FAQs – Hostalets Farm
Frequently asked
questions
Everything about our estate-grown extra virgin olive oil, shipping and orders.
- 1–2 daysDelivery in mainland Spain
- €120Free shipping from
- 30 daysFor returns
The estate and the harvest
Where is Finca Hostalets olive oil produced?
In our own olive groves in the Serra de Montsant, in the Priorat (Tarragona, Spain). It is organic extra virgin olive oil from the Arbequina variety, protected by the PDO Siurana.
How and when is the harvest done?
The harvest begins in the first half of October, at veraison. The olives are picked by hand, by milking, and milled that same day by mechanical cold extraction at 27 °C. Micro-batch production.
What is the PDO Siurana?
It is the Protected Designation of Origin covering the extra virgin olive oils of this area of Tarragona, made mainly from Arbequina. It certifies the origin and controls the quality of each oil.
What is the Doce Lunas Llenas limited edition?
It is our 1.5 litre Magnum, bottled once a year with the harvest. Each year it is a limited edition, with the bottles numbered by hand and presented in their case.
How is an order presented as a gift?
Each bottle comes in its case, and every order is packed and wrapped individually by hand at the estate before shipping.
Extra virgin olive oil
What is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)?
Extra virgin olive oil is the natural juice of the olive, obtained solely by mechanical means, with no refining or chemical treatment.
It is the highest category: it requires an acidity below 0.8% and a faultless aroma and flavour profile. It keeps the natural aromas and polyphenols of the fresh olive.
What is the difference between virgin and extra virgin olive oil?
The difference lies in quality and sensory profile. Extra virgin is the highest category: faultless aroma and flavour and an acidity below 0.8%.
Virgin olive oil is also obtained by mechanical means, but may show slight aroma or flavour defects. That is why extra virgin is the reference in Mediterranean cuisine.
What does the acidity of olive oil mean?
Acidity measures the free fatty acids in the oil. The lower it is, the better the condition of the olives and the more careful the production.
Our EVOO has an acidity of 0.12%, well below the 0.8% limit of the category.
What is an early-harvest oil?
It is oil from olives picked at the start of the season, at veraison: when the fruit begins to change colour and reaches its optimal point.
It has greater aromatic intensity and a fresher, more complex profile. It is the oil we make at Finca Hostalets: picked by hand in our own groves, at the exact moment.
Taste and tasting
What does Arbequina olive oil taste like?
Arbequina has a soft, fruity and elegant profile, with notes of fresh almond, green tomato, grass and apple.
It shines raw: in salads or on bread with tomato. At Finca Hostalets we grow it in our own olive groves in the Priorat.
Why does olive oil sting the throat?
The sting in the throat is a sign of quality. It comes from polyphenols, natural compounds of the olive.
Our EVOO has 292 mg/kg of total polyphenols, a value typical of a fresh, well-made oil.
How do I taste olive oil at home?
Pour a little into a small glass and warm it in your palm to release the aromas. Bring it to your nose: grass, almond, green fruit.
Then take a small sip and spread it around your mouth. A good EVOO shows balance between fruitiness, bitterness and pungency: all three are signs of quality.
What dishes pair best with Arbequina oil?
Salads, grilled vegetables, fish, mild cheeses, carpaccios and bread with tomato.
Its soft profile enhances every ingredient, making it the ideal finishing oil.
Storage
How should olive oil be stored?
Olive oil asks for darkness, coolness and a well-closed bottle: a cupboard or pantry, away from the hob and sudden changes in temperature.
How long does extra virgin olive oil keep?
It keeps well over time and is at its best within 18–24 months of harvest. Every bottle shows its harvest date, so you know exactly when the oil was born.
How long does the oil last once opened?
Once opened, it is at its best in the first few weeks. Well closed and protected from light, it keeps for several months.
Should olive oil be kept in the fridge?
The fridge is unnecessary. The ideal temperature is between 14 and 18 °C: a kitchen cupboard away from heat is perfect.
Shipping and delivery
How long does my order take to arrive?
- Mainland Spain1–2 working daysFree from €120
- Balearic Islands48–72 working hours€8.90 · Free from €60
- Portugal2–3 working days€10 · Free from €100
- Europe3–5 working days€10
- USA and Canada5–10 working days€45 · Free from €300
- Asia and Oceania7–15 working days€86
How can I track my order?
Each order is handed to the carrier the same day. As soon as it leaves, you will receive an email with the tracking number.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship to most European countries, the United States, Canada and selected destinations in Asia and Oceania. For other destinations, write to us.
Can there be customs charges?
For shipments outside the European Union, duties or customs taxes may apply. They are paid by the customer, separately from shipping, where applicable.
Payments and returns
Which payment methods do you accept?
Credit or debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay. All payments are processed through secure platforms with SSL encryption.
Is my purchase secure?
Yes. The store runs on Shopify with SSL encryption: your personal and payment details are protected at all times.
Can I return a product?
Yes. You have 30 days from delivery. The item must be unused, in the condition you received it, in its original packaging and with proof of purchase.
To start a return, email jose@fincahostalets.com with your order number.
Which products are excluded from returns?
As these are food products (oil, truffle, vinegar), returns are accepted with the container unopened. Gift cards and health or personal care items are excluded from returns.
Partial refunds apply when the item arrives in a different condition from the original, is damaged or has missing parts for reasons beyond our control, or is returned more than 30 days after delivery.
How do refunds work and who pays for return shipping?
Once we receive and inspect your return, we will confirm by email whether the refund is approved. If so, the amount is credited to your original payment method in the following days.
Return shipping costs are paid by the customer. Items bought at full price are refunded. Return address: Carrer de Raset, nº 25, 08022 Barcelona, Spain.
What if I receive a defective product?
If you receive a wrong or damaged product, we replace it free of charge. Write to us within 30 days of delivery with your order number and a photo of the product.
Any other
questions?
Write or call us. Reply within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
- Emailjose@fincahostalets.com
- Phone+34 662 382 699
- WhatsApp+34 617 425 579
- FormSend a message
