Vodnjan Oil Mill: processing olives since 1911

Modern olive processing at Vodnjan Oil Mill dates back to 1911. For decades the site also accepted fruit from growers across southern Istria, giving it a role beyond the production of a single brand.

An 1885 building and hydraulic machinery from 1911

The mill building dates from 1885, when olives were processed by hand. Hydraulic machinery was installed in 1911, which the mill uses as the starting point of its modern production history. The equipment was upgraded several times in later decades. A refurbishment completed in 2021 adapted the historic building to contemporary production machinery.

Crops from other growers

In 2020, almost one thousand growers were reported to have brought their crop to Vodnjan Oil Mill. A report from 2022 still recorded this contract milling function after the production site was modernised. Those figures explain the mill's wider importance, but do not establish the terms for the current harvest. Before bringing in olives, confirm whether outside crops are being accepted, how a slot is arranged and which conditions apply that season.

Two phase processing without unnecessary delay

The refurbishment completed in 2021 introduced new production equipment. For its own crop, Terra Eno Olea states that the fruit is processed within a few hours of harvest in a continuous two phase system at 24 to 25 °C. Speed alone cannot guarantee good oil, but prompt processing avoids holding sound, freshly harvested fruit longer than necessary.

The mill, the producer and the brand

Terra Eno Olea is the current legal name of the former Agroprodukt company, while Salvela is the brand used for olive oils produced at the mill. Flos Olei scored the producer Terra Eno Olea 96 out of 100 in every edition from 2020 through 2026; the score does not automatically apply to every bottle. The map on this page marks the production mill in Trgovačka Street. Retail sales and tastings are covered on the Salvela profile. Contract milling or a visit to the production site should be arranged in advance.

Distance from Bale: 12 minutes driving (11.1 km)

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

Address: Trgovačka ulica, 52215 Vodnjan, Istria, Croatia

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