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Olive mill · Soiano del Lago · Lake Garda
Olive Oil Tasting on Lake Garda at Frantoio Manestrini
A working olive mill, five extra virgin oils to taste and a picnic basket under the olive trees of Valtènesi
For an olive oil tasting on Lake Garda, head to Frantoio Manestrini, a family olive mill in Soiano del Lago, in the Valtènesi hills between Desenzano del Garda and Salò. You walk through the olive grove and the mill, taste five extra virgin olive oils made on site, then stay for an aperitivo or a picnic in the shade of the trees. Experiences start at €20 per person and can be booked online.
Direct booking on Frantoio Manestrini’s official portal
5 extra virgin oils to taste
Olive mill since 1960
Picnic in the olive grove
Oilbar & Bistrò
Tours in EN · IT · DE
Under 10s free
Frantoio Manestrini: Lake Garda olive oil since 1960
From the mid-14th to the late 18th century a Franciscan convent dedicated to San Rocco stood where the mill works today, and the stone structures found on site show that olives were already being pressed here. In 1960 Egidio Manestrini opened the new mill on the same spot; it is now run by his daughter Nicoletta, a professional olive oil taster. Casaliva, Leccino, Frantoio and Moraiolo olives are milled within 24 hours of delivery and become delicate, balanced oils – including Garda Bresciano PDO – awarded by Ercole Olivario and Flos Olei, among others.
An event among the olive trees?
Birthdays, company outings, hen and stag parties or lunch with friends: the Frantoio Manestrini team builds the day around you, with brunch, picnics, aperitivo or a cooking class at the Oilbar & Bistrò.
Open every dayMon–Sat 9:00–18:00 · Sun 10:00–15:00. Guided tours and picnics by reservation.
Olive oil tasting on Lake Garda: the experiences
Mill tour &
olive oil tasting
€20 pp1 h 155 EVO oils
Guided tour of the olive grove and the mill, followed by a tasting of the five house extra virgin olive oils.
Tour, tasting
& aperitivo
€30 pp1 h 305 oils + aperitivo
The olive oil tasting ends with an aperitivo: two glasses of wine per person and a platter of local products from Lake Garda and Valtènesi.
Olive oil &
wine tasting tour
€50 pp2 h5 oils + 3 wines
Guided tour of grove and mill, tasting of the five extra virgin oils and then three glasses of local wine presented by an expert.
Tour, tasting
& picnic
€58 pp4 h5 oils + basket
Tour and tasting of the five extra virgin olive oils, followed by a picnic in the shade of the olive trees.
Picnic in the
olive grove
€45 pp12:00–17:00March–September
Choose a Classic, Garda or Vegetarian basket; blanket, cushions and chairs are ready for you. Kids’ basket €25.
E-bike tour &
olive oil tasting
€65 pp3 h 30e-bike + 5 oils
E-bike ride through Valtènesi and along Lake Garda, followed by the tasting at the mill.
Picnic in the olive grove: the four baskets
From March to September the picnic is available every day between 12:00 and 17:00, by reservation. Frantoio Manestrini recommends one basket per person; if it rains you move indoors, where tables and chairs are available, or pick another date.
Classic basket
€45- Olive oil taralli
- Red rice and quinoa with sautéed vegetables
- Multigrain focaccia with salami and Tremosine formaggella cheese
- Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and Leccino olives
- Fresh fruit salad
- The mill’s own cake
Garda basket
€45- Olive oil taralli
- Red rice and quinoa with sautéed vegetables
- Multigrain focaccia with dill-marinated trout and a yoghurt-lime sauce with Casaliva EVO oil
- Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and Leccino olives
- Fresh fruit salad
- The mill’s own cake
Vegetarian basket
€45- Olive oil taralli
- Red rice and quinoa with sautéed vegetables
- Multigrain focaccia with grilled vegetables, pesto and Tremosine formaggella with olives
- Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and Leccino olives
- Fresh fruit salad
- The mill’s own cake
Baby basket
€25- Multigrain focaccia with salami and Tremosine formaggella cheese
- Fresh fruit salad
- The mill’s own cake
- A soft drink or fruit juice
- Water 0.5 l
Always included in adult baskets: one bottle of wine of your choice for every two baskets (or a craft beer or soft drink per person), water 0.5 l, cutlery, napkins, glasses and wine glasses, picnic blanket, covers and chairs. The Baby basket is for children up to 10. Gluten-free and lactose-free options are available.
