When Megan and I arrived to Datca Vineyard in southern Turkey we didn’t know that we would be in the middle of so many olive groves. After only a couple of days being here it was time for the olive harvest to begin. From this point on, Megan and I will always question the quality of each inexpensive olive oil we come across.
At 8am sharp, we met our fellow olive harvesters. Armed with no more then a couple of sticks, rakes, and a giant vibrating comb, we were ready for the challenge. We laid our tarps down and the “fun” began as the olives started to fly in every direction. The olives started to mound and be sorted as the sun grew higher in the sky. The sweat started to pour down my face as we moved from tree to tree collecting our loot. Only 108, 107, 106 more trees to go. Ah, tea time!
Harvest on this vineyard lasts for 7 days and is performed at the optimal time to allow for the highest-quality olive oil. If the olives are picked too late in the season they will release more oil but be of lesser-quality. If they are picked too early, the oil will be tight and restrained. Here at Datca Vineyard, they have perfected the right time to produce a very aromatic and flavorful oil.
At the end of each day the haul was loaded onto the tractor and taken to one of town’s processing plants. The small operation opens early in the season to handle those wishing to complete the earlier harvests. On one of the olive-picking days we had the privilege to accompany the tractor on a visit to the processing plant. The smells of the liquid gold filled the air as each crate was loaded for processing. The experience and smells will leave memories imprinted for years to come.
The days were long and the work was tough but we wouldn’t trade the new respect that we gained for olive oil and the olive farmers for anything. The next time you come across a bottle of cheap olive oil, think to yourself – is this the real thing? When were these olives harvested? Were these olives harvested and sorted by hand? As for my wife and I, we will be upping our budget for olive oil from now on.
Consider helping out on an olive farm through the program Workaway. We have had many pleasurable experiences using this program discovering places we never new existed – like Sedella, Spain.
Cheers friends!
Matt & Megan
