Approximately 4 or 5 km from Barbastro on the HU V-3532 road there is a field of noble olive trees of the verdeña variety, which are still productive. Their huge trunks hint at their age, most are over 100 years old, highlighting a proud history of cultivation.

Verdeña is the most common variety in the Alto Aragon region and in Somontano accounts for 4,000 hectares of cultivated olive grove representing around 50% of the total. The green hue of the tree gives it its name (verde meaning green) and differentiates it from other varieties in the area. Centennial trees with huge, gnarled trunks give an indication of the history of olive cultivation in these parts.

The tree has an open appearance with foliage of medium density, is very resistant to cold and grows well in unirrigated soil. It also stands up well to being beaten with poles as one of the traditional methods for harvesting the olives.

The olives ripen late and acquire a uniform violet colour not quite reaching black. The small brownish markings on the skin distinguish it from other types of olives. Although very temperamental in terms of yield (one year can be good and the next poor) as with many olive varieties, it is very productive.

The oil of the verdeña variety is aromatic and harmonious with great stability and presents a glorious shade of green.

On the outskirts of Buera, close to the Santa Maria de Dulcis shrine (17^th century) there is a delightful spot where different varieties of Somontano olive tree can be found. 

Each tree displays an information plaque describing its characteristics and those of its olives.  Information on how the olives are used is also shown alongside a map highlighting where the various varieties can be found across Somontano.

The varieties growing in this magnificent olive grove are those of; albareta, injerto, alquezrana, arbequina, verdeña, blancal, piga, negral of Bierge, panseña, mochuto, sevillano (caspolina), gordal of Somontano, nación, cerruda of Artasona, alía, alcampelina, royeta of Asque and neral.

On the path used to reach the olive trees there is an ancient ice house known as the “Pozo d´os moros” which was once used for storing ice brought down from the mountains.  Buera is also home to the Torno de Buera, an olive oil mill from the 17^th century, fully restored and now home to a visitor centre dedicated to the olive trees and oils of Somontano.

Los aceites de Guara Somontano, de una excepcional calidad, son puro zumo de aceitunas sanas que conservan todas su vitaminas y antioxidantes naturales.

La variedad de los olivos, el tipo de suelo en el que crecen, las características del terreno en el que se asientan, las circunstancias en las que han madurado las olivas, el cuidado con el que se haya realizado su recolección y molienda y el clima, imprimen un sello de identidad a cada aceite.

 Aquí te mostramos algunos elementos que te permitirán conocer mejor el aceite de Guara Somontano, pero en tu estancia, no olvides visitar alguna nuestras almazaras donde te explicaran el proceso de elaboracion del aceite.