The olive groves

The olive groves, with conical shaped plants, are equipped with a drip-feed irrigation system. The planting density used for the traditional varieties (Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino and Pendolino) is 6 x 3 m; whereas for the new varieties which have limited growth, such as the I-77, the FS17 and the Don Carlo, the density is 5 x 2,5 m.
The need for irrigating the plants led the farm to construct four reservoirs (whilst respecting the typical characteristics of the hillside) in order to meet the water requirements during the summer season. 
Technological innovations in the cultivation of olive trees have led to a notable lowering of costs, both by reducing the number of hours of labour, thanks to mechanical pruning and harvesting, and by bringing forward the production cycle of the plants compared to traditional systems.
Again in full respect of the environment and of the quality of the end product, parasite control is carried out by means of a monitoring process which lasts almost the entire year and is aimed at identifying singular parasites (which in the case of the olive tree are very few and which, in the local environment occur rarely, given the particular climatic conditions).
The olive harvest is carried out by machine, with trunk shakers equipped with an umbrella-shaped collector. The harvest is carried out taking account of the different maturation times of the single varieties coexisting on the farm.