Information
Address
Via Avanzi, 7
25080 Soiano del Lago (BS)
Mill and Oilbar & Bistrò opening hours
Mon–Sat 9:00–18:00
Sun 10:00–15:00
Guided tours
English and Italian: Monday 10:30 · Thursday 17:00 · Saturday 10:30 and 15:00
German: Tuesday 10:30 · Friday 17:00
By reservation. Children under 10 go free.
Picnic in the olive grove
Every day, 12:00–17:00, March to September
Getting to the mill and what to expect
Soiano del Lago lies on the Brescia shore of Lake Garda, about 10 km from both Desenzano del Garda and Salò and a few minutes from Padenghe, Moniga and Manerba. The tour starts in the olive grove, continues among the machinery – crusher, stainless-steel malaxers, extraction – and ends at the table, with a tasting sheet and five oils to compare. The shop sells olive oil, wines and Garda specialities; the Oilbar & Bistrò is the place for lunch or an aperitivo.
Frequently asked questions about Frantoio Manestrini
Where is Frantoio Manestrini?
Frantoio Manestrini is at Via Avanzi 7 in Soiano del Lago (Brescia), in the Valtènesi area on the Lombardy shore of Lake Garda. It is about 10 km from Desenzano del Garda and from Salò, and a few minutes from Padenghe, Moniga and Manerba. The mill is open to visitors every day.
How much does an olive oil tasting on Lake Garda cost?
The guided tour with olive oil tasting of five extra virgin oils costs €20 per person and lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. With the final aperitivo it is €30; the olive oil and wine tour is €50, the tour with picnic €58 and the e-bike tour with tasting €65. Children under 10 join the tour for free.
When are the tours held and in which languages?
Tours in English and Italian run on Monday at 10:30, Thursday at 17:00 and Saturday at 10:30 and 15:00. German tours run on Tuesday at 10:30 and Friday at 17:00. Reservation is always required for this olive oil tour in Italy’s Lake Garda region.
How does the picnic in the olive grove work?
The picnic is available every day from March to September, between 12:00 and 17:00. You choose a Classic, Garda or Vegetarian basket (€45) or the Baby basket (€25); blanket, covers, chairs, cutlery and wine glasses are included. If it rains, the picnic moves indoors or is rescheduled.
Which Lake Garda olive oil will I taste?
You taste five extra virgin olive oils made at the mill, including Garda Bresciano PDO and a single-variety Casaliva. Lake Garda olive oil is delicate and balanced, with fresh grassy notes; here it comes from Casaliva, Leccino, Frantoio and Moraiolo olives milled within 24 hours of delivery.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. All experiences at Frantoio Manestrini are by reservation: book online on the official portal, by email at info@manestrini.it or by phone on +39 0365 502231. For lunch or an aperitivo at the Oilbar & Bistrò, booking is recommended.
Is the olive oil tasting suitable for children?
Yes. Children under 10 join the guided tour for free and the picnic has a Baby basket at €25 with focaccia, fruit salad, cake and a drink. The olive grove gives them room to move, which makes this olive oil tasting an easy stop for families.
Can I buy Lake Garda olive oil at the mill?
Yes. The Frantoio Manestrini shop sells its own Lake Garda olive oil, wines and local specialities. The shop and the Oilbar & Bistrò are open Monday to Saturday 9:00–18:00 and Sunday 10:00–15:00, so you can combine shopping with an olive oil tour in Italy at its most relaxed.
Via Avanzi, 7, 25080 Soiano del Lago (BS) — Frantoio Manestrini
