Family, Integrity, Simplicity. Concepts that are the core of a centuries-old tradition. And at the center of our commitment to produce the world’s finest olive oils.

What makes our oils so great? Crete has the ideal climate for growing olives. It is dry with abundant sunshine – the most desirable conditions for the fruit of the olive tree. Because of the mountainous topography of Crete, the olive trees grow on hillsides that offer the maximum sun exposure to the fruit. And the climate of Crete is very benign with relatively minor year-round variations in temperature.

Our trees are owned by families who care for them like adored children. We prune our trees methodically so they will not become overburdened with fruit, to produce a richer olive oil.  We irrigate each grove according to its specific needs. Our organic oil is produced in accordance with the certification requirements for organic farming.

Our oil is made from single varietal Koroneiki olives. We handpick our olives and press them within hours so that fermentation is avoided and oxidation, the result of air entering into the fruit through damaged skin, is minimized. Oxidation is the cause of acidity in olive oil. Due to the care we take in making ARIA and ALIA, their levels of acidity are very low – around 0.35% – 0.4% (0.8% is the maximum allowed by European Union specifications for an oil to carry the designation “extra virgin”).

In extracting our oil we use the latest hygienic equipment designed to protect the fruit cell membranes. The temperature of the water used in the centrifuge process is limited to 80 degrees F in accordance with “cold-press” specifications. We store our oil immediately in air-tight stainless steel vats until it is bottled.

This is what our family on Crete has always been about. The meticulous care they bring to olive growing and oil making is, in this world, a thing of wonder. In this sense, they are like artists. When you experience their fine work, you also catch something of the true spirit of the humanity behind it. They are simple folk. They live in daily, intimate relation with the good earth of Crete lovingly producing an ancient commodity – olive oil.