Ben Fogle experienced his first professional olive oil tasting in Istria

Renowned British researcher and journalist Ben Fogle, a passionate advocate of nature conservation through his documentary projects, visited Istria during his stay in Croatia. 

As part of the Istrian part of the trip, he visited Motovun, where he walked along the medieval walls in the company of a costumed Venetian captain and learned about the cultural heritage of one of the most recognizable Istrian towns.

A special emphasis of his visit was on gastronomy. In a traditional setting, he tasted Istrian specialties, including fritaja with truffles, as well as autochthonous Istrian wines, with a special emphasis on Teran.

During his visit, Fogle highlighted the beauty of Istria, but also warned about the challenges of mass tourism. In his statements, he emphasized the importance of a more sustainable and balanced development of the tourist offer, which further positions Istria as a destination that builds its recognition on authenticity, natural heritage, gastronomy and culture.

Fogle dedicated part of his Istrian trip to discovering the world of olive oil in the brothers' tasting room. Chiavalon which has been building an authentic story for decades.

He toured organic olive groves, listened carefully to the story of the family farm, tasted their multiple award-winning extra virgin olive oils, and talked about the values ​​that guide their work every day - respect for nature, dedication to quality, and the belief that top-quality products are created on healthy soil and in a harmonious ecosystem.

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"We are especially proud that Ben experienced his first professional olive oil tasting here. Through smells and tastes, he discovered how to recognize the characteristics of premium extra virgin olive oil, how different varieties express themselves in a glass, and how aroma and taste reveal the quality, freshness, and personality of each oil. Ben's own words best describe it: I had no idea olive oil could taste like this", they posted on social media from Chiavalon.

They also presented him with Chiavalon Olive Theory, a cosmetic collection created from award-winning olive oil and powerful bioactive olive extracts, developed as part of a commitment to innovation and the philosophy of a circular economy without waste.

What particularly impressed them was Ben's genuine curiosity and interest in the people and stories behind the products. 

"Such conversations remind us that authenticity, dedication, and a deep connection to the land are values ​​that transcend borders and connect people all over the world. Thank you, Ben, for visiting and for taking the time to get to know a little bit of what makes Istria so special.", reads the announcement from OPG Chiavalon.

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