01Colline di Romagna PDO oil
In the hills behind Rimini, olive trees grow alongside the vineyards. The extra virgin olive oil from this area has been PDO “Colline di Romagna” since 2003 and is produced in the hills of the provinces of Rimini and Forlì-Cesena.
- About 3,500 hectares of olive groves, 60% of them in the province of Rimini;
- olives mainly of the Correggiolo variety (at least 60%), then Leccino and other varieties;
- a medium fruity flavour, with notes of grass, almond and artichoke.
02When to visit the olive mills
The olives are picked by hand from 20 October to 15 December: during these weeks the mills work flat out and the air smells of new oil. Many mills sell direct to the public all year round.
It’s the perfect time to taste freshly pressed oil on a slice of toasted bread, the simplest bruschetta in Romagna.
03Olive mills and producers to visit
Historic olive mills and olive-growing families who sell their oil direct. Phone or email first to check opening times and visits.
| Oleificio Sapigni | via Statale Marecchia 39, Villa Verucchio (about 18 km). Olive mill since 1850, direct sales. sapigni.com |
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| Fratelli Frontali | Il Germolio agriturismo, via delle Fonti Romane 5/a, San Lorenzo in Monte, in the hills behind Rimini. About 6,000 olive trees of Correggiolo, Leccino and other varieties, with olives pressed within 24 hours; a farm shop among the olive trees, tastings and courses. Their oil is also sold at the Terre Solidali cooperative in Onferno and Gemmano. Facebook |
| Fraternali Grilli – Uliveto del Fattore | via Villa Parigi 37, Montegridolfo, in the Valconca (about 46 km). Olive growers for five generations, producing Correggiolo oil and Colline di Romagna PDO; tastings by appointment. ulivetodelfattore.it |
| Frantoio Bigucci | via dei Faggi 13, San Giovanni in Marignano (about 30 km). Olive mill since 1954, sales to the public. |
04Olive oil festivals
- Fiera dell’oliva e dei prodotti autunnali (Olive and Autumn Produce Fair) in Coriano, organised by the Pro Loco in November, with tastings of oil from local mills;
- Il Novello dell’Emilia-Romagna in Montegridolfo, the region’s extra virgin olive oil competition, in December; you’ll find the village on our Mondaino and Montegridolfo page.
The exact dates are announced each autumn: just ask us at reception.
More flavours of the hinterland: wineries and wine · olive mills and oil · formaggio di fossa and squacquerone · cured meats and meat. The villages to visit are on our Rimini hinterland page.
Sources: Emilia-Romagna Turismo · Riviera di Rimini · CNA Rimini · sapigni.com · Terre Solidali · Uliveto del Fattore · Il Novello. Information checked in October 2026: opening hours, dates and visits may change, so always phone ahead.
05FAQ
When is the new oil made near Rimini?
The olives are picked by hand from 20 October to 15 December: during these weeks the mills are working and you can find the new season’s oil.
What is Colline di Romagna PDO oil?
It is the extra virgin olive oil from the hills of Rimini and Forlì-Cesena, PDO since 2003, made mainly from Correggiolo olives: medium fruity, with notes of grass, almond and artichoke.
Where can I buy oil direct from the producer?
For example at Oleificio Sapigni in Villa Verucchio, Frantoio Bigucci in San Giovanni in Marignano, Fratelli Frontali in the hills behind Rimini and Fraternali Grilli (Uliveto del Fattore) in Montegridolfo: contact them first.
When is the Coriano olive fair?
In November, organised by the Pro Loco of Coriano: the exact dates are announced each autumn.
