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OLIVE OIL TASTING-TOUR & SHOP
Join us in our tasting room for an educational olive oil tasting!
Join us in our tasting room for an educational olive oil tasting!
Join us in our tasting room for an educational olive oil tasting!
Discover how we grow, produce the award-winning "world's best", and taste our delicious, small-batch, extra virgin olive oil! Guests can join a tasting Thursday through Saturday or enjoy a tour (please register online one day in advance) to take in the amazing views of the grove and surrounding countryside.
Shop and pick up a bottle or two!
Join us in our tasting room for an educational olive oil tasting!
Join us in our tasting room for an educational olive oil tasting!
. Hours: Thursday and Fridays 11-4 Saturdays 11-3.
Location: 2437 GA 121 Glennville GA, 30427
Phone: 912-266-7577
Exploring Georgia’s Hidden Gem:Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm
By Fiona Ridgeway
Drawn by the allure of the historic Woodpecker Trail, I embarked on a journey to the Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm in Glennville, Georgia. This hidden gem, steeped in family heritage and history, promised an enriching experience that I couldn’t resist exploring.
A Journey Through Time on the Woodpecker Trail
As we meandered down the historic Woodpecker Trail, a route that has long been a thread weaving through the tapestry of the American Southeast, I felt a familiar sense of nostalgia wash over me. This road, which stretches from North Carolina to Florida, has been a silent witness to countless stories and adventures. It was a route my family and I had often traveled during my youth, and now, as a grandmother, I found myself retracing those steps with my husband in our trusty RV.
Our destination was the Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm in Glennville, Georgia. Nestled amidst 300 acres of lush greenery, this farm is a testament to six generations of family heritage. The farm’s history is deeply intertwined with the land, from its long leaf pine forestation to the more recent addition of a 9,000 olive tree orchard. As we approached, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for the stories and experiences that awaited us.
Discovering the Heart of the Olive Farm
Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the farm’s owner, whose passion for the land and its history was palpable. The tour began with a walk through the olive grove, where we learned about the different olive varieties and the meticulous care that goes into nurturing each tree. The owner shared fascinating insights into the history of olive oil, the significance of the term “extra virgin,” and the intricate process of producing their certified olive oils.
As we strolled through the grove, I was reminded of the many road trips I had taken in my youth, where each stop was an opportunity to learn something new and connect with the land. The farm’s commitment to preserving its heritage and sharing it with visitors resonated deeply with me. It was a reminder of the importance of cherishing and preserving the stories of the past for future generations.
A Taste of Tradition
The tour concluded with a guided tasting of the farm’s olive oils and balsamic vinegar reductions. This hands-on experience allowed us to appreciate the nuances of flavor and the nutritional importance of olive oil. As I savored each taste, I couldn’t help but reflect on the simple joys of life and the beauty of connecting with the land and its bounty.
The Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm is more than just a stop along the road; it’s a journey into the heart of Georgia’s rich history and a celebration of the land’s enduring legacy. For those who, like me, find joy in the open road and the stories it holds, this farm offers a unique and enriching experience that will linger in your heart long after you’ve left its gates.
Sample our Oils
Our EVOO’s are FRESH and PURE
At Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm we allow our customers to sample our international award winning certified-premium extra-virgin olive oils prior to making a purchasing decision at our facility. More importantly, we proudly display all the olive oil chemistry which ensures us and our customers that our EVOO’s are FRESH and PURE. In addition to the chemical analysis of each EVOO, we also display sensory ratings (Bitterness, Fruitiness, Pungency) on all our EVOO’s. Unfortunately, the current regulations on extra-virgin olive oil are extremely loose and therefore the majority of so called “extra-virgin olive oils” found in big-box grocery stores and “specialty” shops are not the real deal. On our website link we present in-depth information on each of the olive oil chemistries as well as exceeding all world standards of a truly premium EVOO. The vast majority of “extra-virgin olive oils” being a blend of a small percent EVOO and the remainder Canola, Grape Seed, or Safflower oils, it is hard to tell if one cannot sample prior to purchase. Purchasing our EVOO is the real deal.
The start: Use an obscure glass preventing your view (or not look at the color) of the oil so you don’t make the mistake of pre-judging the flavor or quality based on the oil’s color. Swirl the glass three times, smell, swirl again, smell and take a small sip. Allow the oil to coat your mouth. Then, form your lips as if around a straw and take three “sips” of air. Tasting olive oil is similar to tasting wine. And just like wine, olive oil has a variety of flavors and aromas. High-end extra virgin olive oil should taste like fresh herbs and fruit, with a range of profiles from delicate to complex. In contrast, low quality oil just tastes like oil.
