Great Olive Grove Dining Spots in Italy

Picnicking under olive trees in Italy photo credit Tenuta degli Ulivi

Dining al fresco, surrounded by nature, and enjoying the best of summer with great food and drinks, as well as the refreshing shade of trees, is one of the highlights of any sunny day. What could be better? Indulging in such pleasures in Italy, where the vegetables’ flavors are boosted by the sun and every bite is accompanied by scrumptious bread, heavenly-scented olive oil, and delicious wines, and enjoying it all under olive trees.

While olive groves are abundantly spread throughout almost the entire country, particularly in the southern regions and the main islands, spring and summer offer the chance to stand close to the magnificent trees for picnics, aperitivos, and dinners. Here are a few addresses and ideas from North to South.

 

Liguria: where the Taggiasca trees look at the sea

Off-Road Tour among the olive trees

The thin and elongated stretch of land forming Liguria is covered with Taggiasca olive groves, producing excellent extra-virgin olive oil and exquisite olives. In Lucinasco, a lovely medieval hamlet nestled on the steep terraced hills at the back of the Riviera di Ponente, Giada Calzia and Federico Cirio took over her family's olive grove to establish a farm producing extra-virgin olive oil, brined olives, fruit jams and marmalades, and wine. In summer, they also set up a lovely pop-up wine bar, serving aperitivo and dinner at the open-air tables under the olive trees. They also offer pesto-making and cooking classes, a tour of the vineyards and olive groves followed by a tasting of the products, or an "Off-Road Tour among the olive trees" book and get on Federico's red pickup to explore the narrow countryside roads and the local olive groves. The tour ends with a picnic under the shade of the trees, sharing a mixed platter of local delicacies and Petricor’s products and wine. 

 

Lombardy: summer by the lake

Picnic at Frantoio Manestrini photo courtesy Frantoio Manestrini

In the heart of the Valtenesi area, where an old Franciscan convent used to mill the locally harvested olives in the past, a modern oil mill now stands. Egidio Manestrini and his daughter Nicoletta run the family estate, Frantoio Manestrini and farm in Soiano del Lago, a tiny village overlooking Lake Garda in the Lombardy side of the Garda Pdo extra virgin olive oil dominated by Casaliva variety. 

Also producing a range of products, including seasoning, wine, vinegar, herbal tea, and more, Frantoio Manestrini has a particular focus on extra-virgin olive oil and olive oil tourism. Besides the nice Oil Bar & Bistrot, which also hosts live music and cooking classes, summer experiences include pizza and “apericena” (where the quintessential Italia ritual of aperitivo extend to dinner) under the olive trees, or a choice of three different richly supplied baskets – Classic, Garda or Vegetarian, all including a selection of stuffed focaccia, rice or quinoa, Caprese salad, fresh fruit salad, dessert, and wine – for a picnic under the trees. On August 15th, a special Ferragosto Picnic is planned for the evening, featuring live music, sangria, and a starry sky.

 

Emilia-Romagna: picnic under the olive trees 

Picnic at Scamporella photo credit Scamporella

Romagna, the coastal side of the double Northern Italian region, is famous for its generous cuisine and great food production. It is also a land of excellent extra-virgin olive oils, where olive groves are scattered among the gentle hills, not far from the lively Riviera. Here, in the countryside near Cesena, Scamporella was born in 2014 out of an idea by Andrea Cappelletti, an "unusual picnic between the olive trees," mixing nature, fun, live music and DJ sets, drinks and delicious yet straightforward food (eventually upgraded on some dates by featuring some of the regions' Michelin starred chefs and a grill and currently collaborating with chef Alberto Faccani at Magnolia Restaurant). 

Bridging over the pandemic time, when the majestic olive trees proved to be a perfect way to respect the recommended social distancing rules, and initially hosted in the olive grove of the local farm and winery Terre Giunchi – currently running a similar format every Tuesday, called Imbrunire, literally meaning “dusk”- over the last few years Scamporella, also serving as a charming event organization, found a new, beautiful location at Collina dei Poeti in Sant’Arcangelo di Romagna. The vibes remain untouched: white balloons, checkered place mats, fluffy cushions, soft lighting, and a basket filled with local delicacies and wines. And, of course, the frantoio, moraiolo, leccino, and correggiolo olive trees.

 

Marche: an underrated Italian paradise

Del Carmine property photo credit Del Carmine

The Apennine mountains, the fertile and verdant hills, and the beautiful seashore with velvet sand: Marche has it all, including a striking art heritage yet to be fully uncovered by international tourism and an exciting food and wine landscape, also featuring a remarkable olive oil production. Del Carmine is one of the region’s top names, boasting eco-conscious and up-to-grade growing and milling techniques, as well as a well-managed hospitality offering featuring charming country-house accommodations and the Tavola del Carmine contemporary restaurant. 

From June to September, guests can also enjoy a Picnic in the olive grove (upon at least 24 hours prior reservation): supplied with a p basket packaged for outdoor lunches or snacks with fine products and carefully prepared food (and cushions, blanket, hats and sun lotion), they can browse along a selected 26-hectares area of the property, dotted with olive trees of Leccino, Frantoio, and Ascolana Tenera varieties and leading to a panoramic terrace. Here, they can find their ideal spot to enjoy the picnic and take in the view, spanning from mountains to the sea. 

