Story of
the "Lagar" in Finca Santa Marta
The word is
used only in few regions of Spain.In Extremadure it evokes the existence of a
wine- producing farm;in Asturias
it is used by the cider-making farmers.
Finca Santa Marta belonged as from mid 19 th century to middle
class entrepreneurs of the Trujillo
bourgeoisie,in absence of the nobles who ruled the country life in previous
centuries.Their business was probably related to textile,as the processing of
merino wool was in full swing. The slopes of the nearby hills being
sufficiently fertile to cultivate vines between the usual olive trees,some of
the more dynamic minded gentry amplified theur secondary residences with wine
cellars and olive -oil pressing units thereby providing locals with year round
work opportunities. The small Pago San Clemente hamlet,gradually grew into a
residencial area.With its chillier weather at the foot of the first hills of
Guadalupe,it still retains in the eyes of the neighbouring villages a slight
aura of disctinction.
The mansion
owners occupied only the first floor of these residences,as they usually only
came for the week ends.The foreman and his family settled on the
groundfloor,near the wine cellars with huge casks.Sunday servces were held at
the family chapel;its tower supports a huge stork nest where presumably the
same bird- couple ret witg granite urns in February.Through the orange tree
shaded patio,donkeys returned to their "cuadra"(cobble stoned stables
with the original granite
mangeoires).But the last "capataz" of Santa Marta who had
inherited his function from his forfathers,told us his prestige was mainly
based on managing the production of olive oil.The process from the grinding of
olives by a donkey, girating granite cones to a still existing pressing machine
took place until 1965,in a huge barn,called "prensa"
or"almazara".
The barn is
since the present owners took possession in 1990,now converted to a dining
room.Set between two lovely patios with orange trees, guests can still inhale
special historical flavor of an authentic Extremadura farmhouse.
In front of
Santa Marta,a similar wine-producing farmhouse belonged to another member of
the Trujillo gentry.Its foreman used to scribble on the wall of the his cellar
(bodega) short vertical lines in groups of five,indicating the arrobas"(11 liters) he produced
each year.They were left untouched during the renovation of this house too,as
well as the impressive granite reservoir where grapes were trampled by the
family.That area is now the present living room of the country inn.
