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Located in the geographical centre of Andalusia, on the border with the provinces of Seville and Málaga, Puente Genil lies in the heart of the Córdoba countryside, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and crossed by the Genil River, which gives the town its name. Since ancient times, Puente Genil has played an important commercial and industrial role in the region and has a centuries-old tradition of olive cultivation. Its soils and climate provide ideal conditions for producing distinctive olive oils that are recognised worldwide.
Its olive oil has been highly regarded for more than 100 years. In early 1936, the Spanish newspaper ABC reported a unique event with no precedent in the history of Spain. On 15 October 1935, the National Association of Olive Growers of Spain, at its General Assembly, awarded Puente Genil the special title of OPTIMI OLEI EMPORIUM, meaning approximately “the emporium of the finest olive oil”. This historic title can still be seen today on the coat of arms of Puente Genil.
Part of the municipality of Puente Genil lies within the Estepa Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
The Estepa PDO covers eleven municipalities in the province of Seville and one in the province of Córdoba: Puente Genil, specifically the area known as Miragenil.
Las Valdesas, a producer of extra virgin olive oil, is an associated member of the PDO.
Estepa PDO oils are produced from the varieties Hojiblanca, Manzanilla, Arbequina, Picual and Lechín, with Hojiblanca being the predominant variety. Depending on the variety, these oils may have fresh or ripe fruit aromas and flavours, with slightly bitter and/or peppery notes or a mildly sweet character.
They are obtained exclusively through mechanical or physical processes that do not alter the oil, preserving the flavour, aroma and characteristics of the olives from which they are produced.
Compared with other Protected Designations of Origin in Andalusia, the Estepa Protected Designation of Origin follows particularly demanding quality and production standards. Its members are committed to sustainable olive farming, using techniques that respect the environment. The area's climate, soil characteristics and olive varieties contribute to the distinctive character of the olive oils produced here.
Only olives grown in olive groves belonging to the PDO's designated geographical area may be used to produce oils bearing the Estepa PDO designation. The resulting extra virgin olive oils are recognised for their quality and have received numerous awards both in Spain and internationally.
Puente Genil is home to several olive oil producers and olive mills.
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The Las Valdesas estate is located within the municipality of Puente Genil, close to the border with the Sevillian towns of Badolatosa and Casariche.
The estate's own olive mill is located on the farm itself and processes only olives harvested from its own olive groves.
Five olive varieties are grown at the Las Valdesas estate: Arbequina, Hojiblanca, Picual, Manzanillo and Frantoio.
Las Valdesas is an associated member of the Estepa PDO and holds certifications for Integrated Production in Olive Growing and Olive Milling, as well as Organic Production.
Las Valdesas has received several national and international awards, including an award for the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Spain, presented by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in the ripe-fruity category. These achievements contribute to the long-standing reputation of Puente Genil as the “Optimi Olei Emporium”.
Founded in 1885, Aceites Cortijo El Canal is a family-run business with more than 130 years of experience producing extra virgin olive oil.
Founded in 1958, the cooperative began producing olive oil that same year.
It went on to become one of Spain's leading olive oil cooperatives in terms of olive processing volume, reaching a maximum production of 36 million kilograms of olives.
The cooperative was established in 1954. Its olive oil is marketed under the Oleoestepa S.C.A. brand, a second-tier cooperative. It is part of the Estepa Protected Designation of Origin and holds certification for Integrated Production in Olive Growing and Olive Milling. For the marketing of its table olive production, the cooperative is also part of DCOOP S.C.A.
In 1970, a group of enterprising farmers from Puente Genil came together to establish the Cooperativa Vitivinícola La Purísima.
As many of its members also cultivated olive groves, the cooperative later decided to build an olive mill equipped with modern technology for olive oil extraction, as well as a facility for processing table olives.
It became the first cooperative in the area to combine the production of wine, olive oil and table olives. Today, the cooperative operates commercially under the name VINOLEA, Bodega & Almazara and has more than 300 members. Its main production is extra virgin olive oil, followed by table olives and wine.
MkOliveco was founded on the experience of three generations dedicated to the production and marketing of Andalusian olive oils.
Its main facilities are located close to the Subbética Natural Park and western Granada, within the area between southern Córdoba, western Granada and southern Jaén. Its olive oil is marketed under the Oro Español brand.
This olive mill produces exclusively early-harvest extra virgin olive oils. It works exclusively with the Hojiblanca and Arbequina varieties.
Traditionally, olive growing in this region has been predominantly a rain-fed form of agriculture.
A rain-fed olive grove is one that relies entirely on rainfall for its water supply. Production therefore depends on the amount of rainfall received during the year and how evenly that rainfall is distributed throughout the growing season.
Olive trees are particularly well adapted to prolonged periods of drought and can produce fruit even when water availability is limited. This has favoured rain-fed olive farming for centuries. The olive tree is characteristic of the Mediterranean climate and is highly tolerant of drought. It is well suited to rain-fed cultivation thanks to its extensive root system and the structure of its leaves, which help to reduce transpiration and moisture loss.
However, many olive growers have now introduced irrigation into traditionally rain-fed olive groves in response to the problems that prolonged water shortages can cause for olive production.
Olive trees generally respond well to an adequate supply of water, and irrigation can significantly increase productivity. This has brought important changes to olive farming in Andalusia by allowing growers to achieve higher yields where water resources are available.
The two main olive varieties grown in Puente Genil are Hojiblanca and Picual.
Hojiblanca is the most widely cultivated olive variety in Puente Genil. Its name refers to the whitish or silvery appearance of the tree's leaves. The olives are used both for producing olive oil and as table olives.
The variety is widely cultivated throughout Andalusia. Historically, its origins have been associated with the province of Córdoba, with its main area of cultivation extending across southern Córdoba, Seville and northern Málaga.
Picual is the most widely cultivated olive variety in Spain and one of the world's most important olive varieties. It is particularly widespread in Jaén, Granada and Córdoba. Its name refers to the pointed shape of the olive.
Picual olive oil is highly valued for its excellent stability and resistance to oxidation. It is also particularly suitable for cooking and for preserving raw or cooked foods. From a sensory perspective, Picual produces an oil with a distinctive and full-bodied character.
Olive Oil Greenway, reflects the importance of olive oil production in this part of Andalusia. It also recalls the railway line that once ran along this route and was popularly known as the “Olive Oil Train”. At 128 kilometres long, it is the longest greenway in Andalusia.
The route begins in the city of Jaén and ends in Puente Genil, in Córdoba, passing through landscapes dominated by olive groves along the way. The route follows the former railway line, which operated until 1985 and connected Jaén with Puente Genil.
Today, the former railway tracks have been transformed into a route for cyclists and walkers. Along the way, visitors can cross the old railway bridges and tunnels, discover the former stations and, above all, enjoy the extensive olive groves that characterise the landscape.