Producer: Finca Durenas Olive Grove and Mill, Serrano-Lopez family

The olive mill located in the middle of the Serrano-Lopez-owned olive groves, in Cordoba, Spain ensures that the olives go from tree to pressing within hours of hand-harvesting. The estate is located in the Guadalquivir river valley, where the best olive oils have been produced for more than 2,000 years. This area has the best weather and geographical conditions for producing excellent olive oil. The special timing of the harvest, earlier than normal for the area and termed, “Everno,” when the olives are just turning from green to purple, ensure an oil that’s fresh with maximum flavor.

Area: Cordoba, Spain

Olive(s): 100% Picual

Harvest: First week of October

Harvest Method: Hand-picked

Extraction Method: Cold press by modern mill within the first few hours of harvesting.

Color Notes: Yellow gold with green undertone

Tasting Notes: Fruity with green tones of herbs, leaf and artichoke. Aroma of apples and green grass; sweet on the palate, with a slight bite at the back.

We describe this oil as rich and “buttery.” It’s what we use to sauté onion and coat rice for arroz con pollo and risotto. The buttery quality also makes it lovely for baking.