Matilde and Natalia Mondelo are spearheading the Casa do Aceite initiative, a project linked to the Aceiroga company, aimed at promoting the olive oil culture of Quiroga through a comprehensive rural tourism proposal. The initiative is designed to celebrate the region's olive oil traditions and transform them into an immersive experience.
"Our project aims to highlight the olive oil heritage of Quiroga and connect it with rural experiences," they explained. "We have been working for years on the recovery and production of extra virgin olive oil from our native varieties, primarily Mansa and Brava, and we want to take it a step further by creating an integrated olive oil tourism project."
The Casa do Aceite project combines the production of extra virgin olive oil (AOVE) with the dissemination of olive oil culture, gastronomy, and quality rural tourism. Plans include an interpretative space dedicated to the history and traditions of Quiroga's olive oil, the rehabilitation of a Roman mill, and various activities centred around olive groves and AOVE, such as tastings, pairings, and cooking demonstrations. Additionally, the project will offer facilities for events like weddings, corporate meetings, and yoga retreats, along with accommodation that blends into the landscape.
"We want our visitors to not only learn about a product but to discover its origins: the olive trees, the native varieties, the people, the history, and the exceptional landscape of Ribeira Sacra and the Montañas do Courel Geopark," they added.
Support from the Fundación Juana de Vega
The Mondelo sisters participated in the thirteenth edition of the Fundación Juana de Vega's Agro-Food Business Support Programme, focusing on entrepreneurship. They noted that the programme significantly aided them in transforming their idea into a more structured business project.
"The programme helped us analyse our business model in depth, define our value proposition, identify potential customers, and work on essential aspects such as economic viability, marketing, positioning, and communication," they stated. "It also provided us with an important external and professional perspective."
They particularly valued the programme's practical nature and the combination of training with personalised advice. "It's not just about receiving training; it's about applying everything learned directly to your project. The support from professionals and mentors allows you to identify strengths and weaknesses, question certain decisions, and advance with a much clearer vision," they explained.
Future plans and recognition
The Mondelo sisters received an accolade that includes 15 additional hours of advisory support to further develop their project. "This award was not only a recognition that thrilled us but also an opportunity to delve deeper into key aspects of the project," they said. "We are using this additional advisory time to refine our economic and financial model and analyse the profitability of different business lines."
As they transition from planning to execution, they are finalising the project with architects, obtaining licenses from the local council, and budgeting with construction companies and other suppliers. They faced challenges in acquiring the necessary land, which totalled around 7,000 square metres, but received support from local residents and landowners.
"Our ultimate goal is to create a reference project in Quiroga centred around olive oil culture, capable of attracting visitors, generating economic activity, and contributing to the preservation of a unique agricultural and cultural heritage," they concluded. "We want to show that behind a small bottle of oil, there can be something much larger: a landscape, a story, a way of life, and a future opportunity for rural areas."
