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With great pride, OPG Chiavalon announced that their family farm has once again won the "Best Olive Oil Hospitality in Europe" award at the prestigious competition. Magnifico - European Extra Quality Olive Oil Award, held in the historic Certosa in Florence.
This means that this family farm from Vodnjan has been declared the best oleotourism in Europe for the third year in a row.
"This recognition is especially important to us because it confirms our philosophy that extra virgin olive oil is not just a product, but an unforgettable experience to be shared. Every guest who visits us at our oil mill in Vodnjan becomes a part of our story – from a walk through the olive groves, learning about the process of creating top-quality extra virgin olive oil, to learning how to taste it like a professional. We want to provide our guests with an authentic and unforgettable experience of the world of olives. With this exceptional award, our Romano oil has entered the finals for the Best European EQOO 2026 award, once again confirming the top quality of Istrian olive oil on the European scene. This award belongs to our entire top team, without whom all this would not be possible, but also to all of you who come to us from all over the world and make these moments special", reads the post on social media.
Let us remind you that in addition to primary production and processing, since 2020 they have their own oil mill, so they control the entire process under one roof.
Their family farm also supervises the production of dozens of subcontractors in and around Vodnjan, which includes controlling production throughout the year and purchasing the fruit, which they process in their oil mill. They support the farmers with advice, protection, pruning, education, and they also try to transfer them to organic farming.
They built the first olive oil tasting room in Istria before they knew what potential oleotourism had, believing in the idea that guests should be given the best possible experience that would connect them with them and the destination in the long term. They encouraged their colleagues to move in that direction with the vision that Istria must become the best olive destination in the world.
Persistent work and effort led to the creation additional services in the Vodnjan area, a new experience for guests. It's nice to have the sun, the sea, a nice hotel or a camp, they think, but guests have all of that at home too. They come here to see how the locals live, what they eat, what are the specificities of the area. And olive oil is specifically specific to our region.
They created a story around this that tells about the region's olive-growing past, about today's olive-growing, their family, and finally offer education related to the product itself. To date, they have educated tens of thousands of people.
Furthermore, Tasting rooms increase the value of the destination because it is about new and quality content. The story did not stop there, today in Istria you cannot find a place that does not offer olive oil tasting and the whole story about the product.
Their family was the first, but today they are doing immeasurably better than when they were the only ones. The cooperation of olive growers is very important, and all the tasting rooms employ local people, which is especially important.
The value of the new offer was recognized at an early stage not only by local guides and the numerous travel agencies they cooperate with, but also by numerous 4 and 5 star hotels. They all offer some tour to a local olive grower.
By creating our own tourist offer in terms of storytelling, selling stories, experiences, we create additional value to the product, and what is even more important, we bind the customer to us in the long term.
The next time they come into contact with oil, wine or another indigenous product, they will remember Istria, the producers and a well-spent vacation. That is the essence of tourism - selling local products and raising the quality of life of the local population.
/ / / Best European Hospitality 2025: OPG Chiavalon is the best oleotourism in Europe again this year
