Estepa Protected Designation of Origin Regulating Council
|
There is a region in the geographical centre of Andalusia which is defined by its gentle and endless undulating hills, its white and reddish lands and its distinguishing identity marks. We refer to the region around Estepa, next to Puente Genil, a land where olive tree is everywhere.
|
|
|
A historical crossroads which has found olive growing as the driving force of its economy, society and culture since the ancient past.
Abundant historical data proves how, since the oldest days, the different people who have occupied these lands were especially fond of the region of Estepa because of its special natural characteristics which allowed for a vast olive oil production.
|
The Region
|
Since ancient times, the different people occupying these lands have devoted themselves to olive growing, obtaining its prestigious olives and its renowned olive oils.
A more than thousand-year-old tradition which still lasts. Nowadays, more than 4,500 families from Estepa, Puente Genil and the surrounding villages still remain faithful to this tradition of producing the best fruit and the most exquisite and demanding Extra Virgin Olive Oil every year.
The region of Estepa, Puente Genil and the surrounding villages extend over 40,000 hectares of olive groves located in the strategic centre of Andalusia.
|
The History of the Region of Estepa and its Olive Grove
The oldest contrasted data that relates to this area of Estepa, the olive tree and its oil go back to Roman times, however, numerous archaeological sites from previous periods have been found (Iberian people, Metal Ages) whose remains show an interesting agricultural economy with olive oil presence. In the Roman period, our region went through one of the golden stages of having the olive grove as its epicentre: the region occupies a superb geographical location within the Roman administrative chart being one of the Baetica olive oil suppliers in that fundamental exporting triangle represented by Seville, Cordova and Ecija.
|
During the Medieval period, the olive crop followed a general trend of consolidation, the outstanding region of Estepa being one of the places where this crop has been contrasted. In the Muslim period, the existing information sources prove an important presence of olive oil in the everyday life of the inhabitants of this region and its production development. After the Reconquest of Spain from the Moors, the Late Medieval period was characterized by an important growth in this sector: production, marketing, etc.
|
|
In the three centuries between the Medieval and the Modern period, Estepa became one of the most important areas in Spain regarding olive trees and oil. The stretches of lands growing trees increased spectacularly, and national and international markets became interested in the olive oils from this region. Achieving these goals involved one of the most important changes of the sector - olive oil mills gained in importance, increased their number and improved their techniques. During this period it was possible to state that the region of Estepa was a pioneer in introducing capitalist practices in the olive sector in our country.
|
Finally, in the Contemporary period the leading role of Estepa in many of the aspects of the sector continued that fundamental prominence and it also became the spearhead of the olive trade in the last two centuries, exporting its own experience to other regions.
|
Production, productivity and quality have been constant features in the development of the olive tree in this region throughout its history.
doestepa
2007-03-19
|
Español
English
Français
