With this post, we start a new section on our blog, called “Inside Every Home,” a series of articles where we will get to know in more detail the brands we sell in our online store, their history, production particularities, and, of course, the characteristics of their oils, their varieties, formats, and corresponding tasting notes.
We start with Aceites de Maquiz, a brand whose olive groves currently have 25,000 trees, mostly Picual variety, as well as Arbequina and Frantoio. Four thousand new Frantoio trees have also been planted, which adapt very well to Jaén. They have their own mill, Encomienda Maquiz, located in Mengíbar, Jaén, on the banks of the Guadalquivir, specifically on the road from Mengíbar to Villargordo.
History
The Aceites de Maquiz brand began its expansion thanks to the work of Mariano de La-Chica Casinello, an entrepreneur with a great vision for the future of EVOO, with invaluable support from his wife, Rosa Jardón Arango, who played a key role in this project born in 1997 in lands previously dedicated to other crops, now exclusively devoted to olive groves and olive oil production.
Currently, the children of the couple, Mariano, Rodrigo, and María Rosa de La-Chica Jardón, manage the mill, care for the olive groves, and oversee oil production. They represent the third generation of the family dedicated to these tasks and are responsible for the brand’s significant boost, both in marketing and company image, incorporating the latest marketing and communication techniques.
The Mill
Since the mill is located in the olive grove, the fruit is transported to the production center in minimal time, ensuring that the oil is produced immediately after harvesting. The olives are milled under optimal conditions, preserving their quality, which results in the extraordinary quality of the brand’s EVOOs.
Recently, Maquiz has focused on achieving maximum excellence in its products, emphasizing Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Their Picual EVOO has received the “Jaén Selección” award for two consecutive years from the Provincial Council of Jaén, which recognizes the eight best brands in the province each campaign.
To produce these early oils, olives are harvested at the green stage (envero). The first variety harvested is Frantoio, followed closely by Arbequina, and lastly Picual. As the campaign progresses, usually until early January, olives transition from green to optimal ripeness, concluding with mature oils.
Throughout the production process, Maquiz carefully selects the best olive trees for each EVOO according to the desired quality, ensuring thorough control of the entire oil cycle. This guarantees product quality, strict compliance with health regulations and the Olive Oil Agency standards, and full traceability, allowing the origin of every kilogram of olives and their cultivation process to be known.
Its Oils: Premium EVOO and Oro de Maquiz
Maquiz Premium EVOO consists of early-harvest monovarietal oils made from the three olive varieties grown in their groves: Picual, Arbequina, and Frantoio. These oils, obtained in the second half of October from green olives, are bottled in exclusive glass bottles and presented in a gift box, allowing EVOO enthusiasts to appreciate the specific characteristics of each olive variety. They are perfect for discerning palates, ideal for personal consumption or as a gift in a box containing all three monovarietals.
Particularly noteworthy is the Maquiz Picual EVOO, awarded in Jaén Selección 2018 and 2019. Its tasting notes highlight a fresh and harmonious character, with medium-high fruity intensity, green notes reminiscent of grass, olive leaf, alloza, and tomato. On the palate, it is powerful, as expected from a Picual, with balanced bitterness and spiciness. Its pronounced green profile adds freshness to the ensemble. Picual is the quintessential variety in Jaén and Andalusia and is increasingly popular in the rest of Spain and international markets.
Oro de Maquiz is a blended EVOO made from two of the cultivated varieties: 80% Picual and 20% Arbequina. This creates an Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a flavor and aroma that appeal to a broader range of customers, ideal for both raw consumption and cooking.
Marketing and Distribution
Aceites Maquiz has always focused on the end consumer, who has helped promote their oils. In recent years, distributors have joined, bringing their oils to restaurants, specialty stores, gourmet shops, and online markets. Belonging to the “Jaén Selección” group provides a significant boost, granting access to 110 three-Michelin-star restaurants worldwide and participation in major gastronomy and tourism fairs.
While currently focused on the domestic market, they do not rule out international expansion and also support various charitable projects.
Our online store offers these outstanding EVOOs from this leading brand, delivered quickly and securely, thanks to Aceite de Jaén Online.
