Today, olive growing is a very important activity in the Goriška Brda region, visibly shaping the landscape of Brda alongside viticulture and fruit-growing. The favourable climate and geographical location, as well as modern oil production practices, weave a success story of the revival of this activity, which suffered a severe blow at the beginning of the 20th century as a result of a prolonged frost. Today, the Goriška Brda region is renowned for its high quality olive oils, which are appreciated both in Slovenia and at international competitions from London, Tokyo to New York, where they are among the winners of gold medals.
The terraced landscape of Brda is dotted with more than 40,000 planted trees, and among the most prominent varieties are the “briška drobnica”, “črnica”, “leccino”, “belica” and others. The olive growers of Brda often use organic approaches in the production and processing of olive oil. The olives are hand-picked and cold-pressed immediately after harvesting to ensure that all the flavours and nutrients are preserved.
The rich golden-green colour, the fresh and intense flavour, the aromatic notes of herbs and fruit, and the slight spiciness are some of the fundamental characteristics of this exceptional product from Brda, which perfectly complements the flavours of the local cuisine and conjures up unique culinary experiences, whether of a more traditional or sophisticated nature.
Olive-growing is therefore an important part of local culture and identity in Brda.
