OLIVE OIL | THE VALLEY OF THE WOLVES
Situated in Palmela , 100 kilometres from Santarem , the 60 hectares of trees were also inherited from his great grandfather . Cork can be harvested only once every nine years , and in 2013 the thick bark will be ready for stripping . Fortunately as the price of olive oil has fallen so the price of cork has slightly improved .
At the same time Veronica is creating new markets for her oil . She is soon to launch a range of olive oil-based beauty products . Mixing only her own cold-pressed olive oil with essential oils , using ancient recipes , the range will be aimed at the natural therapy market , with products to reduce hair loss and improve skin health .
As I said goodbye to Joaquim , it seemed to me that he had maybe inherited more than the writer ’ s estate – perhaps a part of his soul . I remembered something written by Herculano , that Veronica had translated for me :
” Looking at my trees gives me more pleasure than seeing the grandest buildings , museums , squares and monuments in all of Europe ”
Words that could have been written by Joaquim himself .
Contacts : Quinta Vale de Lobos Azoia de Baixo 2005-097 Santarem Tel : + 351 243 429 264 www . valedelobos . com Veronica Santos Lima Email : quintavaledelobos @ gmail . com
Quinta Vale de Lobos oil is distributed in the UK by Atlantico Ltd Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 8649 7444 Email : info @ atlantico . co . uk www . atlantico . co . uk
Portuguese Olive Oil Association Email : t . zacarias @ casadoazeite . pt www . casadoazeite . pt
42 | Summer 2012 | www . portugal-life . net |