DIVJA – Olive Oil, Woman & the Scent of the Sea

As a little girl picking olives, I would always climb high into the branches — even if that part was “for boys.” Tiny and wild, I’d return from the tree tangled but proud, with a smile wider than the horizon.

They used to call me all kinds of names — Ježa, because my hair stuck out like a hedgehog (croatian Jež), Muki, because I did all the things boys did (croatian Muško).

But one name stayed with me: Divja (WILD).

I didn’t know what it meant then. Now I do.

Divja, like the olive tree. When there is drought, it finds water. When you think it won’t survive – it thrives.

The more you prune it, the wilder it grows. Stubborn. Silent. Wise. Fertile.

Give it space – and it gives you everything.

In Greek mythology, when gods competed for who would rule Attica, Poseidon gave a horse, but Athena struck her spear into the ground — and an olive tree grew.

A gift that would feed, heal, warm, and bless humanity.

Since then, the olive tree became a symbol of wisdom, life, peace, light, fertility, health and resilience.

Its branches crowned kings and champions. Its oil lit homes and nourished generations.

In Dalmatia, where water was scarce and soil poor, it became life itself.

Now, as a woman who returned to the land, the scent of olive oil brings me back to myself.

Our trees are still a little wild. Just like me. And we want them that way.

That’s why our olive oil is named DIVJA — in honor of all the women who survived, who grew on their own terms, who never gave up.

How can you participate?

An olive tree is more than just a tree. It's a connection – between people, land, and time.

You can now plant an olive tree with us and become an olive tree sponsor.

For just €10 per tree, we will plant your tree on our farm.

After the first harvest, we’ll send you 1 liter of olive oil, and repeat this every year for the next 5 years.

Want to connect even more?

Join our Olive Picking Retreat in October and November.

3 days full of harvesting, homemade food, meaningful exchange and hands-on learning with us and our neighbors.

Help local farms, enjoy the beautiful autumn sun, and discover how olive oil is truly made.

Learn more & apply:

www.plameahvar.com/olive-picking-retreat

or email us at: vilalila.hvar@gmail.com

And something truly special…

Experience our Garden Gastronomy Dinner under the olive trees – an intimate farm-to-table event in our grove.

Enjoy seasonal dishes made with organic ingredients from our land and our neighbors, paired with local wine, shared at a long table beneath the stars.