Durant Celebrates Their 17th Annual Olio Nuovo Festival in Dayton This Month

Back again this year, Durant’s 17th Annual Olio Nuovo Festival started this past Sunday, November 1 and goes until the end of the month. This is a celebration of the first olive oil of the season, expressed in festivities of all kinds––olive mill tours, seasonal meals, tastings, the Food & Wine Pavilion, chef demonstrations, and more.

Here’s how you can enjoy olive oil grown right here in Oregon.

Durant’s Olio Nuovo Festival: How It Started

I was curious about how this all started—I mean, olives‽ Isn’t this wine country? Well, the wine presence definitely had a part in bringing this festival to life.

“When we first planted 2,000 olive trees back in 2005, we were looking for a way to diversify beyond the wine industry,” explained Durant’s owner, Paul Durant. “We wanted to offer visitors something unique that they couldn’t experience at a typical Willamette Valley winery. We saw an opportunity to do something different and push the boundaries of what was possible in Oregon agriculture.”

I would say they have been successful in offering those visitors something special and unique.

He continued, “Olives and wine grapes actually share a lot of similarities in how they reflect the land and climate where they’re grown, so it felt like a natural fit. Of course, growing olives in Oregon came with its challenges, and there wasn’t really a roadmap to follow. It took a lot of experimentation, patience and a willingness to take risks. But that’s what made it exciting!”

He added, “More than 20 years later, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how far we’ve come and to introduce people to Oregon-grown olive oil right here in the heart of wine country.”

The Inspiration for Durant’s Olio Nuovo Festival

I asked the organizers what their inspiration was for this annual festival of olive oil. “It was inspired by the traditional festa that celebrates the bounty of the olive harvest and the production of vibrant new olive oil,” explained Paul. “‘Olio nuovo’ is Italian for ‘new,’ or ‘freshly milled oil.’ As Oregon’s only commercial olive oil mill, Durant wanted to bring this time-honored tradition to the Pacific Northwest, offering a unique celebration that connects the Willamette Valley to Italian agricultural practices.”

He added, “This year marks our 17th annual celebration, and we love how this European tradition has taken root in Oregon wine country.”

I have fond memories of the celebratory vibe around the time of the first pressing of new oil at the now-shuttered Frantoio Ristorante in Mill Valley. It really is something to make a big deal about.

Durant’s Olio Nuovo Festival: Why it Has Lasted

So why does this festival have such staying power? “I think the festival offers something truly unique,” said Paul. “It’s not every day that you get to experience freshly milled olive oil right where it’s grown and produced, especially here in Oregon. There’s something special about celebrating the harvest and sharing that first taste of olio nuovo with our community.”

He continued, “Over the years, the festival has grown into a tradition for many families and visitors who return each November. We’re always finding new ways to make the experience exciting, but at its heart, it’s really about bringing people together to celebrate the harvest, good food, great wine and the agricultural bounty of the Willamette Valley.”

Durant’s 17th Annual Olio Nuovo Festival: How You Can Celebrate

As I mentioned, the festival started this past Sunday, when Durant welcomed guests to its Dayton estate to focus on their olive oil. There are daily events and weekend events all November.

Daily Events | Weekend Events

Olio Nuovo Mill Tours

Durant offers daily guided tours of Oregon’s only olioteca (olive oil mill and tasting room) throughout the month. This is a behind-the-scenes look where you get to see the olive mill, and learn more about what it takes to grow olives in the PNW.

Note: For your safety, if the mill is running (it may not run during each tour), it will be blocked off while it and any large equipment are running. That said, you’ll still be able to see the operation from a distance.

As a part of the tour, you’ll get to taste the fresh olio nuovo. Hours are Monday to Friday at 11am; Saturday and Sundays at 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm. Tours are free, but reservations are required—you can make them here.

Self-Guided Olive Oil Tasting

When you visit the Durant Farm Shop, you can go on a self-guided exploration of the different flavors of their freshly milled extra virgin olive oil.

“Sample each olive variety, side-by-side, exploring the unique flavor characteristics found in the various olive cultivars.” You can also get cooking and pairing advice from Durant’s educated staff members. This is an opportunity to buy Durant extra virgin olive oil in the place where it’s made. Sizes range from small gift bottles to full gallon sizes. Free admission.

