ABOUT

What is Olivalius?

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Olivalius is an Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the Picual variety, first day of harvest, lovingly produced.

A gourmet EVOO from our lands in Bailén.

An Extra Virgin Olive Oil born from the need to live in our village, to preserve our roots, to add

value to a traditional family olive farm. A dream that we have finally made come true in the

Spanish heartland, in Bailén, one of the villages with the richest history, which has suffered

and continues to suffer from progressive depopulation and female unemployment.

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Where are we?

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Valius, according to Menéndez Pidal, was the pre-Roman name given to Bailén, and our farm is located a few metres from the Iberian archaeological site of ‘Piedras del Cardao’. It is also listed as a settlement of ancient Roman villas that surround us, our olive trees and ancient lands hardened by subsequent battles such as the very Battle of Bailén, the first open-field battle in Europe where Napoleon’s troops were defeated.

 

About us / Who are we?

 

Valius, in Latin, means ‘stronger’ and it comes from the term valorem, ‘valuable’. And there is nothing stronger nor more valuable than family and friends, because they are the ones who have forged this dream.

 

My father, Luis, owner of the lands and the mirror in which I always look at myself; my brother Miguel Angel, the farmer and successor who is always by my side. My children, Inés and José, my pillars and the future for whom I strive.

 

My friends, Tomás Lorite, who put OLEOJAEN and his entire team at our disposal; Alfonso J. Gámez, with his ‘golden nose’ for EVOO; Paco Lorente with his experience in gastronomy and sales marketing; Sonia Martínez, for her determination, her work and her eternal smile; all the rural women who are part of our staff and who water our fields with their sweat; and all those people who, after tasting it, have encouraged us to continue on this path, such as food critics Ana Marcos and Enrique Bellver, who simply said: “Mmm, wow, how delicious!” and they gave it to try to several gastronomy experts in Spain and leading figures in the world of cooking and dining, some of whom are even Michelin-starred chefs who have already made OliValius their essential oil when cooking some of their most renowned dishes.

 

Thank you all for everything you have given me, because I have only been the link that brought you together, seeking your talent and wisdom, your knowledge and technical contribution to this project, and your support when it was all just a fantasy.