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Olive oil is becoming increasingly important for agrotourism in Spain. Knowing how an olive oil mill works, buying directly from the producer, tasting handmade liquid gold…
Spain has 30 Denominations of Origin for olive oil and is the world’s leading producer with nearly 340 million olive trees. In addition, natural antioxidants and fatty acids make it a very healthy food.
Here are some of the best tours in the Valencian Community and Andalusia. The good life in Spain has a special flavour.
(If you combine this plan with a tour of the traditional ceramic producers, you have the perfect plan!).
Olive oil in the Valencian Community
The Mediterranean climate of this area of Spain is perfect for olive growing and agrotourism. Morruda, Cornicabra, Arbequina, Blanqueta… Relax, these are just some varieties of olives and, if you pay attention, you will be able to try them all.
Rontonar Mill
In the hillside of the Sierra de Aitana, in Alicante, you will find the perfect environment for Rontonar’s organic olive oil. At 800 meters above sea level, the Mediterranean climate provides a characteristic taste to the liquid gold of this area.
Alfafarenca, Mançanella and Blanqueta are the varieties grown here. In addition, the Slow Food project in Valencia supports its production to avoid the extinction of this food, caring about workers’ livelihoods and farming systems.
We love it because they don’t use any synthetic chemicals or artificial irrigation. As natural as life itself.
Peset Mill
Peset’s oil is special: it is the only company in the world that recovers abandoned millenary olive trees. That alone makes them worth visiting, don’t you think? Oh! As if that weren’t enough, they also have the largest olive tree in the world.
They extract oil of the Farga variety, which is of limited production, from the 150 trees that have been recovered. More than 2,000 years later, the mill continues to give life to the antique oil brought by the Phoenicians and the Greeks.
We love the tasting room in the natural heart of Traiguera, in Baix Maestrat. As a bonus, stay at the Thiar Julia house. Even Philip II of Spain chose this place to stay!
El Tendre
This mill in Elche (Alicante) is only 6 km away from the Mediterranean sea and was founded in 1839. Six generations have worked to keep it alive. Although it uses the latest technology for production, this company remains faithful to traditional production techniques.
The Oil Museum of this company is a perfect place for learning. Antique utensils, presses, tradition… El Tendre olive oil brings all this together. All you need to do is taste it… Try and resist buying all the bottles!
Olive oil in Andalusia
Andalusia has twelve protected designations of origin for its olive oils. Andalusian olive groves are a hallmark of the area. Not tasting the Andalusian olive oil should be a crime!
LA Organic Experience
Olive oil can also be modern. LA Organic Experience, in Ronda (Málaga), defines itself as “an experiential, sustainable and gastronomic olive oil tourism project. It makes you want to experience it, doesn’t it?
You will spend forty-five minutes in a guided tour through 26 hectares of land, getting to know the natural environment with a luxury ending: an organic oil tasting. Don’t miss out on any variety of liquid gold!
What’s the best part? You can stay at the Cortijo Los Azules. Relaxation was invented here.
Begíjar Mill
The olive groves of Jaén are the best representation of olive oil in Spain. And what better way to get to know them than by becoming an olive grower for a day? A lot of bread seasoned with olive oil is guaranteed as a reward.
In the town of Begíjar you will find Oleícola San Francisco. It was the first touristic olive oil mill in Andalusia and has already received more than 30,000 visitors from around 50 countries.
Wear comfortable clothes, use traditional tools and experience the work of olive growers in the olive grove. You will see that production of oil in Jaén has a lot of work behind it. This activity is done during the harvest months, from October to January, so you still have time to get ready!
Molino del Hortelano Olive Oil Mill
In the Antequera region you will find this mill that preserves an old stone mill from the 18th century. The Cabello Montiel family produces a high quality extra virgin olive oil.
What we like most about the visit is the ‘desayuno molinero’ or ‘miller breakfast’. Grilled toasted bread + local oil. What more do you need?
Afterwards, you can enjoy a walk in the natural surroundings, such as the viewpoint of the Zambra Tower, an Arab watchtower from the 12th century.
As you can see, Spanish olive oil is much more than just a salad dressing. Can you imagine living near these mills and taking an olive oil tour whenever you want? At Sonneil we offer you exclusive homes in the best areas of Malaga and Alicante.
Continue discovering the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca in our blog.
