"Bringing the very highest quality products to the everyday table."

Harvesting at Vlahakis Family Olive Groves, in the wider area of Knossos.

Our olive oil and olives come from our family or local family or friends olive groves in Crete.  Located in the wider area of Knossos, on the hills of the local area called Marathitis. The sun drenched long sunny days, offer ideal growing conditions for excellent quality olive oil and olives.

The picking of the olives at the area of Knossos is during the early crop season starting in November/December, when the fruit is still not fully matured to produce the best quality of olive oil is possible. All of the Extra Virging Olive oils of the area of Knossos, have a rich dark olive green colour, a flavourfull village olive oil, flavour with a slight peppery taste that is highly appreciated and sought after by olive oil connoisseurs. This is the basis of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Olives.

Normal picking time begins in the fall and early winter,  when the fruit turns from greenish to purple-black. The best time to pick is when the fruit is three quarters black for the best bouquet and low acidity. The olives fall onto nets or large fabric pieces that are spread on the ground around the tree. At the same time that the olive fruit is picked, the tree is trimmed to get it ready for the next growing season.

This job calls for the whole family to help. Neighbours, friends and relatives help each other by picking each other's olives when theirs are not ready yet. Everyone shares in this strenuous, time consuming and exhausting effort.

The olives are placed in bags and carried out of the field.  Although it is very picturesque to witness it, it is a painstaking effort laced with anxiety to catch up with time. Olives in order to give their best have to be pressed within a very short time after picking.

With the exception of personal family consumption in Greece, 100% of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Olive production of Vlahakis Family, exported for sale and distribution in Europe.