The story of Chiavalon is the story of a boy who followed his grandfather into an olive grove. Enchanted by the olive’s slow growth, immense beauty and many gifts to those willing to work hard to reap them, the boy set out to continue his grandfather’s legacy. Thanks to the support of the entire family, Chiavalon today picks olives from over 7.500 olive trees, gaining international awards every step of the way. Between the listing on the prestigious Flos Olei list “Top olive oils of the world”, to the spot among the top 25 eco-olive oils by World’s Best Olive Oils, Chiavalon oils are the ones to take home from Istria.
What’s special about olive oils from Istria?
Planted in one of the northernmost areas where olives are grown, the Istrian olives benefit from lower temperatures than their southern counterparts endure. Less exposed to heat while still in the fruit, the Istrian olive oils retain a higher quality, and a distinct, herbal flavor. Travel to the town of Vodnjan to visit headline-making olive oil makers of Istria.
The world’s best at Chiavalon
Next, head to Chiavalon. One of Istria’s most famous, Chiavalon is known for picking their olives early in and processing them the same day, producing oils which retain an organic flavor, together with the most health benefits. Taste their award-winning labels made of authentic sorts and enjoy an insider’s view on the tradition in the modern day.
From a Roman olive grove at Medea
The olives for Salvela oils are picked from a grove of 7.200 trees which grows surrounded by the sea. The site was used already by the Romans, remaining one of the sites with longest continuity of growing in Croatia. Packing the essence of Istria – the sea, the history, the food – into each bottle, Salvela oils are made of different authentic sorts. Enjoy comparing them in the modern and warm tasting room at Medea winery.
The story of Chiavalon is the story of a boy who followed his grandfather into an olive grove. Enchanted by the olive’s slow growth, immense beauty and many gifts to those willing to work hard to reap them, the boy set out to continue his grandfather’s legacy. Thanks to the support of the entire family, Chiavalon today picks olives from over 7.500 olive trees, gaining international awards every step of the way. Between the listing on the prestigious Flos Olei list “Top olive oils of the world”, to the spot among the top 25 eco-olive oils by World’s Best Olive Oils, Chiavalon oils are the ones to take home from Istria.
What’s special about olive oils from Istria?
Planted in one of the northernmost areas where olives are grown, the Istrian olives benefit from lower temperatures than their southern counterparts endure. Less exposed to heat while still in the fruit, the Istrian olive oils retain a higher quality, and a distinct, herbal flavor. Travel to the town of Vodnjan to visit headline-making olive oil makers of Istria.
The world’s best at Chiavalon
Next, head to Chiavalon. One of Istria’s most famous, Chiavalon is known for picking their olives early in and processing them the same day, producing oils which retain an organic flavor, together with the most health benefits. Taste their award-winning labels made of authentic sorts and enjoy an insider’s view on the tradition in the modern day.
From a Roman olive grove at Medea
The olives for Salvela oils are picked from a grove of 7.200 trees which grows surrounded by the sea. The site was used already by the Romans, remaining one of the sites with longest continuity of growing in Croatia. Packing the essence of Istria – the sea, the history, the food – into each bottle, Salvela oils are made of different authentic sorts. Enjoy comparing them in the modern and warm tasting room at Medea winery.
In 2005, Secret Dalmatia was started from pure love for Croatia’s heritage, its incredible diversity, and beauty. We have since remained faithful to our initial mission – and are still today a boutique travel agency dedicated to showing the true, wholesome Croatia to the discerning travelers who want to experience our country and all our riches, not just see it.
A bottle of Croatian wine or rose liquor will go far in telling stories, and so will some of the praised olive oils. Keep the memory of the Adriatic alive with salt from centuries’ old pans at Ston or Pag Island or with a sample of Istria’s famed truffles. Lightweight travelers should consider typical spices like lavender or rosemary, herbal teas or candied orange peels and almonds.
