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The olive tree was a holy plant for the ancient Etruscans: in time it has come to represent the life and extraordinary landscape of the Tuscan countryside.
The characteristics
Extra virgin olive oil is obtained by mechanically pressing the cold olives. Varieties of olives are: leccino, frantoio, moraiolo, pendolino, maurino and a few autochthonous varieties.
Olive oil is green, and may have, with time, yellow highlights. It tastes of mature green olives, and has an added touch of almond, artichoke and herb flavour, as well as the obvious hint of tart and spice (pizzichino).
 Bottles of Mugello extra virgin olive oil
The history
In Tuscany, the organized production of olive trees for personal consumption and trade dates back to the second half of the 7th century BC.
In fact, when the relic of the ship the Giglio, 600 BC, was recovered it contained Etruscan vases full of preserved olives.
The olive tree was a sacred plant for the Etruscans, so much so that the priestesses paraded with olive branches during the processions. Bitter olives were “sweetened” with various means, from pickling to bathing the olives in water with dry fennel and lentiscus fruit. Olive oil was exported throughout the Tyrrhenian, like wine.
During Medieval times there was a significant increase in olive-growing in Tuscany, especially in the areas of Florence and Siena, thanks to urban land-owners and the share-cropping system. Even rough lands could, therefore, be terraced and put to good use.
In the first half of the 15th century olives were grown intensely in the area around Lucca, and olive groves could be found in the hills near Pisa. Through the years the Tuscan countryside has become agricultural, covered in olive trees alone, or vines and olive trees.
Vast woodlands were, therefore, turned over to the production of wine and olives, thus favouring the exaltation of the extraordinary Tuscan countryside.
In Mugello the colder, more humid climate has not permitted the extensive growth of olive trees, especially at the bottom of the valleys where the frost damages the plants. However, in the past 15 years, based on statistics, the production of olive oil has been rising constantly and is now present throughout the Mugello territory, and, as tests by the chamber of commerce prove, the quality is first-rate.
There are over 100,00 olive trees for the production of olive oil in Mugello today, as well as numerous plants grown for personal use or by plant lovers, and cannot be classified with those for production.
Compared to other areas in Florence, the production is still limited, but it denotes a capacity to grow in quantity and quality.
The production of olive oil in Mugello comes under the Colline Fiorentine IGP.
Where and how it is produced
Olive oil is produced everywhere in Mugello except in Upper Mugello on slopes that go from 300 – 500 m.a.s.l. The olives, which are hand-picked, are moved within 24 hours to the oil-mill where they are cold pressed mechanically (under 28° C). The oil thus produced is then transported to the aziendas and bottled.
| AZIENDA AGRICOLA IL CHIUSO | Town: Vicchio Phone: + 39 055 844646 | Production and sale of peaches and oil, firewood. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA LA MATTERAIA | Town: Vicchio Phone: + 39 055 844688 Fax: +39 055 844688 | Production and sale of apples, extra virgin olive oil, "Rebo" wine, moscato wine and Muller Thurgau.
Cosimo I Wine - This red wine is made from 100% Rebo vine (a blend of Merlot and Teroldego) which is grown primarily in the province of Trento and in the area surrounding Lake Garda. The vines have adapted well to the climate and characteristics of the Mugello territory. Fermentation in fibreglass tank, it is ages 18 months in inox tanks and 4 months in the bottles. It is put on the market 2 years after harvest.
Mediceo Wine - Thi red wine is made from the 100% Rebo vine (a bled of Merlot and Teroldego), fermentation in fibreglass tank, ageing process: 10-12 months in barrique and 6 months in the bottles. This red wine is put on the market one year after the grape harvest.
oak and chestnut barrels
Moscato Wine - This wine i made from 100€ yellow Moscato grapes, fermentation in fibreglass, ageing process: 6 months in inox tanks. It is put on the market one year after the grape harvest.
Pigola Wine – This white wine is made from 100% Muller Thurgau vines, fermentation in fibreglass, ageing process: 6 months in inox tanks. It'is put on the market one year after the grape harvest.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA PODERE TERZALLA | Town: Barberino di Mugello Phone: + 39 055 841096 - 339 7557111 Fax: + 39 055 841096 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA BIOLOGICA IL POGGIO ALLE VILLE | Town: Borgo San Lorenzo Phone: +39 055 8408752 - 335 8239017 Fax: +39 055 599828 | Production and sale of organic products: extra-virgin olive oil processed by cold oil-press, millefiori, chestnut and acacia honey, jam, vegetables and truffles from the owner’s own truffle-ground. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA CASA DEGLI ULIVI | Town: Barberino dil Mugello Phone: +39 0558420302 - 333 3611792 - 335 7371891 Fax: + 39 055 8420302 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA CASANUOVA DEGLI OLEANDRI | Town: Barberino di Mugello Phone: + 39 055 8420670 – 333 3444856 Fax: + 39 055 8420670 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil and peaches. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA CORZANO | Town: Barberino di Mugello Phone: +39 055841403 - 338 7012567 Fax: +39 055841403 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil as well as the purest saffron from the surrounding Florentine hills. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA FATTORIA I RICCI | Town: Vicchio Phone: +39 055 844784 - 347 7920638 Fax: +39 055 844259 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA FATTORIA IL LAGO | Town: Dicomano Phone: + 39 055 838047 Fax: + 39 055 838047 | Production and sale of Chianti Rufina Docg wine, Igt wines, VinSanto and extra vergin olive oil. Tasting of farm products by reservation.
