Our Story

Teresa Psillaki

Teresa Psillaki, daughter of the innovative scientist and organic farmer Nikos Psillakis, follows in her father’s footsteps, sharing his passion for the land, olive trees and the final product. She respects the achievements made and demonstrates perseverance and commitment in the pursuit of quality. The history and legacy of her family’s traditions are invaluable assets for the estate’s future.

Teresa Psillaki was born in Chania, Crete, in 1966, and her deep connection to the land and olive cultivation comes from her father. Growing up, she watched him tirelessly work to pioneer organic olive farming, not just in Crete but around the world. He shared his knowledge and passion with her, and she was right there with him, learning and growing through this innovative journey.

Teresa studied French language and literature in Athens and earned her Master’s degree in Paris, but her heart always remained in Crete. Today, she balances her role as a French teacher in secondary education with her commitment to her family’s vision. She continues to advance organic olive farming and is working to expand their reach into international markets.

Teresa Psillaki’s Legacy

Teresa Psillaki is part of a family that has deep roots in Crete, with her heritage stretching back five generations connected to the land and its olive groves.

Nikos Psillakis’ insight

Nikos Psillakis was a dedicated Cretan agronomist known for his expertise in olive cultivation. He played a key role in improving olive tree farming on the island and was celebrated by the Academy of Athens for his significant contributions.

“We do not go back. We simply move forward in a different way…”

Nikos, who represented the fourth generation of his family to manage their olive grove, had a deep connection to his land and a vision for its future. After studying agronomy and serving in World War II, he tackled the problem of olive fruit flies by joining a research program on new pesticides. His hard work paid off when the Ministry of Agriculture hired him and sent him to Spain and Italy for further training in olive cultivation.

Upon returning to Greece, Nikos was tasked with setting up the Olive Substation of the Corfu Olive Institute. He started with a neglected 15-hectare grove, which marked the beginning of his focused research on olive cultivation. His innovative methods and passion led him to help establish the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) and implement groundbreaking programs that transformed olive farming in Crete. He also applied these new techniques to his own estate.

Nikos was an early advocate for organic farming. As early as 1969, he began researching organic ways to control olive fruit flies. His commitment to organic methods continued throughout his career, and as Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, he contributed to the creation of European regulations on organic farming. He also served as President of the Organic Farmers Union of Greece. Since 1994, his olive grove has been certified organic, reflecting his dedication to sustainable agriculture.

Click Here for references to his work.

“To ensure the survival of our agriculture, there’s only one way forward: producing high-quality products that are not only delicious but also beautifully packaged.”

Nikos Psillakis

Our Vision

Our goal is to continue providing our product to our customers with the same exceptional and consistent quality they’ve come to know and trust. At the same time, we’re committed to maintaining a personal and friendly relationship with everyone who enjoys our olive oil, relying on personal connections and direct communication.