has three enemies: light, heat, and oxygen. Store the oil in a dark glass bottle or tin, in a cool, dark place, ideally between 14 and 21°C.
The stove, windowsill, and direct sunlight are strictly forbidden — they accelerate oxidation and destroy polyphenols. The refrigerator is not ideal because it causes cloudiness and can negatively affect the aroma, although this does not harm quality.
Once opened, consume the oil within 60 to 90 days to enjoy its full freshness.
On every Chiavalon bottle you will find the harvest date — our recommendation is to consume it within 18 to 24 months from that date.
Yes, extra virgin olive oil is very suitable for cooking and frying. Thanks to its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and natural antioxidants such as polyphenols, olive oil is stable at elevated temperatures and tolerates heat well.
This means it can be used for preparing a wide range of dishes — from lightly sautéing vegetables and baking fish to frying meat or vegetables. In Mediterranean cuisine, considered one of the healthiest in the world, olive oil has traditionally been used precisely for cooking.
Still, top quality extra virgin olive oils are especially expressive when used raw — for example on salads, vegetables, fish, or pasta — because their aromatic characteristics and freshness are then at their best.
Yes, Chiavalon is a certified organic producer according to European organic farming standards. In practice, this means we do not use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or mineral fertilizers — we care for the soil and the olive grove ecosystem using natural methods that preserve biodiversity and long term fertility.
For us, organic certification is not a marketing label. It is the expression of a core belief: genuine, high quality olive oil begins with healthy soil, a healthy tree, and a healthy olive. Our olive groves are living ecosystems — not industrial plantations.
Olive oil is at the heart of everything we do, but it is not the only thing. On 185 hectares of the fertile Raša River valley, we grow organic vegetables and grains in harmony with natural rhythms and the principles of sustainable agriculture. The entire valley lies within the protected Natura 2000 area, where only organic production is permitted.
In such an environment, food is created that preserves the natural balance of the soil and the landscape. Our mission is to develop a complete family estate that gives this land back what has always belonged to it — healthy, local, and honest food.
In the Raša River valley, across a total of 185 hectares, we grow old, selected varieties of tomatoes, watermelons, artichokes, barley, wheat, spelt, and alfalfa.
Our estate is based on the philosophy of a circular economy in which we strive to make maximum use of every part of the olive and of the production process.
After olive oil filtration, natural filters made of 100% cellulose soaked in oil remain. Instead of becoming waste, through an upcycling process we transform them into a new product — a natural fire starter that allows simple, clean, and natural lighting of fireplaces, stoves, or barbecues.
After the olives are processed, most of the pomace is composted and returned to the soil as a natural fertilizer that nourishes our olive groves, thereby closing the natural cycle in our groves.
A smaller portion of fresh pomace obtained from carefully selected varieties in the early harvest stage is used as a source of bioactive compounds for the development of the Chiavalon Olive Theory cosmetic line.
We separate the pit from the pomace and use it for heating, thus obtaining local, zero kilometer energy, similar to pellets, but from the pure, natural pit of the Istrian olive.
We also use part of the olive pits for the development of new cosmetic products in progress, such as natural face and body scrubs.
Yes, Chiavalon is the national partner of the JRE (Jeunes Restaurateurs Europe) network, which brings together some of the most talented young chefs and gastronomes in Europe. We have also recently become a Slow Food farm — an international recognition that confirms our approach to sustainable, local, and traditional food culture. Both memberships say the same thing: for us, extra virgin olive oil is not just a food product, but a cultural and gastronomic heritage worth preserving and proudly sharing.
Without a doubt — an olive oil tasting at Chiavalon is one of the most popular authentic gastronomic experiences in Istria and an excellent alternative or complement to wine and truffle tastings. Our estate is located just a 10 minute drive from Pula, near the old medieval town of Vodnjan — a perfect stop when exploring the peninsula. Unlike standard tourist attractions, a visit to Chiavalon offers genuine insight into a family olive growing tradition, education about olive oil production and the Mediterranean diet, and direct contact with award winning oil. Many guests describe this visit as the highlight of their trip through Istria.
A guided olive oil tasting is a professional sensory experience in which an expert guide step by step reveals how to recognize the quality, aroma, taste, and pungency of extra virgin olive oil — similar to a wine tasting, but with a character entirely its own.
