How To Catch Olives

Yes, those are nets. He’s preparing them for the olive harvest. The farmers lay these nets on the ground below the olive trees and, if done in the traditional way with their hands and might, they shake the trees and with their fingers prompt the olives to fall to the ground, catching them in the…

Getting Into the Details

The olive harvest is in full swing right now. Making olive oil is as complex as making wine, and on Day 7 of our June 2018 multi-generational tour, Ancient Italy: A Cultural Journey Through Campania and Sicily, we’ll get into the details at an organic olive farm in Castelvetrano. This Wednesday evening from 7:30 to…

Wise Guy

How old do you think this olive tree is? I don’t remember what I was told when I took this photo, but when I’m back in Castelvetrano at this orchard in a couple of weeks, I’ll find out and report back! In the meantime, what’s your guess? If you are close, I’ll send you a…

Olive You

November marks the olive harvest in Sicily, and the 38th annual Sagra dell’Ulivo (Olive Festival) in Pollina is currently underway. This weekend in the town that is not far from Cefalù on the edge of the Madonie Mountains, they are presenting cultural events including folk music, art exhibitions, and of course, olive- and olive-oil inspired…