September Is Coming: Getting Ready for the Harvest in Trás-os-Montes
- Azeite a Norte Blog
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Harvest doesn't arrive until October, but September is far from a quiet month. This is when the mills of Trás-os-Montes get ready to receive the new olives — and it's also the best time to start planning your visit, before the year's busiest season fills up.
At the mills, it's maintenance time. Once a campaign ends, usually in January or February, a quieter period follows — ideal for deep cleaning and equipment maintenance before everything runs at full capacity again in October. It's quiet, behind-the-scenes work, but essential to the quality of the oil that comes out of the mill a few months later.
In the groves, producers are watching the weather. The quality and volume of the October-to-December harvest depend heavily on rainfall and temperatures in the months before — as seen with the 2025/2026 campaign, affected by a dry summer. September is when that uncertainty finally starts to resolve.
And there are rules to follow. Azeite de Trás-os-Montes has held Protected Designation of Origin status since 1996, which requires specific conditions for picking, transport, and processing — part of what sets this oil apart from generic production.
Why plan now
October to December is the most sought-after time of year for anyone wanting to take part in the harvest — and the one that requires booking furthest ahead. If you haven't picked your dates yet, now's the time: check our guide What to Expect from the Harvest or the 5-day itinerary for couples, and explore the available olive oil tourism experiences.
Write to info@azeiteanorte.com or use the contact form to secure your spot before the season fills up.
The olive oil of Trás-os-Montes can't be explained. It has to be tasted.
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