Olive oil from Empordà

The more than appreciated olive oil, also known as "liquid gold", is an essential ingredient in today's cuisine and one of the pillars of the "Mediterranean diet". In the Empordà we have our own extra virgin olive oil with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

The first olive signs found belong to the Bronze Age, although it was not until the 6th century BC. when the Greeks promoted the cultivation when establishing the colonies of Empúries and Roses. Later on the Romans conserved the cultivations and the Benedictine monks consolidated them. In the Empordà today more than two thousand hectares are dedicated to the raising of the varieties "argudell", "corivell" and "verdal (llei de Cadaqués)" in a totally traditional way and is considered one of the oldest olive groves in Catalonia. The "Arbequina" variety was not introduced until the end of the 20th century. This autochthonous olive oil is characterized by having a clear, clean and transparent appearance and for being very pleasant to the palate, very tasty and aromatic. The privileged situation, the mild climate and the omnipresent Tramuntana wind help to shape its marked character. The harvesting of the olive takes place at the end of autumn or in early winter, in a very little mechanized way the olive goes from the olive grove to the oil mill directly and after pressing and filtering in the mill the oil is already suitable for consumption.

The extra virgin olive oil has organoleptic properties and is very beneficial for health when consumed raw but also it is given medicinal, religious, cosmetic and even industrial uses. On your visit to the Vistabella you can taste it in its best known version: soaking bread with tomato. If we also add some ham shavings or some cheese cubes and we serve it on our main terrace with sea views, the experience will be unbeatable. You will also have the opportunity to buy a bottle of this oil in the oil mills of the agricultural cooperatives in the area, do not hesitate to ask for more information.