SATURDAY TOURS

The estates are in the surrounding area of Córdoba, maximum 100km.

Hotels Juderia and NH Amistad : Meet in the Hotel Lobby at 08:45am- 5 mins walk to bus meeting ponit
Hotel Bailo : Meet in hotel Lobby at 08:30am - walk to bus to meeting point
Return for 6pm

BLUE TOUR

"ANDALUSIAN AGRICULTURAL EXPORT & INNOVATION"

Dafisa company,

DAFISA

Dafisa started out in 2000 as a seed producer processing cereal seeds, mainly hard wheat but also soft wheat, barley, sunflower, beans, sorghum and certified seeds of superior biological categories. It has expanded since then to include innovative cotton ginning and high-tech olive oil production. As part of their expansion, in 2015 Dafisa bought up the “Las Anguillas” estate which is located in Santaella (Córdoba) and includes the Genil-Cabra Plan of irrigation on demand. This 120 ha estate produces olives and almonds. Dafisa currently has 8 partners, one of whom is FCS board member Emilio Navarro. During the visit, we shall be hosted by director Cristobal Perez.

CASTILLO DE LA MONCLOVA

Dating back to the 14th century, the Castillo de la Monclova is owned by the Arteaga family. The farm of the estate is divided into three activities: agriculture, agribusiness and livestock and lies on the southern side of the Guadalquivir. Its tributaries run by the estate, providing an easy water supply for the rich soils. The estate is open to the public for lodging, private venues and the Monclova music festival. We shall be hosted by Ivan and Isabelle de Arteaga, Marqueses de Ariza with whom we shall visit the castle and farm. Lunch will be served in a renovated side building of the castle.

RED TOUR

"NATURA 2000 AND DIVERSIFICATION ALONG THE BANKS OF THE RIVER GUADALQUIVIR"

Rivera estate, La Rinconada estate

Both of these estates lie on the banks of the Guadalquivir river thus enabling irrigation techniques that shape the landscape and agriculture technics. Crops such as rice, almonds, olives, fruit, medicinal plants and typical dehesa landscapes abound. Both also have part of their estates as Natura 2000.

RIVERA ESTATE

Rivera Estate covers 1300 hectares that borders the Guadalquivir river by the south side and the San Rafael Navallana’s swamp on the north. 560 hectares are taken up with lowland irrigation while the other 740 hectares by dehesa pasture land with livestock and Spanish horses. The estate has been owned by the family since the fourteenth century and was the cradle of the Spanish horse when King Philip II ordered his head stableman to create a breed of horses for royalty.

The Rivera Estate also has 230 hectares of olive trees and 60hcs of almond trees. The rest of the lowland is sown with crops such as asparagus, quinoa, garlic and corn. Water for irrigation is taken from the swamp despite being so close to the river. The estate holds the Life and Iberlince projects. We shall once again be hosted Ivan and Isabel de Arteaga, Marqueses de Ariza.

BODEGAS ALVEAR
The Alvear family has been producing wines since 1729 thanks to their ancestor Diego de Alvear Y Escalera. Ownership has been passed on from parent to child so that the business is currently in the hands of the 8th generation with over 50 members of the family owning it. Since 2013 no pesticides have been used on the vines, only small doses of sulphur and copper as well as natural plants such as sage, wormwood and cinnamon. Wine is sold mainly in the Mediterranean region but also sells 40% of its production abroad to such far away destinations as Japan and Australia. We shall be hosted by members of the Alvear family for our visit. After a wine tasting we shall have lunch at the estate.

GREEN TOUR

"CITRUS, CORK AND HUNTING FAMILY : SECRETS TO LAND MANAGEMENT"

San Javier estate, El Asiento estate

SAN JAVIER ESTATE

At the San Javier estate we will be hosted by FCS board member Emilio Navarro whose family own the estate since 2000. Renovations included 6 new wells, improved intake of pumped water from the canal, renewed irrigation pipes and the building of a vast cylindrical tank 52m diameter! It is thanks to this efficient irrigation system covering 168 hectares that the estate has a successful production of citrus fruit. 26 hectares were planted with Navelina oranges and another 57 hectares with Salustiana oranges and more recently 2 hectares of Tango mandarins all watered by smart drip irrigation.

The estate also grows such diverse crops as green asparagus, cotton, spinach, cereals, rapeseed and more and also has small game hunting of rabbits, hares, partridges and other birds. In accordance with Conservation Agriculture, techniques are used to minimize erosion, improve soil fertility and preserve biodiversity. Future projects include building an even large water tank to hold 100,000m3, planting late variety citrus fruits and almond trees and eventually shifting to organic production of all crops.

