Two things matter in Italy’s festive season: food and family. If you’re filling your belly and groaning at grandpa’s questionable jokes, then all is right with the world. At La Morla grove (from where you can adopt an olive tree) the extended Talocchi family gather well in advance to prepare for the feast. Matriarch Simonetta is happy to spend the whole day making hundreds of perfectly crafted tortellini, ‘helped’ by grandson Tommasso. Claudio takes care of gathering in the fresh vegetables from the family orto (garden), as the guests arrive with luxurious pannetone to share.
The story of La Morla
La Morla grove is one of the most popular in our Adopt an olive tree program. Its exceptionally good, award-winning olive oil is made by a family of passionate producers, led by Claudio who set up the family azienda twenty years ago. His original idea was simply to grow food for his young family and he has always believed in organic farming practices. The family planted large wheat fields to make flour for their bread and pasta, an olive grove for their oil and a large orto full of vegetables and fruit trees. A balsamic vinegar acetificio soon followed. Soon they were producing more than even their fast growing family could eat and started to sell to local restaurants and shops. They also built a stylish agriturismo where tree visitors can stay when they go and visit their adopted trees – and better still sample Simonetta’s divine cooking, all drizzled of course with oil from your very own olive tree.
We’ll soon be putting together a special La Morla trip offer – so do keep your eyes peeled.
Can’t wait to hear more about the La Mora (and other?) trips you may decide to plan! Paddy