Clos de la Torre extra virgin olive oil, produced by Oleícola del Empordà, has begun to be marketed in Japan. The company, located in Rabós d'Emprodà (Alt Emprodà), has signed an agreement with a Tokyo gourmet product distribution company to export its product.
The company expects that as soon as the commitment is consolidated, this new market will represent 30% of its exports. The manager of Clos de la Torre, Martí Clos, assures that Japan "is a market that is very interested in the culture of olive oil and highly appreciates the attributes of the product."
Until now, Clos de la Torre was present in northern European countries, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, through the luxury food chain Zingerman's Dlicatessen in Michigan. In 2019, the oil from this small Empordà winery was introduced to the Middle East through contacts with firms in Dubai and Doha in order to export the product, as well as in the Philippines and Singapore.
Currently, they are also working to export to central Europe, to countries like Austria and Germany. "Our most immediate objectives are to consolidate and expand our international distributor and to bring to fruition some of the contacts that we are working on to be able to open markets in other countries," the manager details.
Oleícola de l'Empordà produces three types of oils: high-end, local and ecological, as well as green and black olives. Clos de la Torre oil is produced exclusively from the harvest of olives from the company's farms located in Garriguella, Rabós d'Empordà, Espolla and Peralada (Alt Empordà).
It is a fruity and balanced oil that is made by hand with three olive varieties: argudell, native to the Empordà; Picual, of Andalusian origin; and frantoio, native to Italian Tuscany. It is packaged in dark glass bottles and metal cans to protect it from light.
The company, owned by a family with an Empordà olive growing tradition, began its modern trajectory 27 years ago; in fact, its manager represents the fourth generation. In 2011, a winery was built in Rabós d'Empordà with facilities that allow the product to be produced in an artisanal way. The company invoiced 300,000 euros last year.
Clos de la Torre extra virgin olive oil accumulates a large number of awards and recognitions. It has been awarded the Prestige Gold on several occasions, one of the highest awards in the TerraOlivo international competition, in Jerusalem (Israel), which keeps it among the best oils in the world.
In addition, he received the Silver Medal at the "Concours International des Huiles d'Olive du Monde Les Olivalies", in Cannes (France). The French Les Olivalies contest is organized by La Unió des Enologues de France and its objective is to highlight the complementarity that exists between the cultivation of the vine and the olive tree and to recognize these high quality olive oils.
