A journey on the Apulian oil trail should begin with a visit to Extravergine Savoia - Azienda Agricola Savoia near Fasano. This family-run farm with a long tradition offers a comprehensive experience for oil lovers, combining education with the pleasure of tasting. During organized tours of the olive groves, some hundreds of years old, a guide introduces guests to the secrets of growing olive trees in the region. Particularly interesting is the section on harvesting methods - from traditional to modern. The highlight of the visit is, of course, a tasting of the different types of oil produced on site, during which you can learn to recognize the subtle differences in flavor, aroma and intensity. The Savoia farm is famous for producing oil with an exceptionally balanced flavor profile - mild, with a gentle bitterness and a tangy finish, ideal for both salads and more complex dishes.

Nearby, in the charming town of Alberobello famous for its distinctive trulli houses, is Oleificio Salamida. This oil mill combines traditional production methods with modern technology to produce oils of exceptional quality. Salamida specializes in single-varietal oils, made from local olive varieties such as Coratina, Ogliarola and Cima di Mola. During your visit, you can observe the entire process of oil production - from receiving the olives, to milling them, to extracting the precious liquid. A tasting led by experts allows you to discover how different olive varieties affect the final flavor profile of the oil. Oil from the Coratina variety, the mill's flagship product, is characterized by an intense, tangy flavor with distinct notes of green fruits and freshly cut grass.

Moving toward Martina Franca, it's worth stopping at L'Acropoli di Puglia. This oil mill stands out not only for the quality of the oil produced, but also for its commitment to consumer education. The tastings offered here are workshops - guests learn the correct technique for tasting oil, learn the criteria for evaluating its quality, and learn how to identify the highest quality oils. The owners place great emphasis on the health aspect of olive oil, presenting the latest scientific research on its beneficial effects on the human body. L'Acropoli di Puglia produces olive oil using the cold-press method, which preserves maximum nutritional value and antioxidants. Their flagship oil, made from the Ogliarola variety, has a delicate, fruity flavor with subtle notes of almonds and fresh herbs.

Agricola Pietrasanta in Carovigno is a farm that stands out for its organic approach. All products, including the olive oil, are certified for organic farming. The farm is located in a picturesque area, not far from the Torre Guaceto nature reserve, which adds to the appeal of the visit. During the tasting, you can taste not only different types of oil, but also other local specialties, such as fiaschetto tomato passata and marinated vegetables. The oil produced by Agricola Pietrasanta is characterized by exceptional purity of taste - it is delicate, with distinct notes of fresh fruits and herbs, without excessive bitterness. The farm also offers the possibility to adopt an olive tree - an interesting initiative that allows you to receive oil from 'your own' tree all year round.

Cipa Oil Mill, located near Ostuni, known as the 'White City,' is where tradition meets modernity. The family that runs the oil mill boasts generations of experience in oil production, dating back to the early 20th century. During your visit, you can see both the historic tools used in the past to produce oil, as well as modern production lines. Cipa specializes in oil from the Ogliarola Salentina variety, a characteristic of the region. Their flagship product is a medium-bodied oil with distinct notes of green fruits, freshly cut grass and a delicate almond accent in the finish. The tasting is conducted in a cozy room overlooking the olive groves, further enriching the experience.

Following the Apulian olive oil trail, it's worth heading south of the region to the village of Supersano, where AGROSI' AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA E BIODIVERSA is located. This farm stands out from others for its unique approach to biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. The owners speak passionately about their commitment to protecting local olive varieties, some threatened with extinction. The farm grows using organic methods, completely abandoning pesticides and artificial fertilizers. During the tasting, you can taste oils produced from rare olive varieties, such as Cellina di Nardò and Ogliarola Salentina. Particularly noteworthy is their limited edition monoculture oil from the Cellina variety, which impresses with an intense, fruity aroma with notes of green apples and fresh herbs, as well as a distinctive spicy finish. The farm also offers the opportunity to participate in the olive harvest during the fall season, an unforgettable experience for agritourism enthusiasts.

In the heart of Salento, in the village of Carmiano, is Azienda Olearia Schirinzi, an oil mill with traditions dating back to 1957. It's a place where you can fully understand how important oil is to the region's cultural identity. The owners proudly display their products, which have won numerous awards at international competitions. Schirinzi specializes in producing oil using the cold-press method, which preserves maximum flavor and nutritional value. Their flagship oil, produced from a blend of Ogliarola and Cellina di Nardò varieties, has a balanced flavor profile - it is both fruity and tangy, with a slight bitterness and a long, satisfying finish. During the tasting, you can also taste the oil flavored with local herbs, such as rosemary and basil. The oil mill offers the possibility to purchase products online, with delivery to many countries, allowing you to enjoy the taste of Salento even after returning from your trip.

Moving to the north of the region, make a stop in Ruvo di Puglia, where Mazzone Extravergine is located. This family-owned oil mill combines traditional production methods with an innovative approach to marketing and consumer education. Mazzone offers interactive tastings where guests not only taste different types of oil, but also learn how to properly store and use it in the kitchen. Of particular interest is a tasting program that pairs oil with local cheeses and wines to discover new and fascinating flavor combinations. The oil produced by Mazzone, mainly from the Coratina variety characteristic of northern Puglia, is distinguished by its intense, robust flavor with distinct notes of fresh-cut grass, green tomatoes and artichokes. It is an oil high in polyphenols, which translates into its exceptional antioxidant properties.

