Pakoštane - the place of golden olive oils

There is almost no house in the Pakoštane region that does not have an olive tree growing in its yard, and almost no family that diligently collects ripe fruits and turns them into finished olive oil. And when we add that the inherited olive groves are carefully nurtured and preserved, the fruits are collected, and the oils are sent to competitions, it is easy to conclude that the Pakoštane region can rightly be called an olive oil destination. Pakoštane olive growers have been awarded multiple times for producing 'liquid gold' at various competitions, and this year, we can conclude that everything was about the oil of the Pakoštane region at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition. Namely, the 'Magnificent 7' returned to their homeland with six gold and one silver medal, thus turning the people of Pakoštane into the Destination of golden olive oils.

The Pakoštane oil production team represented in America consisted of Vinko Lalin with Dalma Premium oil (OPG Lalin), Branka and Slavo Stojanov (OPG Didini vrtovi) with Oblica oil from didinih vrtova, Mario Barešić Ćićo with Skipper oil (Obrt "Skipper Drage") Tomislav Čudina with Olea Viola oil (OPG Čelini), Ante Lokin with Oblica oil (OPG Ćaće moga), Ante Vulin with Antino ulje oil (OPG Ante Vulin) and Sebastijan Adžić with Leut oil (Leut grupa doo). All olive growers went to America to present themselves, showing in fine oils the uniqueness of the land, the sun, and the love for the olive.

"We are proud that the oil from our region has been recognised in the world and that our hard work and dedication have been rewarded," says Slavo Stojanov from the Didini vrtovi family farm, which, as its name suggests, unites centuries-old olive groves that have been inherited but also refreshed by new generations. With this label comes award-winning, extra-virgin oils of top quality, produced in an environmentally sustainable manner, the quality of which is recognized and praised by both experts and numerous gastronomes.

The first traces of olive growing here are not written in books – they are hidden under the waves. On Janice Beach, under the blue of the sea, lie the remains of an ancient port. Olive pits were found here, witnesses to ancient times. When sailors docked in the port, protected from the winds by land and a natural reef, and today hidden on the seabed, they transported oil and olive fruits to distant lands. Don Luka Jelić was the first to write about the archaeological potential of this location, highlighting the port as a possible ancient port of the city of Asseria. And centuries later, the Vrana Code of 1454, which represents a collection of customary law for the wider Vrana area, provides the first written record of olive growing in this region. Through its articles, it is clear that agriculture, olive growing, and viticulture were the primary economic activities of this area. Here, the land has always been the basis of survival—the nurturer.

Today, olive growing is a vital branch of agriculture in this region, with beautiful and neat olive groves stretching throughout the area. The oldest olive groves in this area are in Modrava, the karst part of Draga, which was long considered the largest olive grove on the eastern coast of the Adriatic (there are more than 150,000 olive trees on an area of ​​about 1,500 hectares) with which olives were planted (people mostly took 'pelcers') and turned into wonderful olive groves. The most dominant variety is oblica or orkula, while other domestic varieties are lastovka, levantinka, and plavica. In this area, in addition to domestic varieties, Italian varieties such as leccino, pendolino, and frantoio are also grown. Olives are today harvested by hand or by machine, and fresh olive oil is also the only oil that can be consumed immediately after pressing. If stored properly, the oil preserves all the unchanged flavours, aromas and vitamins of the olive.

"The residents of the Pakoštane region have always been connected to the land. Our fertile fields require a lot of effort and work, and in return, they give us abundant gifts. Therefore, the high-quality olive oil of this region is a testament to the efforts of our people and the rich, fertile land. Pakoštane olive growers have been awarded numerous times for the production of their oil, which is served to guests daily through wonderful flavour combinations from our lush gardens, as well as from the fruitful sea and lakes that dominate this destination. In Pakoštane, everyone can enjoy wonderful food, a combination of tradition and modern knowledge, and eat healthily while experiencing the local produce in this destination. We are proud that the work of hardworking hands has been recognized and that, along with the many benefits that the destination offers, we also bear the title of the destination of golden extra virgin olive oils," says Danijela Vulin, director of the Pakoštane Tourist Board.foto: Nikola Zoko i TZ Pakoštane