I received an email from the folks at Durant at Red Ridge Farms about their Olio Nuovo Festival next month. Durant happens to be Oregon’s only commercial olive mill, founded in 2008 in Dayton, right there in the Willamette wine country. Back during Salad Week I spent some time in the wine country, which was stunning and full deliciousness—and is closer to Portland than I originally thought.
I find the idea of a monthlong olive oil festival really appealing, and I am here to tell you about what’s going on in November at Durant in celebration of this liquid gold.
A Bit About Durant
They started out in 1973—over 50 years ago—focusing on wine, and are known for their Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Brut, and Pinot Noir wines. They founded their olive mill 35 years later, and they have 15 acres of olive trees and a state-of-the-art Italian olive mill. Their grounds also include gardens, hedges, and plenty of rosemary, lavender, and other herbs.
In 2025, Durant’s olive oil was ranked number 9 in the world by the Olive Oil Times.
The 16th Annual Olio Nuovo Festival
This is Durant’s 16th year doing this festival, as a way to celebrate the first olive oil pressing each year at the estate. Along with the oil itself, there will be Italian-inspired food and wine pairings, and “seasonal culinary experiences,” which they hope will encourage you to relax and enjoy their olive oil, wine, and food in the estate’s bucolic surroundings…