PREPARATION FOR HARVEST AND MILLING
Olive harvest is getting closer, and we are very excited.
The mill is clean, the spare parts and replacement parts have arrived, and updates to the computer systems are completed. All the computer updates to our databases for documentation are ready to go. The centrifuge is balanced and ready to work. The technician from Pieralisi will be doing the final checklist with us in mid-September.
Our mill is one of the most modern and computerized in North America, but we still use some ancient but effective processes. The auger that moves the olives from the washer pit to the crusher is based on an ancient process used by the Babylonians and named after Archimedes – an Archimedes screw. This screw originally transferred water from a low-lying body of water into higher irrigation ditches. In our mill, it is used to transport olives after washing up and then into the crusher.
On to Olive Oil and Milling for 2018
Everyone is anticipating making great oil again this year. All our growers are calling in asking about volumes of olives and dates for milling. This year’s crop is uncharacteristically light; so, our milling schedule is wide open. Minimums are still 1000 lbs. to make the necessary volume for single producer oils. Many of our smaller growers will be coming in to community milling days. Call us if you have any questions. We are anticipating that we may be grouping small customers together for efficiency. We are setting aside the day before community milling for those who are not sure if they will meet the minimum 1000 lbs., or one very full macro bin. Crops that come up less than 1000 lbs. can then be included in community milling the following day. Everyone wants to make oil, and in a light fruit set year we want to help our family of growers. Last year, our community oil was certified as extra virgin AND won a Silver Medal at the California State Fair.
Oct 21 will be our Oktoberfest, great family fun and food and Community Milling. Lots of bratwurst and sausages. House-made sauerkraut and mustards. Beer cheese soup will warm everyone’s heart and soul. And Beer. Delicious. Beer. From Ruhstaller and Sonoma Springs. Maybe even a special beer from Scotland.
NEWS FLASH. This will also be the debut of our new film about milling at IL Fiorello. Produced by Epic Flight Films, the focus is on the milling of olives and the use of oil with food. There is no other film like it in the world. We are proud to work with Epic Flight and their talented crew.
DATES TO REMEMBER
October 21, 2018 Oktoberfest Celebration with Community Milling
November 25, 2018, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is our second Community Milling event with mill tours and complementary olive oil tastings.