EL ASIENTO ESTATE

The El Asiento estate has been owned by the Navarro family since 1975 and lies in the Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park. The estate has 1,100 hectares dedicated to high-quality cork oak as well as Holm & Quejigos oak and wild olive trees. Watch towers guard the cork forest to protect against fires. There is also big game hunting of Iberian deer and wild boar held in by hunting fence.

Thanks to the Arroyo del Tinte stream whose source is on the estate, there are no water shortage problems even during the most severe droughts.

The national park is a Natura 2000 area with nests of black vulture and Imperial eagle on the farm. El Asiento will shortly be receiving the Wildlife Estate Label.

Hosted again by owner Emilio Navarro the visit will include lunch in the hunting room.

ORANGE TOUR:

"ANDALUSIAN BEST LABELS"

El Guijarrillo estate - Lovera horse breeders, El Rincon Bajo estate

YEGUADA LOVERA

Yeguada Lovera, who was born in 1888 in Santaella, was one of the first breeders of purebred Spanish horses in Spain. Five generations later, the family continues to be in the elite world of Purebred horses. Their horses, considered the most beautiful in the world, have been champions in horse morphology. Their horses are sold throughout Spain, Europe and America.

The Lovera family has an important place at the national and international level in the emerging and important world of equestrian activities. According to Enrique Lovera, the company exists thanks to their “love of animals" and for trying to preserve studs that are among the five or ten oldest in Spain.

We shall be welcomed by hosts May Lovera de las Morenas and Enrique Lovera de las Morenas

EL RINCON BAJO

Sustainability, excellence and pure pleasure is the motto of EXTREM, producers of fine Iberian hams. The Iberian pigs roam in freedom, sows are cared for and acorns (for feeding) are checked daily in the dryer. The visit will include the drying facility, curing room and cellar as well as tastings of the Extrem Puro acorn fed Ibérico ham, organic olive oil and wine (Dehesa de Luna). Lunch will be served in the house and hosted by Francisco and Silvia Ruiz de la Torre.

YELLOW TOUR - YOUNG FRIENDS OF THE COUNTRYSIDE

"INSPIRING EXAMPLES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION"

Castillo de Almodovar de Rio, El Parralejo estate (including YFCS dinner)

CASTILLO DE ALMODOVAR DEL RIO

The Young Friends will go back to the Medieval Age when visiting this fortress, located on top of a hill near Almodóvar, only 20 minutes away from Córdoba city centre. This marvelous Castle has been in the same family since their ancestor Francisco de Corral y Guzman took up residence here in 1629 and has fortunately remained so ever since. From the fortress, the Young Friends will be able to admire the broad views of the countryside around. Visiting the dungeons, towers and hexagonal church will allow a complete immersion into one of Córdoba’s most important historical age. Lessons will be learnt on how to revive the life of an ancient fortress by organizing interesting activities for the visiting public. The fortress is family owned by Fernando and Eva Solís, Marqueses de Montilla.

EL PARRALEJO ESTATE

The beautiful Parralejo estate, which is situated within the Sierra de Hornachuelos National Park, was acquired by the Navarro family between 2000 and 2004. The estate takes up 610 hectares of pasture, dense oak groves & livestock and has a multitude of natural and man-made water supply points for the livestock. It also offers big game hunting of wild boar and Iberian deer and holds 400 pure-bred acorn-fed Iberian pigs as well as sheep. Cork trees are being planted now to bring cork in about 25 years. The estate will soon be accorded the Wildlife Estate Label.

Being in the National Park, you can also spot black vultures, Royal and Imperial eagles, lynx and other protected animal species.

The Young Friends, during their visit, will have lunch, tour the estate, enjoy a “capea” bull fight in their own bull ring as well as a typical southern Spanish dinner served by one of the best caterers in the region. Music and dancing will continue into the small hours….

(optional) DINNER

08:30pm (optional) INFORMAL DINNER & EQUESTRIAN SHOW

Caballerizas Reales de Córdoba

The Andalusian horse is tied historically and culturally to the history of Córdoba where conditions over the centuries have been right to produce these magnificent horses. The Escuela Ecuestre is one of the most important centres for raising and improving the breed and shows off “the Passion and Spirit of the Andalusian Horse”.

Dinner shall take place in the Royal Stables and be followed by an equestrian show exclusively for the Friends.