Division 5.1 Specificity of the geographical area

The production area of ‘Chianti Classico’ oil has specific climatic and hydrological characteristics and has been well mapped out since the 14th century.

The production area is fairly uniform in terms of terrain and climate; autumns which are on average mild and dry give way to hard winters. The environment as a whole is such that olive trees can be cultivated at the limit of their natural growth zone, which has and indeed continues to influence the olives’ fructification and maturing process.

According to the cultivation techniques which have always been used in this area, the olives are harvested directly from the tree before they are fully mature.

The thermal conditions also determine the shape of the trees (normally branching out at the top) adopted by the local growers, which allows the crown to grow so as to better distribute light and heat in the crown, which help the trees develop during short periods of the year.