Centuries-Old Olive Grove Tour with Oil and Local Tasting

The landscape around Matera is stitched together by olive groves, some of them centuries old, with trunks twisted into sculptural shapes and silver leaves rustling in the wind. This tour takes you out of the old town into one of those groves for a walk, a talk and a tasting. It lasts about two and a half hours and is new, with a perfect score from a small number of reviews, so confirm the details with the operator when you book. A local host explains how the trees are tended, how olives are harvested and pressed, and what separates a good extra virgin oil from an ordinary one. Then comes the tasting: fresh oil sampled neat or on bread, plus local food and a drink, usually eaten outside among the trees. Olive oil here is more than a condiment. It is the foundation of cooking, a source of identity and a livelihood for many families. The tour appeals to food lovers, slow-travel fans and anyone who wants a break from stone and stairs. The setting is quiet and pastoral, and the contrast with the old town is part of the pleasure. You get fresh air, big views, the smell of earth and herbs, and a better understanding of the countryside that feeds the city. It is a fine pick for a lazy afternoon.

Learn how to taste oil like a pro. Swirl a small amount, cup the glass in your hand to warm it, smell for fresh grass, tomato leaf or almond, then sip and breathe in to feel the peppery kick at the back of the throat. A good oil often makes you cough a little, and that is a compliment. Your host can show you how to read this and teach you what to look for in a bottle, including harvest date and storage.

Book for late afternoon in summer, when the light softens and the heat eases, and for midday in cooler months. Wear closed shoes for uneven ground and bring a hat and sunscreen. Insects can be active in warm months, so a light repellent helps. If you have food allergies, flag them in advance. The experience is mostly outdoors, so check the weather forecast and ask about rain plans.

Transport may be included or may require your own arrangements, so confirm the meeting point when you book. If you are without a car, check that a transfer is part of the product. The grove is a short ride from the city, but public transport to rural sites can be limited.

This tour fits neatly with a cooking class or bread workshop for a food-focused day, and it is a gentle option for travellers who prefer fresh air to museums. Buy a bottle of the oil if you like it, since fresh local oil travels well in checked luggage when wrapped carefully, and it is a gift with a story.

Take a moment to look at the trunks themselves. Old olive trees can live for hundreds of years, and their gnarled forms are some of the best natural sculptures around Matera. A few quiet minutes among them, away from phones and crowds, is worth as much as the tasting.