Some things disappear quietly, unless someone decides they matter.

Ancient olive groves don’t vanish overnight.

They disappear one storm at a time; one flood; one fire...

In central Portugal, around Coimbra, this is already happening. Century-old native Galega olive trees are being replaced by eucalyptus plantations. Faster. Cheaper. Forgettable. We chose a different path...

In 2015, what started as a small family project became Passeite:

a farm rooted in respect for land, heritage and time.

Beyond our own groves, we help protect and manage others.

This isn’t just extra virgin olive oil. It’s a way of keeping history alive.

Nature has tested us before. This time, it hit deeper.

On the morning of 28 January, storm Kristin changed everything.

Our groves remain under water as storm Leonardo came right after

We don’t yet know if the trees will survive the waterlogging.

Our 30-year-old wooden barn — the operational heart of the farm — collapsed completely.

By sheer luck, tractors had been moved the night before.

Our animals were found alive beneath the debris.

Our family is safe.

For that, we are deeply grateful.

Why this moment matters more than a building?

Right now, we are restoring an 18th-century farmhouse to create a small, high-quality olive mill, not just for ourselves, but for other local producers who want to do things right. It will be a place for tasting, education and shared knowledge. A future-facing project rooted in tradition. We invested our savings there.

But without the barn, Passeite cannot continue in its current form.

Because rebuilding it isn’t just about a building, it’s about keeping this legacy alive. A place of learning, hospitality, and shared knowledge that has shaped far more than our farm: nurturing the next generation of olive oil producers, passing on traditions and skills that might otherwise be lost, and helping to revive Coimbra’s forgotten heritage of centuries-old olive groves.

Asking for help is not something we are used to!

We are usually the ones helping - the land, the community, friends, other farmers. But rebuilding after this storm is not something we can do alone.

We received quotes between €35,000 and €51,000 to rebuild the barn.

Every contribution will go entirely toward this.

This is not about charity. It’s about continuity...

Every contribution moves us closer to rebuilding, restoring, and continuing our work, and every euro directly goes to making that possible. Whether you can give today or share this with someone who can, you are helping ensure that this story doesn’t end here.

With gratitude // Com gratidão,

Marije & Gui Passos

Passeite