Exceptional olive oil from an exceptional place

The Alentejo is the heartland of Portugal, spanning the largest area, but with the fewest people. The rolling plains and warm dry climate are ideal for olive cultivation. The large Alqueva lake providing irrigation, and the limestone earth which retains water so well, has allowed this region to avoid the recent droughts experienced in Spain. This is a region famous for cork forests, black pigs, millennia-old monoliths and pristine wild beaches. It's not uncommon to meet a farmer whose family has been producing olive oil for several generations using traditional methods and rightfully proud of their sustainable methods.

Trás-os-Montes translates to "behind the mountains". This area, tucked away in the far northeast of the country, is characterized by rocky, mountainous terrain, and is exceedingly difficult to get to. There are microclimates from valley to valley, occaisonal freezes in the winter, all of which leads to unpredictable harvests and unpredictable olive oils! The small farms that dot the steep terrain are proud of their organic practices, and produce some of the most intense and sweet olive oils in the country. Almost none of it is exported.

In the center of the country, Ribatejo lies along the fertile banks of the Tagus river. From its wetlands and riverbanks to forests and plains, Ribatejo is home to a huge variety of biodiversity. This region is perhaps the oldest olive growing region in the country, dating back to the Romans, and many of the thousand year old olive trees still dot the land. Closer to the ocean, and the famous waves of Nazaré and moist ocean breezes, Ribatejo produces olive oils famous for balancing sweetness and bitterness.

In the interior of the country, Beira lies at elevation, leading to slower ripening olives, and more complex flavors. The region’s granitic and schistous soils contribute to the deep green and robust olive oils, with notable spiciness and off the chart polyphenols. With a medieval castle on just about every hilltop, this region also boasts the Serra da Estrela mountain range, the only place in Portugal you can ski! Besides olive oil, the region is also famous for it's Dao wine and high quality “Burel” wool.

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