The dehesa
Last natural Mediterranean forest
The most beautiful ecosystem of the Iberian landscape
Last natural Mediterranean forest
The dehesa, the last natural Mediterranean forest, is one of the most beautiful ecosystems of the Iberian landscape. This is where our Iberian pigs are reared and fattened, surrounded by ancient oaks and cork oaks, which produce acorns, and enveloped by the aromas of rock rose, heather, mastic, juniper and rosemary. An endless mosaic of grasslands showing every shade of green in autumn and winter, multi-coloured in spring, and resplendent with ochre, yellow and brown colours in summer.
Human interaction is kept to a minimum in this natural setting. Stone walls separate the hedges or enclosures; Trees are pruned and new Holm oak and cork oak fields are posted. This ensures the survival of this unique environment.
Señorio de Montanera includes more than 60,000 hectares of dehesa, which serve as a natural setting for the rearing of pure Iberian pigs, who yield the very best Spanish Iberico ham, with a quality guaranteed by the Dehesa de Extremadura Designation of Origin.
About the dehesa de extremadura
SAN PEDRO HIGHLANDS
Located between the Tagus and Guadiana valleys, low-altitude mountain ranges that are a natural paradise for Iberian pigs, wild boars and deer.
HORNACHOS HIGHLANDS
Espacios singulares, con una densidad de arbolado cambiante y disposiciones de las serranías arbitrarias y caprichosas.
JEREZ HIGHLANDS
This region is home to most of the acorn-fed Iberian pigs and entails the largest mass of quercine trees in the entire Iberian Peninsula.
Sierra Morena
Extraordinarily broken dehesas with abundant Portuguese oaks (Quercus faginea), cork oaks and Holm oaks.
Monfragüe y Valle del Alagón
Neighbouring the Monfragüe National Park, where cork oaks and endangered species abound.
Montánchez y Llanos de Trujillo
In the middle of Extremadura, pigs coexist with merino sheep between oak, fig and extensive natural grasslands.
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