The olive oil mill: "Le Verdalet" opened in July 2009.
Located on the D 255 - Brujas Road, between Bessas and Brujas, you will be able to taste the different varieties of oils from the estate, as well as get guided tours of the facility and the olive groves from the "la Fontaine du Muletier" estate.
Phone: +33 6 15 98 05 46 or +33 4 75 38 66 23 (no english spoken)
Email: fontainedumuletier@gmail.com (written english understood)
The olive oil mill is open for oil production from late October to late December (dates can vary depending on the season).
Before bringing your olives to the mill, it is strongly recommended to make an appointment by phone (06.15.98.05.46) at least 2 days in advance or when you begin picking your olives.
Starting from 100 to 150 kilos inputs, you can get your own olive oil. Below this amount, your olives will be integrated into a small batch from which you will obtain oil in proportion to your contribution.
Do not forget to bring your own containers (clean) preferably stainless steel or food-grade plastic.
The olives are received every day from 17.00 to 19.00.
The « la Fontaine du Muletier » estate is located over the communes of Bessas and Vagnas (Ardeche). It includes an olive grove comprising 1,000 trees spread over several plots in a 2 km radius around the olive oil mill « Le Verdalet ».
The grove is cultivated without irrigation; it is being converted to organic agriculture since 2010. In 2013, the entire production will be grown organically and the first varieties to be sold under the organic label will come from the 2013 harvest.
The main varieties are:
In the shop, it is possible to taste a dozen different oils: mono-varietal or resulting from assemblages, with an intense fruity taste or a subtle taste.
Tasting and tour of the mill are free and available every day outside of the oil production period (from mid-October to late December).
For a visit of the olive groves, it is best to make an appointment by phone (06.15.98.05.46).
Olive oil bottles and cans:
Tasting boxes:
Perfumed oils:
Olive crates waiting to be processed:
Olives before washing:
Olives after washing:
Olive washer, Grinder and mixer:
Olives going to the grinder:
Mixing of the olive paste:
Mixer and drum centrifuge:
Horizontal drum centrifuge:
Oil obtained from the drum centrifuge:
Final separator:
First batch of olive oil made on the 28 October 2009:
Shop, tasting and selling:
The new oil mill in 2023 :
The Mill and Bessas:
Village of Bessas from the mill:
North view from the mill:
Vineyards and olive trees:
Young olive trees grove:
Flowering olive trees:
Old olive trees:
Old olive trees on terrace lands:
Hand picking of olives from the tree:
Picking of olives with vibrating comb on young trees:
Mature olives before picking:
Hand picking in sunny weather:
Ready to press 'picholine' olives:
Mature 'rougette' olives:
Mill in the fall:
Olive tree at dusk:
Land in July 2006, with only the foundations and steel frame:
Masonry works in July 2008:
Jointed stone cladding finished in August 2008:
Arrival and installation of the Rapanelli press in May 2009:
Final finishes in July 2009, installation of signs:
Open door operation for the inauguration from 26th to 28th July 2009:
Mill in June 2010:
Extension of the building in June 2011:
Finishes to the extension in July 2011:
For more information on olives, please go to the afidol website, french oil association:
You can find recipes to use your oil and your olives in two booklets published by Afidol, available for free download on the website: 'Huiles et olives'.
© Copyright 2009-2023 "Marc CHEYREZY", all rights reserved
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