Sicilian olives and olive oil have long been at the heart of Sicily’s agricultural tradition, with some olive groves tracing their roots back to ancient times. The warm Mediterranean climate, combined with the mineral-rich volcanic soil, creates ideal conditions for cultivating olives that produce some of the finest extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) in the world. With harvests typically taking place between late October and early November, autumn is an especially vibrant time to visit Sicily and experience the age-old tradition of olive picking and oil production.
Sicilian Olives
Sicily’s olives are as diverse as the landscapes they come from, with a unique range of cultivars that contribute to some of the world’s most distinctive olive oils. Among the standout varieties are Nocellara del Belice, Biancolilla, and Carolea, each offering a different flavour profile that reflects Sicily’s rich agricultural heritage.
Nocellara del Belice is one of the island’s most renowned olives, particularly from the Valle del Belice region in southwestern Sicily. This variety that has been grown in the region for over 2,700 years. It’s a dual-purpose olive, used both for table consumption and high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
This variety is known for its bright green hue and mild, buttery flavour, with subtle hints of herbs and grass. The olive’s firm texture makes it a favourite for snacking, while the oil it produces is praised for its balance of fruitiness, bitterness, and a slight peppery finish. Nocellara del Belice is protected by a DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) status, ensuring that the olives are cultivated and processed in a traditional manner to maintain their quality and authenticity.
Biancolilla is another staple of Sicilian olive oil, celebrated for its delicate and elegant profile. This olive produces a light, slightly fruity oil with hints of almond and a fresh grassy aroma. It’s often blended with other cultivars to add complexity and nuance, making it a favourite for cooking and finishing dishes. Biancolilla trees are particularly hardy, thriving in the challenging Sicilian climate, and their olives are typically harvested early to capture their vibrant flavour.
Meanwhile, Carolea is appreciated for its versatility and is often found in both olive oil production and as a table olive. Carolea’s oil is smooth and balanced, with a mild flavour that combines fruity notes with hints of almonds and herbs. It’s well-regarded for its moderate bitterness and subtle spiciness, making it a great addition to salads, dressings, and light dishes. This cultivar’s adaptability and resistance to different climates have made it a popular choice in Sicily, contributing to the island’s reputation for producing a diverse array of high-quality olive oils.
Finally, Cerasuola contributes to Sicily’s diverse olive scene with its robust and fruity character. This variety is noted for its rich oil that has a deeper green colour, offering a more pronounced bitterness and spiciness compared to Biancolilla. It’s a favourite among chefs for its bold flavour, which pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, meats, and hearty Sicilian dishes. Like Nocellara del Belice, Cerasuola olives are often part of premium olive oil blends, showcasing the complexity of Sicilian extra virgin olive oil.
Sicilian Olive Harvest & Oil Production
The olive harvest in Sicily is a tradition that goes back thousands of years and is deeply rooted in the island’s agricultural culture. It starts in October and goes on into November when the olives are at their best. Sicily’s unique combination of Mediterranean climate, mineral rich soil and ancient olive trees makes the perfect conditions to produce high quality olives. Many local farmers still harvest by hand to get the best flavour and preserve the island’s agricultural heritage.
The harvest often starts early in the morning, with workers laying out large nets under the trees. With poles they gently tap the branches and the ripe olives fall onto the nets which are then gathered up and taken to the local presses, called frantoio. There the olives are quickly turned into extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and capture the robust and fresh flavours of the region. This process, often passed down through generations, helps to preserve the oil which is known for its low acidity and high levels of antioxidants – the key to quality. The freshly pressed oil is vibrant green, bursting with grassy and fruity notes, and it’s only after resting that the oil achieves the golden hue we associate with high-quality EVOO.
In some farms night harvesting under the moonlight has become popular, so the farmers can pick the olives at cooler temperatures and retain the flavour.
Olive Farms & Producers
Sicily is home to some of the most renowned olive oil producers, who combine tradition with innovation. Producers like Titone and Frantoi Cutrera are internationally acclaimed for their commitment to quality.
Based near Trapani, Titone is known for their organic farming methods, which respect the land and produce award winning oils with deep flavours. Their organic practice means the extra virgin olive oils are both eco friendly and full of earthy flavour. Frantoi Cutrera in the south of Sicily has been producing olive oil for generations. They use the prized Nocellara del Belice olives and their oils are well balanced with fruity notes and a subtle peppery finish – a sign of a good Sicilian EVOO.
