A Trip to Spain

Recently, Chris Theisen, Dori, Sarah, and Bill had the incredible opportunity to travel to Spain. We were invited by our Spanish red-leg provider, Grupo Altube Garmendia. The owner, Patxi Garmendia, extended a warm invitation to visit their facilities and deepen our partnership.

This trip was not only a chance to learn more about their operations but also to experience firsthand the passion and dedication behind their work.

Our Relationship with Grupo Altube Garmendia

At MacFarlane Pheasants, we previously imported French red-leg partridge eggs. A shift in U.S. import regulations two years ago halted poultry imports from France after they began vaccinating ducks against Avian Influenza. 

While this posed an initial challenge, it led us to Grupo Altube Garmendia. A customer of ours had hunted their Spanish red-leg partridges and requested that we start supplying these birds. The transition has been seamless, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. 

Grupo Altube Garmendia has become an invaluable partner, providing us with high-quality eggs that align with our commitment to excellence. We have since been importing their eggs and raising these red-legged partridges to sell as mature birds.

Exploring Burgos and Finca Santa Rosalía

During our trip we stayed in Burgos, Spain and we explored the nearby facilities of Grupo Altube Garmendia. We spent four days with their veterinarian, Carlos, with whom we work closely and Patxi’s daughter, Ainhoa Garmendia who runs the operations at the company. We are so grateful for their hospitality and the expertise they shared with us.

One of the highlights was touring their estate, Finca Santa Rosalía. It’s a stunning operation where they raise red-leg partridges and Wagyu cattle, maintain a KMO organic garden, and even produce their own organic wine. The estate also houses two restaurants and a food production facility, all run with a philosophy centered on animal welfare and respect for nature.

What impressed us most was their approach to raising red-leg partridges. They respect the birds’ natural, limited, and seasonal laying cycles, resulting in eggs rich in essential nutrients. This method ensures healthier chicks and the highest-quality mature birds. Their commitment to quality over quantity mirrors the values we hold at MacFarlane Pheasants.

We flew into and out of Madrid and stayed one night in the city to explore.

Continuing to Grow our Red-Leg Sales

This trip reaffirmed our excitement about expanding this part of our business. Grupo Altube Garmendia’s dedication to sustainability and excellence makes them an ideal partner, and we’re proud to work with them.

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up to increase our mature red-leg partridge sales in 2025. We’re excited to continue growing this venture and providing our customers with the exceptional quality they’ve come to expect from MacFarlane Pheasants.