At the end of 1921, paying homage to the treasures of the lake, poet Gabriele D’Annunzio wrote:
“Olive trees of Lake Garda, so like humans! Thin and slender, their trunks divided, so light, all breath and attention, airy and ingenious, they are scarcely greater in height than a man.”
In Garda Trentino, more than 500 hectares of land are dedicated to olive cultivation. With over 100,000 olive trees, this is the northernmost area in Europe where traditional extra virgin olive oil is still produced. Thanks to a unique microclimate, the olives are pressed following an ancient artisanal tradition that results in top-quality oil.
Award-winning and internationally recognised, Garda Trentino olive oil is a true local treasure: a staple of the Mediterranean diet, packed with benefits for skin, bones and heart.
This love story between olives and the lake is celebrated every autumn during Frantoi Aperti—when the oil mills open their doors to the public. This regional initiative, created by local producers, invites both visitors and residents to rediscover the art and passion behind the making of Garda Trentino’s “green gold.”
Frantoi Aperti is your chance to walk among ancient olive groves, peek into harvest baskets, breathe in the fresh lake air and taste different oils paired with local specialities. Surprising flavours—both new and traditional—await.
Love for olive trees is the seed of this event. Its goal? To create a virtuous network of producers, chefs and hospitality experts—each becoming a proud ambassador for this extraordinary product of Garda Trentino.
This article was published in the 2023 edition of BLU, the Garda Trentino magazine. If you love authentic flavours and want to dive deeper into Trentino’s traditions and local products, don’t miss the events of “Mese del Gusto”. What is it? A food festival that takes place every year from late September to mid-November, celebrating the local taste of Garda Trentino.