Returning to the Ostuni area, don't miss Frantoio Oleario Agriolea. This oil mill, located in a picturesque valley among centuries-old olive trees, offers a comprehensive experience for oil lovers. During your visit, you can see both traditional production methods and modern technologies used today. Agriolea specializes in the production of monoculture oil from the Ogliarola variety, a characteristic of the region. Their flagship product is a medium-intensity oil with distinct notes of fresh herbs, green fruits and a delicate almond accent. Of particular interest is a comparative tasting of oils from different years of production to understand how climatic conditions affect the final flavor profile of the product. The oil mill also offers cooking workshops to learn traditional Apulian recipes using oil as the main ingredient.

In the very south of Puglia, in the village of Ugento, is Olio Congedi - Frantoio dal 1917. This oil mill boasts more than a century of history and experience passed down from generation to generation. During your visit, you can see both the historic tools used in the past to produce oil, as well as modern production lines. Congedi specializes in oil from varieties specific to Salento, such as Ogliarola Salentina and Cellina di Nardò. Their flagship product is an oil with a balanced flavor profile - fruity, with a mild bitterness and a tangy finish. Particularly noteworthy is their limited edition monoculture oil from the Ogliarola variety, which delights with its intense aroma of fresh herbs and green fruits. The oil mill also offers tours of the historic production rooms, a fascinating trip back in time for lovers of history and culinary traditions.

Comparing the tasting offerings of the various oil mills in Puglia, one can see both similarities and differences that make each place unique. In terms of accessibility and organization of visits, Extravergine Savoia stands out for its professional approach to olive tourism. They offer regular, well-organized tours in several languages, making them an ideal choice for foreign tourists. Oleificio Salamida in Alberobello, on the other hand, enjoys the advantage of being located near the famous trulli, making it easy to combine a visit to the oil mill with a tour of this unique UNESCO-listed town.

As for the depth of the educational experience, L'Acropoli di Puglia in Martina Franca offers the most comprehensive tasting workshops, led by certified experts. This is the ideal place for those who want to really explore the topic of olive oil and learn how to professionally evaluate its quality. Agricola Pietrasanta, on the other hand, stands out for its organic approach and the opportunity to learn about the entire ecosystem of the farm, not just oil production.

In terms of product diversity, AGROSI' AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA E BIODIVERSA offers the richest range of oils from rare local olive varieties, making it a paradise for true connoisseurs and seekers of unique flavors. Mazzone Extravergine, on the other hand, stands out for its innovative approach to tasting, combining the oil with other local products to create a comprehensive culinary experience.

As for the price of the experience, the cheapest tastings are offered by Cipa, where for a small fee you can taste several types of oil with professional commentary. At the other end of the spectrum is Frantoio Oleario Agriolea, which offers an exclusive, full-day experience combining oil tasting with a cooking workshop and meal, which comes with a higher price tag, but also provides an unforgettable experience.

In terms of authenticity and tradition, Olio Congedi, with more than a century of history, offers the most traditional approach to oil production, with the opportunity to see historical tools and methods. Azienda Olearia Schirinzi, on the other hand, combines respect for tradition with a modern approach to marketing and distribution, offering the opportunity to purchase products online with delivery to many countries.

When planning a trip along the Apulian oil trail, it's worth considering the time of year. The best time to visit the oil mills is late autumn (November-December), when the olive harvest and fresh oil production are underway. During this time, you can observe the entire process from harvesting to bottling, and taste the freshly pressed oil, which has a particularly intense flavor and aroma. Some oil mills, such as Extravergine Savoia and AGROSI', even offer the opportunity to participate in the harvest, which is an unforgettable experience.

It's also worth noting the transportation accessibility of each location. Oil mills located near larger cities, such as Oleificio Salamida (Alberobello) or L'Acropoli di Puglia (Martina Franca), are more easily accessible to those without a car. In contrast, places like Agricola Pietrasanta and AGROSI' are in more remote locations, requiring one's own transportation, but rewarding visitors with authentic rural character and picturesque views.

For those interested in combining oil tasting with other attractions, consider a visit to Mazzone Extravergine, which offers programs combining oil tasting with local cheeses and wines, or Frantoio Oleario Agriolea, where you can take part in cooking workshops. Olio Congedi, on the other hand, with its rich history, offers a fascinating journey back in time for lovers of culinary traditions and stories.

All in all, Puglia offers an extremely rich and varied offer for olive oil lovers. Each of the described olive oil mills has its own unique character and specialization, so there is something for everyone - from professional tastings for connoisseurs, to culinary workshops for cooking enthusiasts, to scenic olive grove tours for nature and photography enthusiasts. Regardless of the destinations chosen, a journey along the Apulian olive oil trail is a fascinating culinary adventure that allows you not only to savor unique flavors, but also to explore the rich culture and tradition of this region, for which olive oil is a true national treasure.