A lifetime of encounters with Spain.
Posted in Reflections on Spain on Sep 12th, 2011
When our family founded La Tienda fifteen years ago, Ruth and I imagined we were putting together a cozy mom-and-pop business in our retirement so that we could work together with our sons while sharing our love for Spain. The first days of La Tienda began with our son Jonathan working in our basement every [...]
Posted in Amigos, Reflections on Spain on Apr 4th, 2011
My wife Ruth and I always have fun when we share a meal with Fermín and Aixa Rodríguez. Fermín is a master olive oil taster, who provides La Tienda with our favorite blended extra virgin olive oil. Along with their cute little daughter Sofía, they live in the hilltop city of Priego de Córdoba, high [...]
Posted in Amigos, Corners of Spain, Reflections on Spain on Jun 1st, 2010
Both Juan and Elena Yurrita are in their mid-thirties, from the generation that grew up in the heady years when Spain was emerging as a young democracy after the rule of Francisco Franco. The vision of these young people looks outward to new possibilities, after so many years of national isolation that was typical of [...]
This two part video is an excellent presentation prepared by my friend Han de Roos who provides La Tienda with Can Solivera Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Wild Olive Oil by Can Solivera and the exquisite Can Solivera Extra Virgin Olive Oil Soap.
Posted in Corners of Spain, Reflections on Spain on Apr 14th, 2009
As they formed a new family they became part of a continuum of olive husbandry that stretches back to antiquity. Just as his beautiful Señorío de Vizcántar is the product of many different olives, so also Fermín, with his loving wife Aixa and their delightful three year old daughter Sofia represent the many strains of modern Spain. –- Not a perfect analogy, but I think a useful one.
Posted in Amigos, Corners of Spain, Reflections on Spain on Mar 15th, 2006
Hans and Daida’s greatest love is the olive oil from Spain. When they settled into their new estate, Can Solivera, they planted a grove of arbequina olive trees and personally nurtured their growth. Through their own toil and the blessing of a favorable micro-climate, they produce a sublime extra virgin olive oil, and, in addition, an organic wild olive oil produced using the medieval style of pressing the olives. They bring home the fruit of their labor and actually put it into individual bottles.
