01Colline di Romagna PDO oil
In the hills behind Rimini, olive trees grow side by side with the vines. The extra virgin olive oil made here has been PDO “Colline di Romagna” since 2003 and comes from 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;
- mostly Correggiolo olives (at least 60%), plus Leccino and other varieties;
- a medium fruity taste, with hints of grass, almond and artichoke.
02When to visit the olive mills
The olives are picked by hand from 20 October to 15 December. These are the weeks when the mills run flat out and the air smells of new oil. Many mills also sell direct to the public all year round.
It's the time to try freshly pressed oil on a slice of toasted bread, Romagna's simplest bruschetta.
03Olive mills and producers to visit
Long-established mills and olive-growing families who sell their own oil. Phone or email first to check opening times and visits.
| Oleificio Sapigni | via Statale Marecchia 39, Villa Verucchio (about 18 km). A mill since 1850, with a shop on site. sapigni.com |
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| Fratelli Frontali | Il Germolio farm stay, via delle Fonti Romane 5/a, San Lorenzo in Monte, in the hills behind Rimini. Around 6,000 olive trees (Correggiolo, Leccino and other varieties), with the olives pressed within 24 hours of picking. There's a farm shop among the trees, plus tastings and courses. You can also buy their oil 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). Five generations of olive growers, making 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). A mill since 1954, selling to the public. |
04Olive oil festivals
- Fiera dell’oliva e dei prodotti autunnali (olive and autumn produce fair) in Coriano, run by the Pro Loco in November, where you can taste oil from the local mills;
- Il Novello dell’Emilia-Romagna in Montegridolfo, the regional competition for extra virgin olive oils, held in December. There's more about the village on our Mondaino and Montegridolfo page.
The exact dates come out every autumn, so ask us at reception.
More local food and drink from the hills: wineries and wine · olive mills and oil · formaggio di fossa and squacquerone · cured meats and meat. For villages worth visiting, see 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.
05Frequently asked questions
When is the new season's oil pressed near Rimini?
The olives are picked by hand from 20 October to 15 December. That's when the mills are busy and the new oil is on sale.
What is Colline di Romagna PDO oil?
It's the extra virgin olive oil from the hills of Rimini and Forlì-Cesena, with PDO status since 2003, made mostly from Correggiolo olives. It's medium fruity, with hints of grass, almond and artichoke.
Where can I buy oil straight from the producer?
Try Oleificio Sapigni in Villa Verucchio, Frantoio Bigucci in San Giovanni in Marignano, Fratelli Frontali in the hills behind Rimini, or Fraternali Grilli (Uliveto del Fattore) in Montegridolfo. Get in touch with them before you go.
When is the Coriano olive fair?
In November. It's run by Coriano's Pro Loco, and the exact dates come out every autumn.
