Currently Olive Oil production around the world has been affected by droughts and other weather-related calamities.
Our harvest in 2023 was affected by a massive Calima. A Calima (Kalima) is a Saharan dust storm that is carried by winds over the Mediterranean Sea, which then picks up moisture. The dust storm causes poor air quality as well as dirty rains which can adversely affect much of the vegetation it falls on. The Calima in 2022 occurred at the time of the flowering of the olive trees in most of Europe and the Middle East. The dust essentially limited the pollination and budding of many regions of Olive production. As a result, less olive production and less olive oil.
Drought conditions have been increasing in Europe (world) for the past decades. Olive oil production in Europe in general was at a critically low level in 2023 and has continued into 2024. Thus, production is down all over Europe. Spain produces the most olive oil of any country in the world. Olive oil producers have attempted to stabilize the market through the years by keeping vast amounts of Olive oil in reserves. With three years of significantly low production, Olive Oil has soared to never before seen prices. Current prices for the 2023-2024 winter harvest are expected to increase even more than where they currently are.
Our harvest in 2023 was affected by a massive Calima. A Calima (Kalima) is a Saharan dust storm that is carried by winds over the Mediterranean Sea, which then picks up moisture. The dust storm causes poor air quality as well as dirty rains which can adversely affect much of the vegetation it falls on. The Calima in 2022 occurred at the time of the flowering of the olive trees in most of Europe and the Middle East. The dust essentially limited the pollination and budding of many regions of Olive production. As a result, less olive production and less olive oil.
Drought conditions have been increasing in Europe (world) for the past decades. Olive oil production in Europe in general was at a critically low level in 2023 and has continued into 2024. Thus, production is down all over Europe. Spain produces the most olive oil of any country in the world. Olive oil producers have attempted to stabilize the market through the years by keeping vast amounts of Olive oil in reserves. With three years of significantly low production, Olive Oil has soared to never before seen prices. Current prices for the 2023-2024 winter harvest are expected to increase even more than where they currently are.
Gourmets of Spain
VELETA Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been a staple in the diet of the Mediterranean people since the Bronze Age (3000 B.C.). Olive oil lacks saturated fats and is rich in vitamin E and is an integral part of the “Mediterranean diet”, felt to contribute to the longevity of people in that region of the world.
An intense aroma of fresh grass, fennel and wild mountain thyme characterizes the oil derived from this fruit. The taste is fruity, silky and elegant with a bouquet of roasted almonds, grapefruit and tomato. The color is golden yellow.
Granada
Our area of production is located in the Alpujarra county of Granada, Spain, in the south slopes of the majestic Sierra Nevada, the tallest mountains in the Iberian Peninsula. Our brand name “VELETA™” derives from the Veleta peak in the Sierras.
The centenaries olive trees in our hills belong to a rare variety called “LECHIN,” which is almost exclusive to our province of Spain.
The Concept of Our Quality
Our land is dry and arid. The soil, made of fine clay, covers the underground calcareous rocks. Rains are limited to the winter and spring seasons. The summer drought allows the trees to concentrate and blend exquisite flavors.
Our trees flower late in the spring. By the fall, the olives have reach about 80% of their full size and are green colored. In December, dark garnet pigmentation occurs and the fruit becomes ripe and ready for collection. Our trees are large and not suitable for mechanical harvesting. The fruit has to be hand picked in the short, cold winter days.
The final quality of the olive oil depends almost exclusively of the type of olives used and the interval between the collection and milling of the fruit. Storing the fruits, even for a short time leads to fermentation and decomposition. Our olives are processed on the same day within 2 hours after they are harvested .
Our oil extraction is based on a modern process that avoids high temperatures. By doing cold extraction, we avoid the presence of waxes and other undesirable fats in our VELETA® Extra Virgin Olive Oil. To preserve the wholesome characteristics of the olive fruit, we do not filter our oil, but rather decant it for several weeks. Some sediment at the bottom of the bottle is expected.
Our Guarantee
Our VELETA™ Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced from our Lechin Olives on our Estate and milled at our facilities at Dominio Buenavista in Ugijar, Granada, Spain. Each bottle includes the lot numbers and is guaranteed to contain one of the most exquisite handmade olive oils of the world.
An intense aroma of fresh grass, fennel and wild mountain thyme characterizes the oil derived from this fruit. The taste is fruity, silky and elegant with a bouquet of roasted almonds, grapefruit and tomato. The color is golden yellow.
Granada
Our area of production is located in the Alpujarra county of Granada, Spain, in the south slopes of the majestic Sierra Nevada, the tallest mountains in the Iberian Peninsula. Our brand name “VELETA™” derives from the Veleta peak in the Sierras.
The centenaries olive trees in our hills belong to a rare variety called “LECHIN,” which is almost exclusive to our province of Spain.
The Concept of Our Quality
Our land is dry and arid. The soil, made of fine clay, covers the underground calcareous rocks. Rains are limited to the winter and spring seasons. The summer drought allows the trees to concentrate and blend exquisite flavors.
Our trees flower late in the spring. By the fall, the olives have reach about 80% of their full size and are green colored. In December, dark garnet pigmentation occurs and the fruit becomes ripe and ready for collection. Our trees are large and not suitable for mechanical harvesting. The fruit has to be hand picked in the short, cold winter days.
The final quality of the olive oil depends almost exclusively of the type of olives used and the interval between the collection and milling of the fruit. Storing the fruits, even for a short time leads to fermentation and decomposition. Our olives are processed on the same day within 2 hours after they are harvested .
Our oil extraction is based on a modern process that avoids high temperatures. By doing cold extraction, we avoid the presence of waxes and other undesirable fats in our VELETA® Extra Virgin Olive Oil. To preserve the wholesome characteristics of the olive fruit, we do not filter our oil, but rather decant it for several weeks. Some sediment at the bottom of the bottle is expected.
Our Guarantee
Our VELETA™ Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced from our Lechin Olives on our Estate and milled at our facilities at Dominio Buenavista in Ugijar, Granada, Spain. Each bottle includes the lot numbers and is guaranteed to contain one of the most exquisite handmade olive oils of the world.
