The majority of the olives for “Finca Arboleda Extra Virgin Olive Oil” are grown on site but are supplemented with a few from immediate neighbours. We need 1 tonne of olives to obtain our own single press at the ‘Almazara’ (olive press) co-operative at Lubrin, we had 1377Kgs in 2011. To qualify as Extra Virgin the olives must be cold pressed, around 32ºc, within 72 hours of picking. We only use olives that have been organically fertilised and never sprayed, no fallers are used. We call on friends and guests to help with the picking which each day centres around a good lunch. In 2011 we picked 760Kg of olives which yielded 195 litres of oil, our best ever.
The olives are tipped into a large container and then taken by conveyor belt to the cleaning processes.The olives are blown free of leaves, washed and then the exciting bit comes when the weight of the crop is displayed. The press at Lubrin only deals with Extra Virgin Oil. The atmosphere at the press is very good and we also always seem to arrive on a lovely sunny day. It takes about an hour for the pressing of the olives and new customers are arriving all the time; we take this as an opportunity to walk into the beautiful village and have a coffee/drink and ‘tostada’. Now refreshed, we head back to the mill where our oil is flowing from the press and have a quick taste. The press at Lubrin only deals with this 1st pressing, the remaining pulp and stone are sold on to another press which uses it for lower quality oil or animal feed.
The oil is then ready for bottling which we do ourselves into plastic containers. We pay for the pressing and the bottles, work out how much oil we each have and look forward to next harvest.
The oil from 2011 is without a doubt our best ever. It's available in 250, 500 and 750ml
bottles and of course in bulk. Why not come and join us for the next harvest, it's rewarding and great fun!
