La Masseria is a farm just outside the city limits of Sorrento. You can take a tour and see how the operation works and experience and taste the things produced here. They will teach you how to harvest and press olives into oil, pick and prune lemons for eating and making the famous liquor (limoncello) and the struggle to sustain the way of life they have had for centuries.

The Olives

I love olives and eat them all the time and I also use olive oil many times a week. I never gave much thought to where they come from and work involved in growing them.

Nets are set up at the base to catch the olives, actually a pretty creative setup.

At the base of the tree cabbage is grown. It is a good companion planting with the olives.

The Lemons

Lemon trees are a delicate thing. Cross hatch beams are built around them so you can inspect and trim as needed. When lemons are picked you slowly twist and not just pull so that the flowers can regrow quickly and produce again.

Over the winter months screens are placed over top the lemon trees to protect them from heavy winds and hail.

Limoncello

This drink is a big deal in Southern Italy, it is everywhere. It is a strong yet smooth and sweet beverage with an intense lemon flavor. It can be sipped on its own, mixed into sparkling water, or shaken into cocktails.

It is simple to make:

• Put lemon peels into vodka let sit for a few days to a month

• Strain and mix in sugar syrup.

• Throw it the fridge before serving or just add ice.

The Property

It is small and simple meaning it is not a 1000 acre farm stretching to the horizon. It is maybe 10-15 acres and you can see the neighbors small farms all around and it is actually in a neighborhood.

They grow many things and it was great to learn about the way olives and lemons work since I have not seen that before.

La Messeria is a great place to visit and learn about small farming in Italy. You get a real sense of how the farm to table experience works and meet some great people. The whole family is involved as they have for generations and mama even cooks for you at the end. I strongly recommend a visit here, it was entertaining, informative and delicious.

La Masseria is just 10.2km from downtown Sorrento.