Olive-mill hopping in the Val di Noto (September, October & November)
September, October and November are the best months to discover the most authentic soul of the Val di Noto: centuries-old olive groves, dry-stone walls and baroque towns. It’s olive-harvest time and the season of new oil: mills open their doors to visitors and offer unforgettable tastings of freshly pressed extra-virgin olive oil, fragrant and rich in polyphenols.
If you stay with HireSicily, you can experience this tradition up close and pair it with days of sea, culture and great food.
Why the Val di Noto is special
Here, olive oil has a unique character thanks to the Tonda Iblea cultivar, which gives the oil intense aromas of green tomato, herbs and fresh almond.
The landscape—recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site—turns every visit into a journey through nature, flavour and culture.
Monti Iblei PDO
The Val di Noto is part of the Monti Iblei PDO, a Protected Designation of Origin that certifies quality and traceability of extra virgin olive oil. The specification safeguards cultivars such as Tonda Iblea and promotes traditional harvesting and milling practices. Monti Iblei PDO oils are known for their intense fruity profile with notes of green tomato, aromatic herbs and fresh almond—one of Sicily’s most distinctive olive-oil expressions.
Recommended olive mills in the Val di Noto
⭐ Frantoi Papèlli – Avola (the must-visit)
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Why go: the reference mill if you’re staying around Noto, Avola and Marzamemi. A family-run, authentic and welcoming place—perfect if you want to explore the local olive-oil tradition without long drives.
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The experience: guided tour of the mill with explanations of each step, tastings, and the chance to buy freshly pressed oil.
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Specialities: intensely aromatic extra-virgin oils—try them on warm, freshly baked bread.
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Address: C.da (Contrada) Risicone s.n.c., Avola, 96012 (SR)
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Phone: +39 0931 835 322
- Website: Frantoi Papèlli
- Facebook: Frantoi Papèlli
👉 If you’re staying with HireSicily, Frantoi Papèlli is the most convenient and genuine choice: just minutes from our homes, it delivers the new-oil experience without sacrificing beach time and relaxation.
🌿 Frantoi Cutrera – Chiaramonte Gulfi
Award-winning Monti Iblei DOP oils; guided tours and professional tastings.
🌿 Frantoio Ruta – Chiaramonte Gulfi
Family-run estate with organic groves; oil tastings and preserves.
🌿 Agrestis – Buccheri
Monti Iblei DOP excellence; visits among mountain olive trees and guided tastings.
🌿 Terraliva – Buccheri
Top-quality organic oils; sensory experiences and direct sales.
🌿 Oleificio Terranova – Giarratana
Small artisan producer—ideal for those seeking a direct, genuine touch.
2-day mini-itinerary: oil & baroque
Day 1 – Avola & Noto
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Visit Frantoi Papèlli with new-oil tasting.
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Warm bread, Pachino cherry tomatoes and freshly pressed oil.
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Afternoon in Noto: baroque centre and dinner with dishes enhanced by Tonda Iblea oil.
Day 2 – Buccheri & Chiaramonte Gulfi
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Morning at historic mills like Agrestis or Terraliva.
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Afternoon in Chiaramonte Gulfi visiting Cutrera or Ruta.
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Drive back and evening in Marzamemi or along the Avola coast.
Classic Sicilian dishes that shine with new oil
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Pane cunzato (seasoned bread) with anchovies, oregano and capers.
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Orange salad with black olives, fennel and Iblean oil.
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Caponata (sweet-and-sour aubergine and vegetables) finished with raw oil.
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Hearty legume soup with a generous drizzle of new oil.
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Grilled blue fish with Biancolilla or Cerasuola.
Where to stay
The HireSicily villas and homes in the Val di Noto sit among olive, citrus and tropical fruit trees, just minutes from Avola and Noto.
👉 Discover our holiday homes and pair your stay with a guided mill visit—we’ll be happy to arrange it for you.