The Estate of Fuencubierta

Where: Campiña Sur Cordobesa, Córdoba, Spain

Hectares: 257

Cultivars: Picual (35%), Hojiblanca (17.5%), Arbequina (21%), Koroneiki (8.8%), Arbonosa (17.5%)

Olive trees: 109,470

Single or multiple orchards: Multiple

Situated in the Córdoba sub-region of Campiña Sur Cordobesa (in the administrative district of La Rambla) is the estate La Fuencubierta.

Founded in 1917, the estate totals 512 hectares of land, with 257 hectares used for olive tree harvesting. The remainder is 30 hectares of almond trees and 225 hectares used for wheat, sunflower and legume growing. (The latter set of crop was noted as “typical” in the region)

La Fuencubierta is owned by third-generation Lovera-Prieto family, of which the heads of the family are the siblings:

• Maria Dolores
• Cristobal
• Rafael
• Fernando
• Juan Carlos

In the olive groves are a total of 109,470 trees comprising of Picual, Hojiblanco, Arbequino, Koroneiki (indigenous to Greece) and Arbonosa. Arbonosa is a blend of Arbequino and Koroneiki. The orchards have been assembled in a blend of Traditional, Intensive and Hederow (Super Intensive or High Density) depending on “whether it is irrigated or dry land” and other factors. It was cited that: a Traditional layout can contain 77-100 trees per hectare (10×10 metres apart), Intensive can hold 200 trees per hectare (7×7 metres apart) and Hedegrow can hold 850 trees per hectare. (4×1.5 metres part, planted in a triangular pattern) For harvesting, an Integral Harvest System (IHS) is used for about 40% of the trees. (One machine is in use)

The family has their own oil mill (almazara / molino) at the estate with supporting documentation of harvest details as early as 1917 and two stone engravings of the year at the oil mill. Each year the company produces between 1 million and 3 million litres of olive oil.

Its history

In the family, the estate originally belonged to the mother of the current siblings, Doña Soledad Prieto del Rosal. “At a difficult time” her family sold the estate to the Lovera-Porras family. (1946) In a twist of fate, the son of the purchasing family, Don Rafael Lovera-Porras, married Doña. Don was eventually bequeathed the estate in 1957 having the land return to Doña through the marriage. And Don and Doña gave birth to the five proprietors who own the estate today. The estate has been in the family since 1927.

Of their olive oil production, 80-85% is Extra Virgin. The company produces and sells its Extra Virgin Olive Oil under the mark Aceites Fuencubierta and via bulk selling. And the company further produces and sells olive stones which are used as fuel. (https://www.aceitesfuencubierta.com/)