Castillo de Piñar Olive Oil is the result of centuries of olive oil production. Italian Picual Olive Trees were planted for hundreds of years in the nutrient-rich topography of the Andalusian land of Spain to take advantage of climate, soils, and elevations perfect for growing the best olives and producing a superior grade of olive oil. The extreme quality and delicate flavor of our olive oils is determined by the type of olives, the growing conditions, our olive oil production process, and even our very special packaging. We invite you to purchase a bottle of this superior olive oil for yourself.
Over two thousand years ago Italian Olive Growers recognized the arid climate and idyllic terrain of southern Spain was optimal for Olive Farming. Today, the Picual Olives from these ancient trees produce a nourishing oil, acclaimed for its superior flavor and qualities.
An Artisan Tradition
Castillo de Piñar olive Oil is the result of centuries of family tradition of olive oil farming and production. Some of our olive trees are hundreds of years old, and they draw the topography of our land to produce a superior quality of olive oil.
Careful Cultivation
With over 200,000 olive trees producing over 4,000,000 liters each season, we still maintain high standards of cultivation for each tree.
Harvested by Hand
Each Picual and Arbequina Olive is handpicked from the tree then carefully separated and sorted according to soil and altitude grade. Only the best olives are selected to ensure olive oil production is of the highest quality.
Cold Pressed
The olives are brought to our cold press facility within 6 hours of harvest to begin the oil extraction process. Selected olives are poured into receiving hoppers to be washed and rinsed naturally using fresh cold water. The olives are pressed and then pumped to a decanter where the oil is extracted via centrifuge. The temperature is carefully regulated so that it is never higher than 80˚ F. This low temperature ensures the quality of the oil and is what is referred to as 'cold pressed'. Finally, after the oil is extracted it is stored in giant stainless steel hoppers in the cellar.
Quality Control
All Castillo de Piñar employees are trained in food-safety procedures, and our oil is packaged under strict quality controls complying with HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) standards. This guarantees the highest standards in food safety controls.
Castillo De Pinar Olive Oil from Spain
Our farms harvest olives from some of the world's oldest producing trees in the Andalusia region of Spain. This area offers the most suitable climate and soil conditions for growing Picual and Arbequina olives which yield the best and most flavorful olive oils. The distinctively savory & robust, yet delicate flavor of our olive oils comes from: The type of olives we grow, the timing of our harvest, the unique growing conditions, our care in the handling and processing of the fruit and the storage of our olive oils.
Picual Olives
Distinctly Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Organic Extra Virgin (OEVOO) and Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) enhance prepared foods both in appearance and by adding a sweet and peppery finish to the taste. The best OEVOO and EVOO come from Picual Olives.
These olives take their name from the pointed shape (peak) of the olive. Originally from Jaén and surrounding areas such as Granada and Cordoba, Picual Olives are the most highly sought after variety and produce oil known for its floral aroma, distinctive flavor, high Oleic Acid Content, and high Stability Rate.
Picual Olives are medium to large in size (3.2 grams on average) and have a meat to bone ratio of 5:6. Picual oil yield is high, up to 28% vs. the average of 22% per olive. These exquisite olives are harvested when they reach their flavor peak in early November to mid-December.
Arbequina Olives
Richly Flavored Virgin Olive Oil
We blend our Arbequina and Picual Olives to create a uniquely savory, yet fruity Olive Oil which enhances all baking and frying recipes. The Arbequina olive was originally grown in the Catalonia and Aragon regions of northeastern Spain. Later, olive growers in Jaén, Cordoba and Granada added this sweet fruit to their farms in southern Spain.Arbequina Olives are smaller, sweeter green olives which ripen early, vesus other varieties. Our Arbequina-Picual Olive Oil is delicate-tasting with a fruity aroma perfect for baking, particularly when substituting olive oil for butter, margarine and/or other oils which are high in saturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. Arbequina accounts for more than three-quarters of California's Olive Farm acreage. Our oil comes from the ancestors of California's olive trees.
