Discovering one of the ancient oil mills where Laudemio oil is born, a label that represents the excellence of the Tuscan olive-growing tradition, the purest essence of its olive groves.

With more than 400 oil mills scattered throughout the territory and 29 olive growers awarded the Three Leaves in 2025, the highest recognition of the Gambero Rosso Oli d’Italia guide, Tuscany is at the top of the Italian ranking thanks to a territory and a climate perfect for the cultivation of olive trees with unique organoleptic characteristics.

The great Tuscan olive growing tradition owes its development to the reclamation that the Medici implemented from the mid-1500s, allowing production to expand, benefiting from new land that was previously unusable.

The wine that gladdens the heart of man, the oil that makes his face shine. (The Book of Psalms – Old Testament)

The symbol of its excellence is Laudemio oil – in the Middle Ages, laudemio was the gem of the harvest, the part destined for the lord’s table – which was born in the mid-80s, when some visionary farmers, custodians of some of the noblest olive crus in the region, made a pact for production excellence, based on strict rules and strict quality control.

In fact, there are only 21 producers who can boast this label which, if you look closely, represent the elite of Tuscan aristocratic mastery and history, which is why, putting together heritage and overall awards received, Laudemio can be counted among the best in Tuscany (“poetic license” because there are many excellent producers), certainly the one with the greatest distribution.

The olive harvest usually takes place between October and November, an ideal time to book, well in advance, a visit to one of the mills that produce Laudemio oil, such as the very ancient one at Fattoria di Maiano.

Located in Fiesole, just above Florence, Fattoria di Maiano is an organic farm built around a thousand-year-old rural village that houses a former monastery with a farmhouse, panoramic suites and a swimming pool, the award-winning mill and the largest botanical garden in Europe.

The estate belongs to the noble Corsini family, received as a dowry for the marriage between Elisabetta Corsini and Teodoro Stori who, having no children, left the entire property to their niece Lucrezia Corsini who married Count Giacomo Miari Fulcis, originally from Belluno.

Today Francesco Miari Fulcis manages the farm together with his children Tommaso, responsible for production, and Anna, responsible for hospitality. Over 270 hectares, of which 500,000 square meters of park and 12 km of walks with 20,000 olive trees, various orchards, organic crops as well as the farm with wild animals, such as horses, geese, chickens, ducks, ostriches, bulls and donkeys of Amiata.

In the old mill everything is produced by hand as it once was and it is a joy to follow the arrival of the olives until they are transformed into the green gold of Tuscany.

Even better is to taste it at the end with some good artisan bread and, obviously, stock up on all the products of the Fattoria di Maiano in their well-stocked Spaccio which is located right next to the farmhouse restaurant.

The Secret

According to an ancient legend, the olive tree was born from Athena’s spear which, stuck in a rock, gave life to a “magical” plant capable of healing wounds, illuminating the night and giving nourishment to people. Faced with a creation of such beauty, Zeus rewarded the goddess by naming the city of Athens after her and conferring on her the role of his protector.

Useful Info

Fattoria di Maiano
Via Benedetto da Maiano 11
50014 Fiesole, Firenze
Tel. +39 055 59049

Fattoria di Maiano online shop

Rooms: from 180 euro with breakfast included
Daily entrance to the Park: from 13 euro
Experiences (safari, tastings,…) you can see and book them here