 

Campania: The Charm of Cilento

Picnic at Tenuta degli Ulivi

Cilento lies in the southern part of the Campania region, in a land where buffaloes, anchovies, beans, fig trees, and olive groves (and much more) thrive. Long considered a rural and somewhat archaic area, over the past decade, it has emerged as a leader in sustainable and authentic tourism, as well as for outstanding extra-virgin olive oil. 

Maria Provenza, an expert grower and miller, has long been a pioneer in olive tourism, setting a temporary summer Bar à Huile at her Frantoio Torretta in Battipaglia. This summer, she is launching a dedicated business at Tenuta degli Ulivi 1216, a beautiful estate located in Montecorvino Rovella, not far from the oil mill. A renovated farmstead dating back to the XIII century, surrounded by dry stone walls and century-old olive trees, hosts comfortable rooms, the charming San Luca chapel where peasants used to thank God for the harvest, and a space under the arbor for lunches and small events. 

Visitors can book a whole one-day experience: from the visit of the ancient estate to the producing facility and olive oil tasting, followed by a multi-sensorial experience and the renovated Bar à Huile with an oil-based drink, and by a relaxing picnic under the olive trees, with a basket filled with local cheese and cold cuts, mozzarella di bufala, focaccia, fresh fruit, typical cakes and local wine, thanks to the collaboration with local producers. And, of course, with the house olive oil.

 

Calabria: a starred picnic

Olive groves photo credit Azienda Agricola Ceraudo

Set at the tip of the Italian boot, Calabria is the second-largest olive oil-producing region in Italy, matching pristine and luxuriant nature with a crystal-clear sea and a remarkable artistic and historical heritage. The region also boasts a rich culinary scene featuring many young and talented chefs. Caterina Ceraudo, running the Michelin-star restaurant Dattilo at the eponymous family estate, Azienda Agricola Ceraudo is one of them. Founded by her father, Roberto, with a focus on organically grown grapes and olives, Tenuta Dattilo has become a jewel of refined country hospitality, welcoming guests in the lovely rural hamlet that hosts the restaurant and the charming rooms. 

Besides Ceraudo’s gourmet takes on local produce and tradition at Dattilo, guests can also enjoy tasty snacks by the pool, at the tables flaned by a thousand-year-old olive tree, or a drink on the brand-new belvedere, surrounded by even more olive trees. Among the many experiences proposed, there is also the picnic: collect a basket filled with fresh wine and the chef's proposals, and find the perfect spot to enjoy them. A tip: The 37-hectare olive grove, where Carolea and Tonda di Stongoli trees grow is one of the most beautiful we have ever visited. 

 

Apulia: luxury olive groves

Chef Fulvio Pierangelini photo credit Masseria Torre Maizza

Borgo degli Ulivi (the olive trees village) is the name of the latest addition at Masseria Torre Maizza, the Rocco Forte Group luxury property in Valle d’Itria, at a short drive from the beautiful Apulian sea of Savelletri. Set in an enchanting 16th century masseria (large farm) framed by secular olive groves and completely refurbished before the launch in 2019, Torre Maizza – which, in 2024, hosted several events led by the Oscar-awarded actress Helen Mirren to support her Save The Olives association, dedicated to rescuing the olive groves attacked by Xylella Fastidiosa in Apulia and the Mediterranean – thus expands its accommodation offering with eleven new rooms and suites, each equipped with private garden and swimming pool and surrounded by olive trees. 

Renowned chef Fulvio Pierangelini who oversees the Rocco Forte Group food offerings in Italy, abundantly draws from the orchard marked by the olive trees for the Carosello restaurant menu. At sunset, guests can also opt for a romantic candlelit picnic under the olive trees in a secluded corner of the garden.

 

Sardinia: A Magical Backcountry

Picnicking at Cascioni Eco Retreat photo credit Cascioni

Most people know Sardinia for its enchanted seashores, yet the island's countryside is no less beautiful. In the northern area of Gallura, just a short distance from the sparkling Costa Smeralda, the Cascioni Eco Retreat reinterprets a traditional stazzu (country house) with contemporary design, bringing to life the beautiful suites furnished with natural materials and objects inspired by local heritage. Here, luxury is deeply rooted in Sardinian rural tradition, starting in the kitchen: Cascioni also features a farm spanning eighteen hectares, where 3,000 olive trees, alongside vines, fruit trees, vegetables, and aromatic herbs, are cultivated. 

Recently, the renowned Sardinian chef Salvatore Camedda, who draws inspiration from ingredients and traditions from every corner of Sardinia, starting from his hometown of Cabras, has run the Ulìa restaurant, situated among olive trees. Also available for external guests, Cascioni Eco Retreat offers several olive-focused experiences: from taking part in the olive picking and visiting the mill in season to the "basket of wonders" picnic under the olive trees' shade and a gourmet four courses candlelit dinner in the olive grove with wine pairing and a dedicated waiting service.