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Olive growing in Bergamo area has very ancient origins and at the beginning it was widespread on the west shore of the Lake Iseo, in the zone included between Lovere e Sarnico. Great part of oil production in Bergamo area was linked to the activity of a co-operative oil mill in Riva di Solto, whose activity ended following the massive abandon of agriculture during the post-war period. In the last decade olive growing has had a strong resumption, thanks to the introduction of modern and more rational technologies. Today the olive growing in Sebino area includes the towns between Sarnico and Riva di Solto and the bordering zones (Villongo, Foresto Sparso, Castelli Calepio, Adrara San Martino) as far as the gates of Bergamo. The oil obtained in these zones is only extra virgin olive oil and presents a typical and unmistakable mark, thanks to its very low acidity degree, its richness in vitamins and the great amount of aromatic substances. This is due to the particular natural habitat created by the lacustrine weather where trees don’t suffer from an excessive summer heat nor from frosts and during the harvesting period (only by hand) the cool autumn temperatures preserve the fruits sane and integral. These characteristics make it suitable for a balanced Mediterranean diet. In 1998 they acknowledged the Denomination of Protected Origin for “Sebino” oil, in the ambit of "Lakes of Lombardy” oil, which includes the area of the Lake Iseo and bordering towns with an ancient oil tradition. In order to promote and valorise olive growing in Sebino, some years ago they founded a special association at the Consortium of communes in mountain areas: Association Olive growers of Sebino Bergamasco, which today counts more than 90 members. This associative reality in touch with the Interprovincial Association Oil Producers of Lombardy (AIPOL) and the support of several technical companies, is spreading the cultivation rationalising production techniques of olive oil from harvesting to pressing to conservation. |
