Caraita ravine
It is located in the mountains of Alicante, in the municipalities of Benillup and Millena in the region of El Comtat, between the Sierra de Almudaina and the Barranco de Caraita.
The Finca is made up of several plots of land arranged in irregular and winding terraces, often with only one row of crops. This singularity - the different contour lines - means that between the terraces there are margins where the native vegetation grows spontaneously - biodiversity of flora and fauna - achieving a natural balance in the ecosystem, in which olive growing also plays a part. It can be classified as a mountain olive grove.
The Caraita ravine
The altitude of 565 metres above sea level is combined with the proximity of the Mediterranean and these circumstances create an extreme climate with cold winters and hot summers, softened by the sea breeze. There is a direct relationship between the altitude at which the olive tree is grown and the health benefits of its oils due to the higher levels of Coenzyme Q10, tocopherols and phenolic compounds which are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, hence their bitterness and spiciness.
The environment
The lands are dry land, since only the rainfall that falls each year is counted. This water limitation hinders its cultivation, limits the harvest and the complexity in the oil mill for its production but at the same time gives a marked character of quality to the extra virgin olive oil obtained.
The origins of the farm are the lands inherited from my ancestors that did not exceed one hectare, where the predominant variety was the Villalonga and some trees of the Blanqueta variety .
As of 2007, I take charge of the exploitation of the fields, first introducing the Arbequina variety for its organoleptic characteristics, and its mild and sweet flavor. Years later we planted the Alfafarenca , original from the area and a very high quality oil. Throughout this time, we gradually grew by acquiring adjoining plots until we reached a current area of just over 8 hectares with a total of about 1,250 olive trees of the varieties mentioned (35% Alfafarenca, 30% Arbequina, 20% Villalonga and 15% Blanquette).
The cultivation of olive trees is carried out in organic farming certified by the Organic Agriculture Committee of the Valencian Community. Finca Caraita – elongated and winding – is delimited by the CV-710 road and the Barranco de Caraita, thus allowing the ecological cultivation of the entire farm as it does not have neighboring plots that would make it necessary to leave some safety strips due to the possible drift of chemical products. Otherwise this personal project would not make sense, where there is maximum respect for the environment and for the product obtained.
Throughout the year we observe nature so that the interventions are as respectful as possible, carrying out the minimum tillage so as not to damage the fertile surface of the soil, better conserve water reserves and stop erosion.
The olive trees receive the phytosanitary treatments necessary for their health and foliar fertilization is applied to provide them with nutrients, in addition to the manure that is so necessary for the fertility of the land. With pruning, a good balance of the trees is achieved, good aeration and sun exposure of the branches where the inflorescences will give rise to the olives. And the remains of pruning are incorporated into the ground with its crushing to provide organic matter and improve its structure. In the field, the vegetal cover - native flora - is allowed to grow under the olive trees so that it provides its benefits, carrying out correct management of it so that it does not compete with the cultivation of olive trees.
On the margins there are some almond trees that help contain the land and give color in the month of February. During the month of April and May, it is the isolated cherry trees that provide the beautiful picture of their flowering, to further embellish the landscape and also feed the birds with their fruits. Both the flowers of these trees and herbaceous species attract insects, which are so important in the balance of the ecosystem and control of pests.
