Creative Spanish cooking holiday, Spain

Environment

We are continuing the traditional way of life here and have taken a lot of care to keep our part of the sierra looking natural. We have solar energy so no ugly power lines. Our swimming pool is as natural as possible using solar powered algae deterrents and non-chlorine filter system. We are lucky to have a rich wild life on the sierra, especially rare species of birds which are left undisturbed in their craggy nests. We have 4 horses and a carriage and use them often instead of the car and use the manure from our horses and donkeys to nurture plants.

The land on the finca is mostly wooded with cork oak and holm oak, we have been careful to maintain these old trees in good condition, using the pruned branches for firewood in the winter. It is especially important to keep the holm oaks pruned as they are the source of acorns which feed the black, iberic pigs producing the famous jamon iberico of Montanchez.

Community

We employ local people for all our building, renovating and farming work. We also give a significant boost to the local tradesmen through our property selling activities, we try to guide the renovation as much as possible in traditional ways and methods which we have used in our own home. We contribute to the important local jamon iberico industry by letting local farmers use parts of the land for their iberic pigs to eat the acorns. We buy all food and wine for the finca from local establishments. By attracting outside people to the area with our accommodation and activities we help the local shops and restaurants with new clients.

In winter local farmers use parts of the finca for their free range pigs. We have initiated a programme to revive the callejas, pathways, of the sierra dating back to Roman and Moorish times. Many have become choked with brambles and weeds. We have cleaned all the old callejas on the finca and surroundings and encourage the local councils to do the same. It is so important to keep these ancient ways open as they provide wonderful riding and walking, giving access to the remote, high olive groves and vineyards and the great views of the higher pastures.