Snack in the Olive Grove

The Snack in the Olive Grove in Castelplanio

Merenda nell'Oliveta is the national event promoted by the National Association of Oil Cities which, every spring, invites people to rediscover the Italian olive landscape. In Castelplanio, a small village in the Vallesina area of the province of Ancona, the event brings citizens and visitors among the olive trees for an afternoon of walks, tastings, and shared activities. The event is part of a larger calendar involving over eighty Municipalities throughout Italy, each of which opens its olive groves as spaces for collective storytelling dedicated to extra virgin olive oil, health, nature, and beauty.

An Olive Grove as a Community Space

The Castelplanio stop takes place at Società Agricola Capriotti, a winery and farm that opens its lands and spaces to hospitality. The tour begins in the afternoon with a short walk among the olive trees, followed by a tasting of extra virgin olive oil and local wine in the cellar. The Pro Loco of Castelplanio manages the distribution of snack baskets, while the atmosphere remains convivial and informal, typical of these outdoor days.

Culture, Well-being, and Attention to Children

The program combines taste and civic engagement. Alongside the tasting, there are moments of gentle gymnastics and yoga, an exhibition of drawings, and a workshop on the Constitution for children, curated by the local section of ANPI Mediavallesina. The 2026 edition was titled "An Olive Tree for the Republic", in homage to the anniversary of the Italian Republic, emphasizing the olive tree's value as a symbol of peace, identity, and shared roots.

The Vallesina Territory

Castelplanio is located in the middle Vallesina, an area of the Marche region known for its Verdicchio wine and for a countryside shaped by vineyards and olive groves. Merenda nell'Oliveta celebrates this rural landscape, inviting visitors to see it with new eyes: not just agricultural production, but a cultural and environmental heritage to be preserved. The event is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities and suitable for families, with a recommendation to wear comfortable shoes for the walk.

Useful Information

• Municipality: Castelplanio (AN), Marche
• Location: Società Agricola Capriotti, among the olive groves
• When: spring, in the afternoon
• Participation: a contribution is required; in case of bad weather, the event is postponed