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—CLUB EXCLUSIVE—
A clean mouthfeel and lingering flavour, with a vibrant bouquet of green notes. Pour some in a small wine glass, have a swirl, and expect aromas of...
Meet the producers: Marije, Gue, Edgar, & André.
“Some things disappear quietly, unless someone decides they matter.”
This month’s oil strikes a different tone, and not just because of its beautiful flavours. Since the end of January, one of the producers behind this batch, Marije, has been fighting for the life of her farm.
Storms swept in: Claudio, Kristin, Leonard, and Marta. They destroyed ancient and young trees, as well as topsoil and new projects they’d been working on with the land. Groves were left flooded, and damages to the barn—the operational heart of the farm—are significant. Beneath the rubble, they were able to rescue their animals, who have continued to suffer from shock. The quotes they’ve received to rebuild what’s been lost are between €35,000-€51,000.
For a decade now, Marije and her husband Gui have built and nurtured a small family farm rooted in respect for land, heritage, and time. No chemicals. No shortcuts. Only nature. But climate change is an ever increasing threat. And it’s not isolated to this area; the waterlogging across the Iberian peninsula will likely have an effect on olive oil prices again due to shortages later in the year, and this is a pattern we are seeing year in year out across the Mediterranean.
Thanks to the support of our members, we’ve donated €1,000 to her GoFundMe to recover and raised another €750 from others.
This is not just about continuing to ensure we can have delicious oils from inspiring producers. It’s also an investment in small-scale farmers, in the way they regenerate the land, in the role they play in our food system, and in the health they provide for our tables and the planet.
In Marije’s words: “This isn’t just olive oil. It’s a way of keeping history alive.”
About the region.
When we first started looking into high-quality oils in Portugal, one region kept popping up—Trás-os-Montes.
Located in the parish of Santa Maria de Émeres in the municipality of Valpaços, this grove sits in a privileged geographic situation between the cold-land and hot-land, making the perfect conditions for extra virgin olive oil production.
It also sits in a valley with almonds, fig, cherry, and pear trees around—not only increasing the biodiversity, but supporting other products that Edgar and Andre sell.
You can learn and discover the world behind this liquid gold, the amazing aromas and flavours of the Portuguese varieties, their history, the production, and more with oleotourism experiences at Passeite.
Marije is a certified Olive Oil Sommelier and international olive oil judge, and offers a range of tastings for all ages and expertise. If you’re travelling via campervan, you can even stay a night in the groves, getting even closer to the liquid gold life.
How to pair it: seasonal recipe spotlight.
This is a salad for when you’re craving something bright and fresh. Enjoy the last weeks of citrus season by pairing oranges and grapefruit with crisp, raw vegetables to keep things feeling lively.
The dressing is simple. It’s generous on the olive oil but lightly spiced with coriander seeds and Aleppo chilli, letting the citrus and this fruity, nutty EVOO do the talking.
Sharp and refreshing, this salad is great as a starter or alongside richer dishes.
*Extra* exclusives...
Booking some upcoming travel? As a member of our Olive Oil Club, we'll give you a £20 gift card for our site when they visit one of our producers for a tasting.
From grove walks to dinners under the stars, it's a great way to dive more into the world of EVOO and support farmers doing right by people and planet.