In the Valle del Belice the Asaro Family Farm is known for their Nocellara del Belice olive oils. They blend traditional hand picking with modern practices to respect the land’s history while meeting modern environmental standards. Centonze near Castelvetrano combines old and new by using ancient agricultural methods with night harvesting to produce top quality oils.
Many of these farms and estates open their doors to visitors, offering guided tours, tastings, and cooking classes.
Guided Tours, Tastings & Cooking Classes
Olive oil tasting in Sicily’s renowned olive farms is a culinary journey that immerses you in the island’s rich heritage. The regions of Valle del Belice, Valli Trapanesi, and Monti Iblei are among the most famous for producing exceptional extra virgin olive oils (EVOO). Visitors can take part in guided tastings where experts explain the nuances of the oil’s flavours, from its peppery notes to its grassy undertones. Many tastings are held on historic estates, surrounded by ancient olive groves, where you can savour freshly pressed oils alongside traditional Sicilian dishes, enhancing the experience with local food pairings.
For example, you can visit Amodeo’s Farm, an olive oil producer in the Agrigento region, offering guided tours, tastings, and an authentic Sicilian lunch. For more information, click here.
In Agrigento, you can immerse yourself in authentic Sicilian culture with a cooking class followed by a farmhouse lunch. The tour includes a special Extra Virgin Olive Oil tasting with Giuseppe. Find out more here.
In the Marsala region, known worldwide for its famous wine, small family farms also produce exceptional olive oil and sheep cheese. You can visit these farms and explore the scenic olive groves of Cerasuola, Nocellara, and Biancolilla, the three cultivars behind the prized PDO olive oil Valli Trapanesi. Find out more here.
Olives and Luxury Villas in Sicily
At Sicily4U, we understand that an unforgettable autumn holiday in Sicily isn’t just about the scenery but also about experiencing these age-old traditions. Our handpicked villas in these renowned olive-growing regions offer both luxury and comfort, making them the perfect base for exploring local olive farms.
After a day of tasting robust oils and soaking in the golden hues of the countryside, you can return to your villa to relax by the pool or enjoy a private meal on your terrace. Staying with us means you get to savour the essence of Sicily, from its olive oil to its breathtaking landscapes, all while indulging in the comforts of your own private retreat.
Valle del Belice, a fertile area known for its outstanding olive oil production, lies across the provinces of Agrigento, Palermo, and Trapani. The region’s rich soil and Mediterranean climate make it ideal for growing the famous Nocellara del Belice olives. At Sicily4U, we offer luxury villas in these beautiful provinces, providing the perfect base to explore this unique landscape and savour its incredible culinary offerings.
The Val di Mazara region, situated in the provinces of Palermo and Agrigento, is renowned for its exceptional olive oil production. The area is known for cultivating sicilian olives that yield oils with delicate yet complex flavours, often featuring hints of herbs and fresh almonds.
Book a villa in the Agrigento, Palermo, or Trapani area.
Valli Trapanesi, located in the provinces of Trapani, is renowned for producing some of Sicily’s finest extra virgin olive oil, thanks to its fertile lands and centuries-old olive-growing traditions. Known for olive varieties like Nocellara del Belice, Cerasuola, and Biancolilla, this area produces oils with unique, complex flavours celebrated worldwide. At Sicily4U, we offer a selection of luxury villas in the Trapani area, providing you with the perfect base to explore this beautiful area and experience the local olive oil culture in comfort and style.
The Mount Etna region, located in the provinces of Catania and Messina, is renowned for its fertile volcanic soil, which produces exceptional olives and high-quality extra virgin olive oil. This unique environment gives the oil a distinctive, robust flavour, enriched by the mineral-rich land.
Book a villa in the Catania or Messina area.
Sicily4U: Villas in Sicily’s Best Regions
An autumn stay with Sicily4U combines the island’s culinary treasures with a relaxing retreat, letting you enjoy an authentic Sicilian experience like no other.
At Sicily4U, we specialise in offering luxurious villa rentals that allow you to experience the magic of Sicily in the most authentic and comfortable way possible. Our handpicked villas are situated across the island’s most captivating regions, from the olive-rich Valle del Belice to the scenic Valli Trapanesi.
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the olive oil harvest or explore the cultural heart of Sicily, our villas serve as the perfect base. Enjoy the crisp autumn air from your private terrace, indulge in the rich flavours of Sicilian cuisine, or take a short drive to local olive farms for tastings and culinary adventures.
With Sicily4U, every stay is a blend of luxury, comfort, and the extraordinary experiences that make Sicily unforgettable.