Chianti Rufina Docg wine – This red wine is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. The maceration process takes place in stainless steel vats and is periodically amalgamated so as to obtain a higher quality of colour and aroma extraction. During this period that lasts 20 days the wine terminates its alcoholic fermentation at a temperature of 28°. Red ruby colour with shades of purple, 13% Vol.
Grappa Monovitigno - Grappa of the residue of Chianti. The fermented residue of the first pressing is transferred in a distillery straight after the emptying of the barrels and their relative pressing. The continuous distillation is then carried out by direct steam with the re-distillation of the alcoholic phlegm. Once the "Grappa" has been obtained, it is then placed in stainless steel vats for refining for a period of approximately 6 months. Ageing process: 18 months in oak barrels. It has a crystal aspect.
Malvasia Bianca wine – White wine made from 100% Malvasia grapes. The maceration takes place in stainless steel vats at a temperature of 10°. In February the wine is bottled, 13% Vol. Yellow color, 13% Vol.
Pian de' Guardi wine – IGT Toscana - This red wine is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. The maceration takes place in stainless steel vats and is periodically amalgamated so as to obtain the best colour and aroma. During this period that lasts 25 days the wine terminates its alcoholic fermentation at 28°. The wine is then transferred into new French oak barriques (Allier and Troncaise) for approximately twelve months. This is where the malo-lactic fermentation terminates. Red ruby colour with garnet shades with a good coloured and concentrated intensity, 14,5% Vol.
Pinot Nero wine – IGT Toscana – The red wine is made from 100% Pinot Nero. The grapes harvested by hand, from 75% are destemmed and pressed gently using a very delicate technique. The wine is subsequently placed in small French "barriques" for a duration of 12 months. Red ruby colour, 13% Vol.
Chianti Rufina Docg Riserva wine - This red wine is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. The maceration process takes place in stainless-steel vats and is then periodically amalgamated so as to obtain a higher extraction of the colour and of scent. During this period that lasts about 20 days the wine terminates its alcoholic fermentation at a temperature of approximatetely 28°. The wine is subsequently in part placed in new French "barriques" (Allier and Troncasse) and the other part is placed in second-hand used "barriques" for a duration of eighteen months. Red ruby colour, 14,5% Vol.
Rosé Igt Toscana wine - Rosé IGT Toscana – This tenuous rose colour wine is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. The maceration takes place in stainless steel tanks and at a controlled temperature of 10°C in order to maintain and not alter the delicate, typical fragrances of this wine. In February the wine is bottled, 13% Vol.
Syrah wine - IGT Toscana - This red wine is made from 100% Syrah grapes harvested by hand at the end of September, destemmed and pressed gently using a very delicate technique. The maceration process takes place in stainless steel vats (15/20 days). The wine is subsequently placed in new French "barriques" for a duration of 12 months. After 10 months the wine is bottled. Red ruby colour with violet reflection, 12,5% Vol.
Chianti Rufina D.o.c. Vinsanto – This Vinsanto is made from mostly Malvasia with a small percentage of Trebbiano. The grapes are placed in small wooden crates and are then placed on characteristic straw mats in a special room for the drying process where they remain until December when the pressing stage takes place. The "mosto" obtained is then placed into typical casks for about three years where a long and slow fermentation takes place. Dark yellow with amber coloured reflections. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA FRASCOLE | Town: Dicomano Phone: +39 055 8386340 - 339 3050554 Fax: +39 055 8386340 | Production and direct sale of organic production: extra virgin olive oil and Bitornino wine, Chianti Rufina "Frascole" Docg, Chianti Rufina "Riserva Frascole" Docg, Venia wine, Vinsanto Chianti Rufina Docg "Frascole".
Bitornino wine - wine made from vines grown using organic farming methods - This red wine is made from 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino, 5% White Trebbiano and White Malvasia
Vinification in cellar's inox containers where takes place the alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures (not more than 28° - 30°). The liquid and the skins are in contact for about 10-15 days then they are divided and the wine is transfered into concrete containers where the malolactic fermentation takes place. In February the wine is bottled, 12,5-13,5% vol.
