Olive trees thrive in a Mediterranean climate. Starting in late October – depending on the type of olive and region – the harvest begins, running until February. Farmers and, in recent years, an increasing number of international guests, shake the trees and gather olives in nets on the ground. It’s demanding work, but well worth the effort, as guests usually get to taste the oil produced from their fine pickings.
Organized olive harvesting experiences have become popular for several reasons. These include working outdoors in nature, often in Greece under blue winter skies in the fresh country air, making new friends, and participating in an authentic and ancient ritual. For almost 4.000 years, olive oil has been narrating a unique story that showcases Greece’s fertile land and connects people to their ancient cultural heritage as a symbol of peace, social and religious values, emblem of consecration and purity, affluence and wisdom.
The grand finale is the most precious moment of all: taking the olives to the mill where the oil is extracted. After olives are harvested, they’re transported to the mill, where they’re cleaned, sorted, and crushed into a paste. This paste undergoes gentle malaxation, allowing oil droplets to form. The mixture is then pressed or centrifuged to separate the liquid, and the pure olive oil is extracted, retaining its unique Greek flavor and quality.
Greece has around 120 million olive trees scattered across the country, an abundance that accounts for the olive oil’s wide-spread consumption. Most importantly though, it’s underpinned by its nutritional properties (antioxidant, cardio- protective and anti-inflammatory action) originally established by Hippocrates who recommended olive oil for 60 health problems, including for assuring longevity!
Some of the top olive oil producing regions most renowned for their olive oil are Crete and the Peloponnese, parts of Northern Greece and several islands. Here we present the best agritourism farms in these places that welcome guests to experience helping with the annual olive harvest.
01
Eumelia
At Eumelia, located in olive oil’s star producing area, Gouves Laconias, you have the option of either staying and experiencing the organic farm or just visiting them for the day. Enjoy olive picking, olive oil tastings, and farm-to-table cooking classes among other activities like seeing the animals and touring the farm. The highlight is the five-day tour where you will immerse yourself in the amazing world of olive oil in a holistic experience, living in an ancient olive grove with perennial trees and making natural olive oil soap.
02
Olive Farm
Despite its rather far-off location, the Olive Farm, a small farm run on sustainable principles, has acquired worldwide reputation. It is situated at the edge of the village of Litsarda, a tiny, beautiful village in the Apokoronas district in western Crete. The property includes a traditional cottage with a terrace and an outdoor kitchen in the olive grove where you can enjoy your harvest after a good day’s produce.
Explore the olive groves in areas of Protected Geographical Indication where you can do a couple of hours of olive picking. To round off your day, nibble on local delicacies under the trees and visit the olive mill to learn the process and sample the oil you helped produce. Accommodation is available in the nearby villages.
03
Koronekes Olive Farm
At Koronekes Olive Farm you can visit one of the largest olive groves in the region of Heraklion and attend tastings on the farm. The Koutoulakis family, who produces organic extra virgin olive oils in our own traditional olive mill from organic Koroneiki olive trees, has created a beautiful estate, perfect for visiting and learning all about the local olive farming, harvesting, processing, and of course, tasting!
The farm is located close to Spilia village, halfway between Knossos Palace Archaeological Site and Archanes Village, in an area rich with wineries and local tavernas, within easy driving distance of Heraklion Town of only 11 km.
04
Paros Olive Oil Tasting
Against a Cycladic -yet more hilly- dreamy backdrop Paros Olive Oil Tasting delivers high-quality olive oil tasting experiences on the namesake island. The itinerary includes exploring an olive grove in Lefkes and a tour of the traditional settlement, a walk on ancient footpaths and taste sessions of EVOO while pairing it with Cycladic dishes.
