Production Area
Lake Garda: land of olive trees
Between land and water,
sun and wind,
olio Garda DOP is born
The production area of olio Garda DOP stretches along the shores of Lake Garda, across the provinces of Brescia, Verona, Mantua, and Trento — a unique region in northern Italy, where olive cultivation has been practiced for centuries.
Here, olive trees thrive thanks to a mild and breezy climate, similar to the Mediterranean, making the land ideal for growing olives.
Rolling hills surrounded by mountains, creating a unique microclimate, are reflected in the waters of Italy’s largest lake.
In this striking landscape, olive cultivation is more than a tradition — it is a centuries-old balance of nature, culture, and human dedication.
Goethe
Villages overlooking the water and trails winding through olive groves and hills embody the olive-growing soul of Lake Garda.
Guided tastings, olive-themed itineraries, mill tours, and local festivals offer visitors the chance to experience ancient knowledge passed down through generations.
This is a land to be explored and experienced — where olio Garda DOP becomes the connecting thread between nature, culture, and community.
As early as the Middle Ages, it was highly valued for its quality and economic worth.
Olive cultivation on Lake Garda is documented as far back as the 7th century, when a Lombard edict punished anyone who damaged an olive tree.
By the 13th century, Garda olive oil was so prized that 4 to 6 kilograms of it could be worth as much as a pig.
Official seals like the Sigillum Comunis Veronae existed, and a dedicated officer — the Superstes oley — was appointed to oversee production and trade.
During the Renaissance, slopes were transformed into terraced olive groves overlooking the lake — landscapes that still define the region today.
It was during this period that Lake Garda earned the name “Riviera of the Olive Trees.”
This ancient tradition was formally recognized in 1997 with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, protecting a true symbol of the Lake Garda territory.
