Our History
First Generation - The Beginning
This little patch of land has been inhabited since Roman times. A Roman olive oil mill was found in the area as well as a Paleochristian Basilica,
Cortijo Coracho™ was built around an old stable that provided shelter for the mules that ploughed the land. The house was build at the doorstep of an old drover's road (Cañada Real) that went from Benameji to Loja, which is now legally protected.
Jose and Josefa Sicilia built one of the first almazaras (olive oil factory) at Cortijo Coracho™ in Lucena in 1930s. They had 2 sons, Juan and Jose Maria and one daugther, Angeles. This map shows Cortijo Coracho™ in 1909.
Second Generation - The Expansion
Jose Maria inherited Cortijo Coracho™.
Jose Maria got married to Mercedes Ecija Carrasquilla when they were in their 30's and each one had their own business.
Mercedes had a dairy farm based at Cortijo Coracho™ and supplied milk to Lucena.
Jose Maria expanded the business into Orujo Oil, wine making and had the main almazara (olive oil factory) at Cortijo Coracho™, Lucena. Many people in the surroundings sold their olives to him.
Jose Maria and Mercedes had two children, Pepe and Mariangeles.
Second Generation - The Expansion
This is the BOE (Official Estate Bulleting of Spain), 23.08.1953 which shows that Pepe invested 625,000 pesetas into the production of orujo oil, an oil extracted from a bi-product of olive oil.
Third Generation - Modernisation & Branding
Pepe and Mariangeles inherited Cortijo Coracho™ in 1985.
Pepe modernised the factory for the 21st century, installed a bottling plant and sold his olive oil under Aceites Coracho.
Mariangles analysed the olives and olive oil to ensure their quality and later became a pharmacist setting up a very successful pharmacy in Lucena. Pepe died in 2022 and thanks to Mariangeles, Cortijo Coracho's heritage and traditions have been preserved whilst Coracho enters the next era.
Third Generation - Modernisation & Branding
Cortijo Coracho™ taken around 1986, showing the extent of the Cortijo and mill. The Swimming pool hadn't been built at that time.
The old mill stones can be seen stacked up an the bottom of the picture close to the trailer.
Fourth Generation - A New Chapter
Cortijo Caracho™ moves into a new chapter and stays in the family with Mercedes, the granddaughter of Mercedes Ecija Carrasquilla, taking ownership of Cortijo Coracho™ in 2024 and with the help of her Husband Andrew Cuthbert from the Northeast of England began the restoration of the Cortijo and the land.
In this photo, Mercedes, Andrew and their Son and Daughter joined the rest of the fourth and fifth generation of the Sicilia family at Cortijo Coracho™, Lucena to celebrate its re-birth or Renacimiento.
The good old days
The Family Grows
The Family Grows
The Family Grows
Mercedes (pregnant with Pepe), Jose Maria and MariAngeles.
Fun at the Fair
The Family Grows
The Family Grows
Mariangeles and Pepe on the carrousel.
On a Tractor Toy
The Family Grows
We really like this picture. You don't see those tractors very often now.
At the Front Gate
Mariangeles and Pepe with other children at Coracho.
Celebrating with Paella
At Cortijo Coracho™, they certainly enjoyed themselves and celebrated life as much as they could.
All Merry & Happy
Ladies having a little glass of dessert wine.