Chianti Rufina "Frascole" Docg wine - wine made from vines grown using organic farming methods - This red wine is made from 90 % Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino.
Vinification in the cellar's inox containers where takes place the alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures (not more than 28° - 30°). The wine is transfered half into the concrete containers and half into the barriques where the malolactic fermentation takes place. In February the wine is bottled, 13-14,5% vol.
Chianti Rufina "Riserva Frascole" Docg wine - wine made from vines grown using organic farming methods - This red wine is made from 95 % Sangiovese and 5 % Colorino. Vinification in the cellar's woody containers. During the alcoholic fermentation we manually press the skins. The liquid and the skins are in contact about 18 days then they are divided and the wine is transfered into the barriques where the malolactic fermentation takes place. The wine lies in the barriques about a year. In February the wine is bottled, 13-14,5% vol.
Venia wine - IGT Toscana - wine made from vines grown using organic farming methods - This red wine is made from 50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot. Vinification in containers where takes place the fermentation. The liquid part and the skins are in contact about 10 days, then they are divided. After the fermentation the wine is transferred into the barriques where the malolactic fermentation takes place. The wine lies in the barriques for 10 - 14 months; In February, the wine is bottled, 13 -14 % vol.
Vinsanto Chianti Rufina Doc "Frascole" - wine made from vines grown using organic farming methods – the vinsanto is made from di Trebbiano e Malvasia Bianca vines. The grapes are carried to a special drying room and they are hanged on vertical nets in order to dry them. The room has got big windows and it is situated in a dry and windy place. The grapes are dried until the first days of March. During the first week of March we press the grapes whit a traditional wine-press. Vinsanto refines in the barrels more than 9 years, then bottled, 13,5 -14,5 % vol.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA IL PALAZZACCIO | Town: Barberino di Mugello Phone: 055 8428110 - 338 6992988 Fax: 055 8428110 | Production and sale of honey derived from acacia, flower essences, and chestnut, Tuscan IGP extra vergin olive oil, black and white truffles. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA LA STAZIONE DI MONTA | Town: Vicchio Phone: +39 055 8497007 - 347 8319819 Fax: +39 055 8497007 | Production and sale of IGP marroni, marroni flour, potatoes "kennebec" and "desiree", vegetables and extravergin olive oil. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA ORTICAIA CHIESA | Town: Dicomano Phone: + 39 055 8385141 – 339 5276488 Fax: + 39 055 8385922 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil, red table wine, IGP marroni, the produces of the wood and jam of currant, raspberry and blackberry. Tasting of farm products by reservation.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA TREBBIO & CO. | Town: San Piero a Sieve Phone: + 39 055 6121217 Fax: +39 055 8498470 | Production and sale of extravirgin olive oil. | | | | Coop.va di consumo POLCANTO | Town: Borgo San Lorenzo Phone: +39 055 8409914 Fax: +39 055 8409914 | Sale of local rosato, red and white local wine, bottled and wine on tap, bread, marrone flour, Mugello truffles, fresh pasta, local tortelli, cheeses and honey. | | | | COOPERATIVA AGRICOLA IL FORTETO | Town: Vicchio Phone: + 39 055 8448183 - 055 8448745 (punto vendita) Fax: + 39 055 8387589 |
Production and sale of Tuscan DOP pecorino cheese, mozzarella, raveggiolo, burrata (mozzarella filled with creamy butter), ricotta, apples, Chianina meat, wood oven baked bread, biscuits and other baked goods. Sale of locally produced jam, honey, "Castana" beer (produced by chestnut flour) and brown beer (produced by barley malt and organic spelt), wine and extra-virgin olive oil.
Sweet specialties: bruttiboni, cantucci, biscuits, mantovana, plumcake,cakes, ice-cream cake and ice cream; in Summer: zuccotto, Arezzo gatò, ciambellone, panettone e colomba.
Production and sale of Tuscan DOP pecorino cheese, mozzarella, raveggiolo, burrata (mozzarella filled with creamy butter), ricotta, apples, Chianina meat, wood oven baked bread, biscuits and other baked goods. Sale of locally produced jam, honey, beer "Castana"(produced by chestnut flour) and brown beer (produced by barley malt and organic spelt), wine and extra-virgin olive oil. | | | | FATTORIA CORTE MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI | Town: Borgo San Lorenzo Phone: +39 055 8408802 Fax: +39 055 8408500 | Sale of farmer’s own cold meats, salami, wine and oil. | | | | VIVAIO IL MONTE di Dinelli Monica | Town: Borgo San Lorenzo Phone: + 39 055 8401778 - 328 4567872 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil, ornamental and vegetable garden plants and fruit trees.
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