To most people the province of Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, means either holidays or oranges.  But hidden away in the hills behind the coastal orange groves and the popular resorts of Benedorm and Denia is the Polop valley and here olives and olive oil reign supreme.  This part of the Spanish countryside is quite a surprise and well worth a visit, particularly in the spring when the almond blossom is in full bloom.  Even in summer the many trees help to maintain a green landscape, very different to the bare and barren lands to the south.

Masia el Altet is the name of a private estate with extensive olive groves and a lovely family villa.  It is set in the Polop valley and is owned and run by Jorge Petit and his wife who have had the property for 24 years.  Jorge is very “hands on” in the groves and has established his own mill to ensure continuity from tree to bottle.   In 2007 they joined forces with marketeer Sergio Perez Borbujo and his partner to start to market their oils more widely.

There are 14,000 trees on the 70 hectares estate, many of them local varieties such as Genovesa, Blanqueta, Biel and Alfafarenca.  To complement these they have also planted Picual (a clone from Granada region) and some Arbequina.  Picual was chosen for its backbone and the fact that it will withstand the cold (much cooler here than in the south) and Arbequina which was chosen for its yield.

There are two extra virgin oils produced on the estate. The 2010 High Standard oil is pressed from a blend of 60% Picual, 20% Arbequina and 20 % Blanqueta, Genovesa and Alfafarenca.  The 2010 Premium oil (new in 2009) is pressed from 30% Picual and 30% Chanjlot Real and 40% the other local varieties used in High Standard.  Both oils are already winning awards this year.

It is good to see the resurgence of local varieties and they play an important part in the individual flavours of the two oils which are somewhat different in both aroma and taste.  It is well worth buying both oils to see which you like the best or indeed which would be best for which culinary application.  They are both great in salads but also try them drizzled over fish, grilled meats and roasted vegetables.

Click to buy Masia al Altet High Standard oil