The most important moments in the history of the olive press include: • 1965: the press was founded, using traditional stone wheels for discontinuous (single-batch) pressing • 1982: installation of a continuous 3-phase olive press • 1998: official recognition of the DOP Garda sottozona Trentino classification and sole producer in this category until 2006. The Riva del Garda Agraria has itself been very active in the creation of DOP rules and regulations, and was the first as regards extra virgin olive oil production as presented at MIPAAF • 2005: the first year a harvest underwent selection of individual producers’ olive crops based on quality parameters of acidity and sensory analysis • 2006: first pressing in the new location of the olive press, together with the creation of a definite protocol for qualitative analysis of each individual batch of oil purchased for quality control and improvement. This protocol was made possible by the acquisition of “Foss” laboratory equipment in collaboration with the Italian Association of Olive Producers (AIPO) • 2007: plans were made for conversion to organic olive cultivation with 11 members of the cooperative • 2009: organic certification was achieved by the olive press • 2010: first production of organic olive oil • 2011: introduction of “Bag in Box” packaging for extra virgin olive oil, allowing for high quality conservation of all sensory qualities of the product together with convenient consumer packaging.
