Grubić olive oils in Bale: the historic olive oil mill and modern production

Closed. Opens on monday 09:00.

At Grubić in Bale, a glass wall separates the 1927 olive mill from modern equipment. Tours often start at an old Buža tree and end by tasting three oils.

Vallea, Buža and Rošinjola: three extra virgin olive oils

Vallea comes solely from the fruit of about 200 female Buža trees, each around four centuries old, and is the gentlest of the three oils. Grubić Buža is a blend of female Buža, male Buža and Puntoža, with slightly more pungency than bitterness. Rošinjola is a single-variety oil with stronger bitterness and pungency. Tasted side by side, these differences become clear, and the host suggests how each oil can be used with food.

Flos Olei scores rose from 94 points in 2024 to 96 in 2025 and 97 in 2026. In 2025, Grubić Buža won a Gourmet Bronze at the AVPA Huiles du Monde competition in Paris, in the light green fruitiness category.

Stari Torač and olive oil production today

The old mill is known locally as Stari Torač or Vecio Torcio. It operated from 1927 to 1965, then stood derelict for decades. The Grubić family restored the building and preserved the stone olive mill, presses and hydraulic pumps. A glass wall separates the historic plant from today's equipment, keeping both periods of production visible in the same building. Outside stands a female Buža tree about 400 years old, where most tours begin.

The family harvests its olives by hand at an early stage of ripeness, from the second half of September to around mid-October. The fruit reaches the processing line within four hours. After crushing, the paste is mixed under constant cooling at no more than 24 °C, then the oil goes straight into nitrogen-protected stainless-steel tanks. On an arranged tour during harvest, visitors can watch the modern mill at work and taste the new oil.

A taste before buying or a guided tour

All three oils can be tasted before purchase during shop hours. A guided tour is longer and covers the historic and modern mills, cultivation, harvest, processing, storage and the basics of sensory evaluation. Tours are available by prior arrangement throughout the year for individuals and groups of up to 40. Duration, language and price are confirmed when the visit is arranged.

Olive oil score in the Flos Olei guide: 2020 94, 2022 94, 2021 94, 2023 94, 2024 94, 2025 96, 2026 97

For: families, first time visitors

Address: Aldo Negri 7, 52211 Bale - Valle, Istria, Croatia

What to do: refreshments, food and drink

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