The Taste
To taste olive oil, sniff to identify aromas, slurp noisily to emulsify the oil, and swallow to take note of which flavors you taste. The flavors emitted through extra virgin olive oils are determined by many factors, including the type of olives used, the ripeness of the olives, the growing conditions and how the oil is stored. As you taste, explore and identify the fruitiness, bitterness and pungency (or pepperiness) of the oil. As you taste, ask yourself is the aroma pleasant or unpleasant? Is the aroma mild, strong, or somewhere in the middle? How does the aroma compare to other oils? What three words would you use to describe the oil’s aroma? Can you sense bitterness on the back of your tongue? What’s the intensity of said bitterness? When you swallow the oil, how does it feel in your throat? Does it make you cough, or does it sting? This is a good start to the process of tasting EVOO.
Our tour is a Featured Adventure Visit
See our story in 2023 south Magazine Spring/Summer edition;: The welcome sign to this olive farm claims to have the “World’s Best Olive Oil” and in terms of extra virgin olive oil, they might just be correct. Take a tour through 300 acres of olive groves and even learn about freshwater wildlife from the ponds on site. Tasting the olive oil is also part of the experience. Learn how to taste olive oil (similar to wine tasting) and become familiar with the unique differences found in real extra virgin olive oil versus the oils sold at big box stores. Take home a bottle of their award-winning olive oil and wow your friends with your new knowledge!
Take a adventure travel olive grove tour through 300 acres of olive groves and even learn about freshwater wildlife from the ponds on site. Located in the Savannah area the Olive oil tastings is also part of the experience. Learn how to taste olive oil (similar to wine tasting) and become familiar with the unique differences found in real extra virgin olive oil versus the oils sold at big box stores. Take home a bottle of their award-winning olive oil and wow your friends with your new knowledge!
Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm an International Destination
As Seen in Veronika's World Travel Guide 2024
a network of passionate travelers , and writers whose goal is to bring you, our readers the best travel experiences from around the world. From our city and country guides (120 and counting) to our experience reviews we hope to introduce you to experiences that you might not have know.
"Feast & Field" national Magazine Highlights our farm
Take in the views and taste the fresh-pressed olive oil at this picturesque olive farm
Who knew? Georgia is producing some of the best olive oils. Some of the best olive oil doesn’t hail from the picturesque groves of Italy or Greece, but instead from American soil, right here in the South. Chefs and gastronomes search the world over for the finest high-quality oil and, surprisingly, discover that some of the very best comes from olives grown in southern Georgia.
As seen in "FEAST & FIELD" NATIONAL MAGAZINE
Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm, Glennville, Georgia
Great news: Throughout the country, the olive harvest has begun, and now’s the perfect time to experience an expert-led olive oil tasting. Olive oil tasting is both fun and educational — and don’t forget delicious.
Even if you’re not a professional chef, it’s interesting to learn the subtle differences in types, processes and uses of the various olive oils on the market. Here are four olive farms around the United States where you can taste, tour and shop online for this favorite kitchen staple. complete story here
Woodpecker Trail Olive one of four olive farms to tour in the US
Award Winning Olive Grove Consultations in Georgia
Consultations on various aspects of olive orchard establishment and management
Consultations on various aspects of olive orchard establishment and management
Consultations on various aspects of olive orchard establishment and management
Including planning, planting, pruning, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting. We are available for on-site property evaluations and meetings at Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm, working on both large and small-scale projects.
Topics included
Consultations on various aspects of olive orchard establishment and management
Consultations on various aspects of olive orchard establishment and management
GENERAL OLIVE TREE INFO
OLIVE TREE CONSULTATION SERVICES
OLIVE TREE CARE
OPTIMUM CLIMATE AND OLIVE VARIETIES
THE BEST TIME TO PLANT OLIVE TREES
COMPLEMENTARY PLANTING
PLANTING OLIVE TREES IN A POT
ORCHARD IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
OLIVE VARIETIES
PROBLEMS, PESTS AND DISEASES
ADDITIONAL OLIVE TREE FARMING RESOURCES
Workshops
Consultations on various aspects of olive orchard establishment and management
Workshops
This consultation is an active workshop on olive farm sustainability.
RATE: $375 for 4/hrs.
Letters to the farm
What a surprise!
REAL REVIEWS FROM REAL SHOPPERS: "Great Olive Oil: We were at a villa in Italy that has olive trees and the owner served us some recently pressed oil from her trees and it was wonderful with a fresh peppery taste. My first-time tasting Woodpecker Trail Olive Oil reminded of that oil in Italy, hard to believe it comes from South Georgia. I recommend this oil for dipping fresh sourdough or Italian bread in or serving with fresh home-grown North Georgia tomatoes in the summer. "