What is olive oil tourism?

Olive oil tourism is much more than a simple tasting: it is a true journey to the roots of our Mediterranean culture. It means slowing down, walking among secular trees, breathing in the scent of the earth, and understanding the dedication hidden behind every single drop of oil. It is an experience that engages all the senses, where history, nature, and taste meet. It is not a rushed tourism, but an invitation to tune in with the seasons. Extra virgin olive oil is the foundation of the Mediterranean diet, yet we often consume it without knowing it deeply. Olive oil tourism has a strongly educational vocation and the ambitious goal of building olive oil culture to hand over to you, through this journey, the "vocabulary" of oil.
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The Santacatrini Olive Oil Tour: Discovering Sicilian Excellence

How much do you really know about extra virgin olive oil? With our exclusive Olive Oil Tour, you will definitely learn more! This immersive experiential package is designed for those who want to truly know and deepen their understanding of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Santacatrini, a historic olive-growing estate located in Melilli, Syracuse, is the perfect place to start this journey.
The journey begins: history and nature
Your journey into the world of olive oil begins with a relaxing and educational walk through our secular olive groves, silent witnesses of history, unique for their peculiar shapes molded by time. You will familiarize yourself with the concepts of cultivar and terroir, discovering what lies behind olive cultivation and the fundamental agricultural practices.
You will continue this journey discovering our heritage by visiting the ancient, over a century-old olive press inside the Masseria. Here, we will reveal the secrets of extra virgin olive oil production in antiquity and the fascinating mechanics of this historic machinery.
We will move to our modern mill where, through a wise use of technology and knowledge, oil is extracted today, preserving its chemical and organoleptic characteristics to obtain a product of excellence. You will understand the crucial differences between ancient and modern methods and learn how we guarantee the quality of our Monti Iblei PDO EVOO.
The Grand Finale of the Tasting: Sensory Mastery
The Tour culminates in a comprehensive guided tasting session (Technical Tasting). You will learn the secrets to recognizing a high-quality extra virgin olive oil, identifying its virtues and defects through your senses. You will discover why terms like Bitter and Spicy, often misunderstood, are actually the signature of the absolute freshness and beneficial richness of the Oil.
We will guide you in recognizing the Fruity notes, learning to appreciate the hints of green tomato, freshly cut grass, and almond typical of our organic cultivars.
This educational experience from Field to Bottle will provide you with the tools to always choose true, high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

How to book?

Are you ready to live this unique experience among history, nature, and Mediterranean culture?
Contact us to organize your visit to Masseria Santacatrini, or book your tour directly in our online shop.
​If you'd prefer to stay with us, simply add our Olive Oil Tour during the booking process.
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