Manchego Cheese

ORIGENDIS by Dehesa Zacatena is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Manchego cheese, produced in the heart of La Mancha.

Dehesa Zacatena is located within Las Tablas de Daimiel, a 950-hectare oasis surrounded by the La Mancha steppe and an area of exceptional ecological value. This unique natural environment plays an important role in the distinctive quality and character of its cheeses.

Cheese has been produced in this area since the 16th century, using milk from sheep grazing on the Dehesa. Today, the estate gives its name to these exceptional cheeses. The richness of its pastures, documented in historical publications, is due in part to Magarza, a high-quality native grass traditionally valued as sheep forage for more than 800 years.

With the support of Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park, a protected natural area and Biosphere Reserve, Dehesa Zacatena is helping to preserve and promote the traditional breeding of Manchega sheep, transforming their milk into exceptional artisan Manchego PDO cheese while ensuring that farming activities remain in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Dehesa Zacatena continues to manage the estate using traditional methods, combining craftsmanship, sustainability, and modern food-production standards to create premium artisan Manchego cheese.

The cheese-making operation began in 1990, maintaining a production model that respects the environment while incorporating the technology necessary to ensure consistent quality.

What makes the Dehesa Zacatena cheese factory exceptional is its commitment to placing tradition and quality ahead of volume, achieving a careful balance between natural ingredients, craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability.