Bodega Nekeas Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil

A Valley’s Pride

This medium-intensity EVOO from Navarre, Spain gains an advantage from its mill’s proximity to the Pyrenees Mountains in the north and the Ebro River Valley in the south. Arbequina olives are highly aromatic and the resulting oil has a spicy bite and smooth, silky texture. Comes in 750ml and 5L variants.

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

Bodega Nekeas claims the most northerly olive groves in Spain, which benefit from the climes of both the cool Atlantic and the warm Mediterranean. Because of atypical cool seasons for part of the year in the Navarre region, their Arbequina EVOO has faintly sweet and buttery undertones with universal appeal. Sampled on its own, this clean, green monocultivar oil possesses leafy notes with a hint of fennel.

PAIRINGS

While the Bodega Nekeas Arbequina EVOO adds a unique undertone to any appetizer, it is wonderful for cooking. It goes especially well in roasted pork and potato dishes or in vegetable sautés. A small caveat, though: this particular oil has a short shelf-life and must be stored in a cool, dark place so it does not lose flavor over time.

FROM THE LAND OF WINE AND OLIVES

Bodega Nekeas produces both wines and olives year-round, with some of its vines and trees well over a hundred years old. A cultivated form of diversity is the key to their success, with blocks of tempranillo, garnacha, and merlot interspersed with Arbequina and Arróniz olive groves. They give tours of both the winery and mill, including tastings of their products paired with typical local appetizers. This small pocket of Spanish excellence is still relatively underrated, but its fruits speak for themselves. The Bodega Nekeas Arbequina EVOO has won either Gold or Silver Awards in the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for several years.