| Reported by: Stephanie Sandoval for ABC 15 News |
Arizona’s only producer of extra-virgin olive oil is celebrating the newest batch of the season with it’s annual Olio Nuovo, which translated means Festival of the New Oil.
The festivities will begin Friday, January 16 and run through February 21 at the Queen Creek Olive Mill.
Visitors and food lovers will enjoy live entertainment, wine tastings, extra virgin olive oil and other gourmet olive product samplings and tours of the olive mill.
Additionally, those who have been to the Queen Creek Olive Mill will notice changes to the local mill as they have just completed an indoor and outdoor expansion. Outdoor seating and dining overlooks the olive grove with a view of the nearby San Tan Mountains
Tours are available for guests to see how extra virgin olive oil is made the Queen Creek Olive Mill way. Learn about olive tree varieties, farming and harvesting, the pressing process and the health benefits of olive oil.
When you take a drive to the Queen Creek Olive Mill you’ll also enjoy the food fair at the onsite Tuscan-inspired eatery del Piero, which serves breakfast and lunch all day including original gourmet sandwiches, panini, soups, salads, unique wine, gelato, specialty coffees and olive oil baked goods.
New this season are The Mill’s Gourmet Tuscan Tri-packs and new larger size Vanilla Bean Olive Oil and Roasted Garlic EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil).
Perry Rea, owner of Queen Creek Olive Mill and master blender, introduces another unique olive oil Chocolate Olive Oil along with three aged balsamic vinegars: strawberry, fig and classic aged that are great for desserts, salads and grilled meats.
In addition, The Mill sells its own locally produced line of olive oil bath and body products and a variety of other unique products made by local artisans such as honey, nuts, jams and jellies, grilling rubs, coffee and much more.
Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Schedule of events for the Festival of the New Oil:
January 16th
Live Music – Melloland – a smooth jazz band
Wine Vendors – Dos Cabezas a local winery
Local Vendors & Food Tastings – Arizona Vanilla Company
January 23rd
Live Music – Melloland
Wine Vendors – Valley of the Sun
Local Vendors & food tastings – Avalon Cheese & Fossil Creek Creamery
January 30th
Live Music – Lynda Pugh – a local pianist
Wine Vendors – Pilsbury wines
Local Vendors & Food Tastings – Almond Brothers
February 6th
Live Music – Frank the Accordian Man
Wine Vendors – Southern Wines
Local Vendors & Food Tastings – Luna Honey
February 13th
Live Music – Melloland
Wine Vendors – Valley of the Sun Wines
February 20th
Wine Vendors – Classico Wines
Regarded as one of Arizona’s premier destinations, bring the whole family and your out of town guests out to the Queen Creek Olive Mill for a relaxing and fun filled day at the mill.