Anyone for plump, juicy tomatoes, recently harvested? Glossy peppers or aubergines? A thirst-quenching, cooling watermelon? These and more are among the summer vegetables and fruit grown in the beautiful, fertile valley in Mallorca near Manacor, known as Sa Vall.

This peaceful Mallorcan valley is home to the rural hotel Reserva Rotana, which has its own private nine-hole golf course. But most of the rest of Sa Vall is given over to agricultural activities.

We know Sa Vall quite well and I often wished we could find a farm shop in the valley as it’s not too far from our home. Thanks to a new initiative launched a few weeks ago, it’s now possible to shop for fresh, seasonal produce on Saturday mornings.

S’Hort de sa Vall

S´Hort de sa Vall is the result of Terracor – which grows produce on land in different areas around Manacor – joining forces with Estel de Llevant, a non-profit organisation in Mallorca helping people with mental health issues and, in the case of this latest project, providing employment for five people in the farm shop and kitchen.

Under the umbrella of the Venda Directa scheme, enabling the public to buy direct from producers, the smart farm shop opens to sell its well-displayed produce. As well as fresh fruit and veg, you’ll find local cheese, wines, preserves, pickles, sobrasada, olive oils, etc for sale.

Stop for a Drink Too

There’s more: the beautifully renovated building that houses the farm shop also has a large kitchen and space for event catering. On Friday evenings they offer a guided visit and tasting dinner – which must be booked in advance on the preceding Tuesday or Wednesday. As soon as the temperature drops, we’ll be there.

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After we’ve done our shopping, we buy a coffee to drink there, standing at one of the old wine barrels serving as tables. You can also have tea, one of the infusions produced by Estel de Llevant, or even a glass of wine. Prices for everything here are good value. Each time we’ve been, we’ve also been offered free tastings of some of their products.

If your Spanish is non-existent, don’t worry: the lady in charge speaks perfect English, having lived in Birmingham, UK, for a while.

Good to Know

S’Hort de Sa Vall farm shop is open to the public on Saturday mornings from 9am until 1.30pm. From Manacor, take the road off the Via Palma signposted to Reserva Rotana, then continue on the same road past the hotel entrance, until you eventually see the greenhouses and green Venda Directa sign on your left. There’s plenty of parking.

The website for s’Hort de sa Vall is still under construction, but you’ll find them on Instagram and Facebook.

©Jan Edwards 2021