Frantoi Aperti in Valle Roveto

Frantoi Aperti in Valle Roveto: new olive oil in the heart of Abruzzo

Frantoi Aperti in Valle Roveto is the festival dedicated to extra virgin olive oil that brings San Vincenzo Valle Roveto to life every autumn. Located in the province of L'Aquila, the town is nestled among terraced olive groves that climb the valley slopes. The heart of the festival is the hamlet of San Vincenzo Vecchio, an ancient village recognized as one of the 'Authentic Villages of Italy' (Borghi Autentici d'Italia), where historic cellars and mills reopen for the occasion.

The Monicella cultivar

The absolute star of the event is the Monicella, the native olive variety of the Valle Roveto, prized for its fine and harmonious aromatic profile. During the event, visitors can taste and purchase freshly pressed new oil, discovering the work of local producers and the deep bond between this inland Abruzzo territory and olive cultivation, passed down from generation to generation.

The Olive Tree Trekking and the Oil Roads

One of the most anticipated events is the Olive Tree Trekking, a walk along the 'Oil Roads': a route of approximately 16.5 kilometers of moderate difficulty, organized by the Italian Alpine Club, starting from Piazza della Vittoria in San Vincenzo Valle Roveto. The itinerary touches fascinating landmarks such as the historic center of Morrea, the authentic village of San Vincenzo Vecchio, the church of San Diodato in San Giovanni Vecchio, and the hermitage of Madonna del Romitorio, with stops at the valley's olive mills.

Tastings, traditional dishes, and conviviality

During the Frantoi Aperti days, the historic cellars throw open their doors, offering tastings of new oil and traditional dishes from the Roveto-Marsica area, accompanied by music, food stalls, and festive moments. The program includes guided extra virgin olive oil tastings, conferences on local olive and truffle growing, workshops on artisanal bread paired with oil, and traditional dinners organized by the local Pro Loco associations.

A local event

The event is promoted by the Municipality of San Vincenzo Valle Roveto together with the Pro Loco of San Vincenzo Capoluogo and San Vincenzo Vecchio, and the 'La Monicella della Valle Roveto' Association, under the patronage of the Borghi Autentici d'Italia network. More than just a food festival, Frantoi Aperti is an opportunity to rediscover the villages of the Valle Roveto, the landscape of inland Abruzzo, and an oil supply chain that unites agriculture, environment, and community identity.