Last week, the Meridional Events team experienced first-hand one of the oldest and most typical traditions of Andalusia: harvesting olives. However, this harvesting of olives was just one of the many activities that our friends from LA Experience (organic farming), in Ronda, surprised us with on that day.
LA Experience is a delight for the senses, an oasis of peace, olive trees and oil just 2 km from Ronda. The project was born in 2004 when they produced their first organic olive oil, present today in more than 25 countries. However, LA Experience it is much more than that; it is a multisensory experience designed by the French architect Philippe Starck, which allows the visitor to participate in the whole process of oil production: from harvesting to bottling, to cleaning, grinding and extraction, being able to take home the olive oil that we have previously collected.
Upon our arrival, Santi and Mara were waiting for us at the Greenhouse, the nerve centre of the complex and where the itinerary begins and ends (besides the large multifunctional parking lot that, in addition to being a photography exhibition, can be used as a place for a large event). The Greenhouse has about 500 m2 and has a projection area where visitors are told the history and origin of olive oil, another area where tastings are made, the café area where you can taste some of the products of the farm, as well as two large terraces with unbeatable views of the Serranía de Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema.
The visit continued with a tour of the organic vegetable garden, where they have planted tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, watermelons, strawberries and onions, amongst many other fruits and vegetables. The intelligent irrigation system saves water and irrigates according to the needs of the product. Next, we discovered the vineyard area, of the Pinot-Noir variety and supervised by the renowned winemaker Michel Rolland; the fruit garden, with orange trees, quinces, lemon and apple trees, surrounding the beautiful and small chapel of Doña Lola, which features an Arab well at the entrance.
And that’s us almost at the end of the tour, where we find the Paseo de las Variedades, where ancient olive trees flank a pleasant central corridor. Each olive tree belongs to a different variety from those present in the Iberian Peninsula and different explanatory posters tell us about its use and extension, which marked the end of our visit.
However, that is not all. Philippe Starck has strategically placed six surprises along the way, six works of art that help to better understand the environment in which we find ourselves. These surprises are, without a doubt, the perfect touch to an inspiring and inviting place for calm.
At the end of our visit, we were able to participate in an activity suitable for any type of group that wishes to do a team-building activity or simply discover one of the most typical activities of Andalusia such as harvesting olives. Through the milking method and properly uniformed, we harvested olives, we took them to the mill and about 45 minutes later, we had the bottled oil in our hands.
Meanwhile, and guided by the expert knowledge of Mara, we took part in an oil tasting, where the two specialities of the house were present, LA Organic Original Intenso and LA Organic Original Suave. We learned many things about the different uses of olive oil and we were able to verify first-hand the excellent quality of their products.
Our hosts delighted us with a fantastic appetizer followed by a delicious Argentine roast, an exceptional way to end our visit to LA Experience.
If you are thinking about organizing an event in Ronda, LA Experience is the ideal place, as it has many multipurpose spaces, such as the original car park, the Greenhouse or the wonderful Cortijo, located within the complex and completely modernized. It has 4 rooms with views of the Serranía de Ronda and the olive groves that surround the complex. It also has a spectacular terrace, with excellent views and a capacity of 250 people, ideal for any type of event.
The arrival of LA Experience has been a breath of fresh air to the city of Ronda, which offers many possibilities in terms of corporate and MICE events.
Do not hesitate to contact us and we will gladly organize your meeting, conference, incentive or golf break in Ronda or other destinations in the South of Spain. Meridional Events is your local and trusted DMC for all types of MICE and corporate events in Andalusia. Contact us!
