Back in our farm, the time has come for the Koroneiki olives to be picked. The Koroneiki olive, the “royal” type, is highly praised for its exquisite taste and texture of olive oil.

Our harvest begins when the fruit is still green and unripe because these olives have been proved to have the highest levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, essential to maintain a balanced healthy diet.

It is now the time of the year for the First Harvest olives to be picked. First Harvest olives are made from unripe Kalamata olives while they are small and still green and full of nutrients! The unripe olives are much more difficult to pick by hand than when ripe, so the process is quite laborious. After picking, the olives go through a stringent selection process by hand and eye. This is to remove damaged olives, which could spoil both the quality and the flavour of our delicious olives. 

These olives will be kept in special barrels for the fresh water curing process to begin. The result is always very rewarding but we have to wait from 6 to 9 months. Our natural curing process is a closely guarded family secret that requires dedicated and constant observation. Then they are marinated in organic extra virgin olive oil and homemade vinegar, to give a unique, intense, slightly bitter flavour and crunchy texture!

We love these baby Kalamata olives and they are also extremely healthy for you!

We sat on the edge of one of the groves, overlooking a small sheep farm. The hills ring with the sound of herdsmen driving their flocks to higher pastures. The sheep are allowed to graze in the groves at select times of the year. Their manure sustains the olives for next year.

The olive groves in this area of the Peloponnese are endless...This lush valley between the Taygetus and Parnonas mountains confines the mighty Evrotas river. On the fertile banks of the river and extending to the lower hills of the mountains, sit the olive trees. In these groves amongst ancient trees time seems to stand still. Through the olive laden branches you can see the snow capped peaks of mt. Taygetus. Amongst the olives grow citrus trees, walnut trees and vines in abundance. On the floor of the grove grows a carpet of wild flowers...