Biodynamic Olive Oil 100% Organic Picual
It stands out for the earthy color and sandy texture of its bottle, linked to the concept of returning to the roots and the origins of rural activity. It is silk-screened in white and green, highlighting its constellation of stars and moon, symbolizing the union of sky and earth.
Persistent on the palate, bitterness and spiciness are well integrated; and a slight astringency recalls artichoke, thistle, or persimmon.
In tasting, vegetal notes of herbs and vegetables predominate in this fresh, lively, and expressive extra virgin olive oil. Olive leaves, lettuce, and artichoke stand out at the forefront; then fresh fruits, tomato plant notes, and a sweet hint of green banana and ripe apple emerge.
Paco Vañó. Co-owner of Castillo de Canena:
Fifteen years ago, my sister Rosa and I started the “Castillo de Canena” project on the solid foundations handed down to us by our parents and previous generations of our family. From the beginning, we were very clear that, above all, we were farmers. We were guided by a moral mandate to preserve the land, nurture it, care for it, regenerate it, and never forget that the foundation of our heritage was the magnificent olive groves from which we obtained, year after year, extraordinary olive juices and top-quality EVOOs. We had received a unique legacy, but it did not truly belong to us; we had to leave our children the inheritance of a land much richer, more fertile, and with more biodiversity than that given to us by our ancestors.
In 2010, we decisively embraced Biodynamic Agriculture. We were drawn to concepts such as harmonizing human activity with the Earth and the Universe, the influence of the moon and planets on the growth and fruiting of our trees, the efficacy of biodynamic preparations in enriching and fertilizing our soil, and, of course, the self-sufficient “closed farm” concept, where any “byproduct” generated in our agricultural work should be reused for the benefit of the estate itself. We then felt we had to recreate a true ecosystem on our farm, where the economic activity we practiced coexisted harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment. Only by respecting the food chain and promoting the presence of native and endemic fauna and flora in our geographic area could we revitalize and regenerate the land, reduce the impact of pests, and achieve consistently good harvests.
We learned to mix manure with olive pomace, leaves, and twigs from fruit cleaning during harvest and to use the final compost as the sole fertilizer for our biodynamic olive groves. In addition to obtaining the Demeter certification, at Castillo de Canena we certified our Water Footprint and Carbon Footprint with DNV and obtained the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) issued by the Swedish organization Environtech. We have made significant investments to ensure that most of the energy we consume comes from renewable sources and redirected a significant portion of the biomass generated from pruning to clean electricity generation plants. We have carried out reforestation with native Iberian tree species and replanted hundreds of shrubs, bushes, and aromatic plants.
We have built artificial nests and, under agreements with SEO-BIRDLIFE, promoted the reintroduction of birds on our estate. We have regenerated wetlands and created “islands of life,” helping to make the expression “Living Olive Groves” a reality. The result (one of them) is that in our increasingly biodiverse and rich fields, species of insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals that had disappeared over half a century ago have reappeared… and our soil is gaining fertility and organic matter. The good news is that at Castillo de Canena, we have new initiatives in progress to continue advancing on the exciting path of regenerating the surrounding environment and nature.
Consumers are becoming increasingly strict and demanding, and certainly more sensitive to the social responsibility policies implemented by companies. It is no longer enough to produce EVOOs of exceptional organoleptic and sensory quality, packaged in beautiful bottles with great care. Our clients also value the intangible assets a company can offer, including its commitment to conserving Nature and scrupulous respect for the Environment. Both are highly differentiating factors.
