The olive harvest has officially begun.
At IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company in the Suisun Valley, the start of the season was marked recently with a special milling day for olive growers from across the region.
Describing it as a day of “connection, collaboration, and the shared joy of making olive oil together,” IL Fiorello milled a total of 16,419 pounds of olives for 86 regional growers.
Designed for growers with fewer than 1,000 pounds of olives, Community Milling allows participants to combine their harvests and create a unique Community Blend, a reflection of the region’s diverse olive varieties and the spirit of cooperation that defines the region.
“This event embodies what IL Fiorello stands for —great community, great oil, and great food,” said Ann Sievers, owner of IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company. “It’s such a joy to see growers from all over come together, share stories, and watch their olives become beautiful oil.”
Guests enjoyed live music, food and drink and also enjoyed gelato, olive oil tastings, tours of North America’s most advanced olive oil mill, and connecting with farmers from around the region.
A second Community Milling Day is planned for Nov. 23, with oil created on that day finished in time for Thanksgiving dinner.
IL Fiorello has been producing award-winning organic olive oils and milling for growers since 2007. Visitors can witness milling through the company’s “Oil Experience,” and Sievers said “million days are long and busy, but they’re filled with the joy of bringing in the harvest and producing beautiful oils.”
For a more in-depth experience, IL Fiorello also offers guided tours by appointment. Guests can enjoy a walking tour of the Visitor Center, organic gardens, olive groves, and mill, followed by a comparative olive oil tasting with food pairing. Tour times are 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. each day and cost is $50 per person.
For more information, visit https://ilfiorello.com
Dining and Cooking