On our estate, the experience begins with a walk through the olive groves overlooking the Brijuni Islands, continues with a visit to the mill where you discover all stages of production, and culminates in a unique tasting space in the very heart of the mill.
Our experts explain how to engage all the senses — sight, smell, and taste — and what truly distinguishes top quality oil from the average bottle from a supermarket shelf. Many guests say that after this tasting, they never look at olive oil the same way again.
We offer several tasting programs:
Taste Istria – lasts 60 to 90 minutes and includes a walk through the olive grove, an educational story about the history of olive growing in Istria, a guided tasting of extra virgin olive oil, and a traditional snack with local ingredients and Malvasia wine.
Grand Tasting – lasts 120 minutes and includes everything in Taste Istria, plus a deeper tasting of four different olive oils, a sparkling welcome drink, and a sweet surprise at the end. This program is for those who want to know more about olive oil and its production.
MixOILogy – an exclusive program for up to 12 guests in which participants, after the guided tasting, prepare cocktails with olive oil and Istrian spirits.
Istrian Tapas, Wine and Olive Oil – an experience led by the renowned sommelier Karin Rupena Perdec, combining olive oil tasting with tapas dishes and Istrian wines.
No. The tastings are designed to be interesting both for beginners and for gastronomy lovers. Expert guides explain the basics of tasting in a simple and understandable way.
For guided tasting programs, we recommend booking in advance in order to secure the availability of a time slot and guide.
Reservations can be made through the form on the website https://chiavalon.business/en/tasting-experience/ or by email at [email protected].
Online booking is not possible for the same day, and requests for the following day are accepted until 6 pm at the latest.
The price of a tasting depends on the selected program and the type of experience.
Different tasting programs are available, including professional olive oil tasting, a tour of the olive grove and the mill, and in some programs also local gastronomic bites or wine.
Detailed information on programs and prices is available when booking.
The duration of the tasting depends on the program, but most often ranges from 60 to 120 minutes.
Programs include a tour of the olive grove, a visit to the mill, and a guided tasting of several top quality extra virgin olive oils.
Tastings are held in Croatian, English, German, and Italian.
Yes. Children are welcome and during the visit can learn basic information about olives, olive groves, and olive oil production.
Programs that include alcoholic beverages are intended for adult visitors only.
Yes, a free olive oil tasting is available to all visitors during opening hours without prior reservation, while guided programs need to be booked in advance via the form on the website https://chiavalon.business/en/tasting-experience/ or by writing to [email protected].
Yes, and with great pleasure. We organize customized private experiences for groups of all sizes — from intimate family celebrations to corporate team building events, incentive programs, and business delegations.
Chiavalon olive oil tasting is a particularly popular choice for companies looking for an authentic, educational, and gastronomically rich experience in the Istrian countryside. Duration, content, and gastronomic offer can all be adapted to your wishes. Send us the details at [email protected], and we will take care of the rest.
OPG Chiavalon is located in olive groves just outside Vodnjan, overlooking the Brijuni Islands, on the state road D21 that connects Pula and Rovinj. Vodnjan is about 10 km north of Pula and is easily accessible by car. The exact address, map, and directions can be found at https://chiavalon.business/en/contact-2/
Chiavalon extra virgin olive oil can be ordered via the webshop at https://chiavalon.business/en/shop/ with delivery throughout the EU. It is also available in selected specialty delicatessen shops and restaurants in Croatia and abroad. And if you are near Vodnjan, you can buy it directly in our store at the olive mill, with the possibility of tasting different blends before making your choice. It is always a special experience.
Yes. In addition to our shop on the estate and at the olive mill in Vodnjan, where visitors can taste the oils and learn about our production, Chiavalon products are also available at the Chiavalon Concept Store in Hotel Lone in Rovinj.
This is our first store outside the estate, conceived as a space where guests can discover the whole Chiavalon world — from award winning extra virgin olive oils and organic products to our Chiavalon Olive Theory cosmetic line.
Yes. We ship products to most European countries via the webshop. Delivery details and shipping costs are available when placing an order.
Yes. Our oils are often chosen as business or protocol gifts. We offer different types of gift packaging that combine premium oils and elegant design in a way that can satisfy even the most demanding tastes. We collaborate with restaurants, hotels, and delicatessen shops and adapt packages to the needs of each business client. For inquiries related to larger orders, special packaging, or B2B cooperation, write to [email protected].