Saturday, November 7, 14, and 21
Feast Olio

From noon to 2:30pm on select Saturdays in November, this is a mix of a tour and a meal. It’s $175 per person.

You start with an exclusive tour of the Durant Olive Mill—while sipping Durant Vineyards sparkling wine (yes, they also make wine on the Durant estate). After that, there’s an elevated seven-course olive oil-centric Italian supper with wine pairings, prepared by Durant’s resident chefs, Eric Bartle and Sara Kundelius.

Seating is limited. Reservations are available here.

Saturday and Sunday, November 7 & 8, 14 & 15, and 21 & 22
Oeno & Olio Tasting

At 11am each weekend day, this is a tasting event. It’s $75 per person.

Oeno (Latin for “wine”), is paired with olio (“oil” in Italian) for special tastings. You’ll enjoy a fun communal tasting of Durant estate grown and crafted wines alongside Durant extra virgin olive oils, while you partake of fresh bruschetta.

Seatings are limited. Reservations are available here.

Saturday and Sunday, November 7 & 8, 14 & 15, and 21 & 22
Olio Food & Wine Pavilion

From 10am to 4pm each weekend day, this is a mix of live music, wine, and cuisine from local restaurants. It’s free to attend.

Enjoy music, food, and wine for purchase in their heated (nice) Food & Wine Pavilion at the Durant Tasting Room. Fresh oysters will be available during the final weekend of the festival. No reservations required.

Sunday, November 15
Community Mill Day

At 10am you’ll find great community vibes as smaller growers bring their olives to combine into eventual unique Extra Virgin. olive oil. It is described as a “hands-on experience.” Free to attend.

“Inspired by traditional community milling days in the Mediterranean, this event is designed for small-scale growers who don’t meet the 1,000-pound minimum for Custom Milling—all you need is just 2 gallons of olives!” Reservations are available here.

Saturday and Sunday, November 28 & 29
Olio Grand Finale

From 10am to 4pm on the final weekend of the month, this is a joyous celebration—-oysters, new wine, Extra Virgin olive oil, a holiday vendor market, live music by Steve Adams, and more.

This is the grand finale of the Olio Nuovo Festival and a kick-off the holiday season. Particularly notable is their Oysters & Olio—freshly shucked oysters drizzled with olio. There will be two new Durant Vineyards sparkling wines, the 2021 Blanc de Blanc and 2023 Brut, available by the glass or bottle.

Look for food from Lemon & Olive, Caravan Coffee, Good Company Cheese & Wine Shop, and Soup Meets Soul.

On Sunday, here will be a Chef Demonstration by Lane Selman, founder of the Culinary Breeding Network (they’ve also been involved with the Quince Fest and Tomato Fest). She’s gotten a lot of deserved positive attention for her recent book on radicchio (I bought a copy last weekend and am enjoying it quite a bit).

They’ve also planned a “progressive holiday marketplace” situated throughout the olive mill and farm shop. There you’ll find local vendors offering unique gifts, artisan culinary goods, holiday décor and more. On the food side, they include Al-Xile (chile crunch), Marshall’s Haute Sauce, Chio (pistachio butter), Portland Caramel Co., and Esotico Pasta.

Plus, pics with Santa in the olive mill—really very much a family-friendly outing.

You can find more granular details over on the festival page.

And on the Topic of the Holidays: Winter Plant and Flower Market

Durant’s nursery and greenhouses will become a a winter plant and flower market that is free to enter. There, you’ll find fresh-cut olive branches from the Durant orchard, olive crowns, and holiday wreathes featuring olive footage. You can also learn how to make greenery and holiday decor during their free demonstrations.

You’ll also find seasonal plants for the home, gifts for the gardeners in your life, and more.

“Every harvest brings something a little different to the oil, which is what makes olio nuovo so exciting,” said Paul Durant. “This is the moment when the oil is at its freshest and most vibrant, and we love sharing that experience through tastings, food and the many ways people can explore the mill during the festival. November is a special time to see what the harvest has produced and enjoy it at its peak.”

I hope you’ll have a chance to head down there this year for the 17th Annual Olio Nuovo Festival!

Durant’s 17th Annual Olio Nuovo Festival
Durant Olive Mill, Durant at Red Ridge Farms
5700 NE Breyman Orchards Rd, Dayton
November 1 to 30, 2026
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