Frantoio Manestrini

Olive mill in the hills of the Valtènesi with tours, olive oil tasting, picnics under olive trees and a bistro.

Editorial selection, no paid placement

The Manestrini olive mill is in Soiano del Lago, in the hills of the Valtènesi above the south-west shore of Lake Garda. From the middle of the 14th century to the end of the 18th, a Franciscan monastery dedicated to Saint Roch stood on this site; according to the business, stone structures on the grounds show that olives were already being pressed back then. In 1960 Egidio Manestrini founded a new olive mill here, and today it is run by his daughter Nicoletta Manestrini, a trained olive oil taster.

The business produces extra virgin olive oil from the varieties typical of Lake Garda, Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino and Casaliva, including oil bearing the designation Garda Bresciano DOP. Harvesting runs from the end of October into December, by hand or with hand rakes, and the olives are processed within 24 hours of delivery. The mill works with four closed stainless-steel malaxer tanks, which are meant to protect the oil from oxidation.

Visitors get to know the mill on a guided tour with tasting: first the olive grove and production, then a guided tasting of the house's various oils. On request an aperitivo with wine and specialities from the Valtènesi follows, or you can book a picnic basket for the shade of the old olive trees, also in a version for children. At the Oilbar & Bistrò there are simple, seasonal dishes during the day, with the oil at the centre.

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What makes it special

Olive mill on the site of a medieval Franciscan monastery.
In family hands since 1960, now run by a trained olive oil taster.
Olives processed within 24 hours of delivery.
Tours with tasting, optionally with an aperitivo or a picnic under olive trees.
Garda Bresciano DOP in its own range.

Illustrative image: the pictures show typical scenes, not Frantoio Manestrini itself.

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Sources and image credits

Images: AI-generated illustrative images by the editorial team. They show typical scenes, not specific houses or people. Details verified on 9 October 2026.