LA Almazara, located in Ronda and designed by Philippe Starck, has received the award for the best olive oil tourism experience in Andalucía at the inaugural Andalucía Oleotourism Awards. This prestigious accolade, driven by the Olive Foundation and the Junta de Andalucía through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, Water, and Rural Development, as well as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, aims to highlight and reward the best tourism initiatives related to extra virgin olive oil (AOVE).

The jury particularly valued the originality of the proposal, excellence in service delivery, promotion of the Andalusian olive heritage, and its positive impact on local development. These criteria define LA Almazara’s approach from its inception. The jury was composed of experts from the Olive Foundation, the University of Jaén, the Andalusian Academy of Gastronomy and Tourism, and the International Olive Council.

Beyond its role as a production space, LA Almazara has established itself as an experiential destination that connects visitors to the world of extra virgin olive oil from a cultural, sensory, and contemporary perspective. Its proposal intertwines landscape, architecture, and olive heritage with an innovative vision aligned with modern experiential tourism demands.

This award thus recognizes a model that significantly contributes to valuing the territory and reinforcing Andalucía’s identity as a tourist destination linked to excellence and authenticity while emphasizing the future of Andalusian olive oil tourism as a key tool for connecting landscape, culture, and local development.

Interior of LA Almazara

The first edition was marked by a high level of participation and international projection, receiving 33 nominations from 26 locations and seven provinces in Andalucía, along with entries from five countries, highlighting the growing international interest in olive oil tourism in the region. The jury noted the high quality of the submissions and the challenges of the final deliberation, emphasizing the established role of olive oil tourism as a sector capable of generating economic, cultural, and territorial value.

The award was presented by Yolanda Aguilar, the General Secretary for Tourism of the Junta de Andalucía, during the official award ceremony.

Santiago Muguiro, CEO of LA Almazara, expressed, “It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition in an inaugural edition with such a high level of nominations. LA Almazara was created with the goal of positioning Andalucía as an international reference in producing, sharing, and valuing our product and territory.” He added, “For us, it is a way of narrating our land, opening the olive grove to visitors, and sharing a culture that is part of our identity. This award precisely acknowledges that effort to transform an exceptional product into a complete experience linked to the territory.”

First edition of the Andalucía Oleotourism Awards
First edition of the Andalucía Oleotourism Awards

LA Almazara, Ronda
LA Almazara, Ronda