The beautiful region of Peloponnesos Messenia

Nestor’s olive groves are located in Peloponnesos, Messenia, in the southwest of Greece. The area has a 5000-year history and mythology. The region is famous for King Nestor, as mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey, and the famous ‘Battle of Navarino,’ which was part of Greece’s liberation.

Messinia is well-known for its extra virgin olive oil and olives. Since the Mycenean era, the latter has been a large agricultural product of the region. Excavations at the palace of Nestor, King of Pylos, have confirmed this. The Greeks were among the first to cultivate olive trees in the Mediterranean basin.

The Navarino Bay area

Nestor’s olive gardens are located along the sea between Chora and Pylos, in the mythical land of King Nestor. We invite you to spend your vacation in this area, visiting the gardens and many historical and mythological sites.

The superior quality of our olive oil is due to the unique terroir, microclimate, and farming practices such as dry cultivation and early harvesting (hand picked).

Nestor’s Olive Gardens

A distinct soil profile results in ripe, full-flavored, richly concentrated fruit and a distinct Extra Virgin Olive Oil, delivered by passionate artisan local producers. The health of the olive trees is carefully monitored to ensure that the olive fruit has the best chance of optimizing throughout the season and developing strong, clean flavors. The Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made from the Koroneiki variety, which is only found in Greece.

Rich soil, natural drainage, mild winters, sunshine, and plenty of fresh air in a pollution-free environment. Everything is done in accordance with tradition and the advice of today’s experts.

Only the best is chosen from the land’s production each year, processed under careful supervision while adhering to traditional methods, and stored in optimal conditions to preserve all precious nutrients, in an environment where everyone believes that quality is the result of loving what you do.

The harvest of the olives

The harvest begins in the fall, when the olives are green and about to turn purple. It is the time of year when all of the aromas, flavors, and nutrients are at their peak. The harvest is entirely manual. The olives fall into nets that are laid out on the ground after the trees are plucked or hit with a stick. The olives are transported by tractor to the olive mill where they are pressed at the end of the day. The olives are harvested in November and December and pressed within 12 hours of harvesting to ensure very low acidity.

Oleuropein, a polyphenol responsible for the bitter taste, is a key component of early harvest. Oleuropein levels decrease as olives ripen, which is why ripe olives are less bitter.

The higher the oleuropaine concentration in olive oil, the higher its pharmaceutical value.

Oleocanthal is a derivative of oleuropaine, which gives olive oil its distinctive pungent aftertaste in the back of the throat. It is anti-inflammatory in nature.

The Growing of the Olive Trees

At Nestor Sustainable Farming, we are dedicated to producing the highest quality olive oil using sustainable and natural methods. To achieve this, we prioritize the growth of the Koroneiki olive, which is known for its low acidity and high polyphenol content.

Our olive trees are grown in conditions that allow them to receive plenty of sunlight and minimal water, which helps to produce olives with a rich and flavorful taste. To encourage the growth of strong branches that can support a heavy yield of olives, we prune the trees twice a year to give them more “air.”

To maintain the purity and natural goodness of our olive oil, our farmers do not use any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. While this method may yield a smaller quantity of olives, it results in a higher quality product that is free from any artificial additives or residues. We believe that this commitment to natural and sustainable methods is essential for producing the best possible olive oil.

The Harvest of the Olives

At Nestor Sustainable Farming, we place a strong emphasis on the quality and sustainability of our olive oil production process. To ensure that our olives are of the highest quality, we carefully plan our harvest for the end of October and the beginning of November. This early harvest allows us to produce olive oil with a low acidity (0.1-0.4) and a high polyphenol content, which is associated with numerous health benefits.

To maintain the purity and freshness of our olives, we carefully hand-pick them and transport them to the olive mill within hours of harvest. This ensures that the olives are processed as quickly as possible and allows us to produce an olive oil that is rich in flavor and aroma.

During the olive oil extraction process, we maintain strict temperature control to preserve the unique characteristics of our olive oil. We extract the oil at cold temperatures, with a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, in order to preserve its distinctive green color, rich, fruity aroma, and high polyphenol content. By carefully controlling every step of the production process, we are able to produce an olive oil that is of the highest quality and purity.

The milling process

At Nestor Sustainable Farming, we take great care to ensure that our olive oil production process is of the highest quality and sustainability. After the olives are harvested and transported to the olive mill, they are carefully washed and the leaves and branches are separated.

The olives are then processed at a state-of-the-art oil processing factory using a continuous system. To extract the oil, the olives are crushed at low temperatures using a cold-press method, which helps to preserve the nutritional value of the oil and avoid any biochemical changes. The oil is then pressed at 27 degrees Celsius in order to preserve its high concentration of polyphenols and rich, fruity aroma.

To extract the oil from the olives, we use modern high-speed centrifugal machines. The oil obtained through this process is known as Extra-Virgin olive oil, which is the highest quality and purest form of olive oil. One kilogram of Extra-Virgin olive oil requires approximately 5 kilograms of olives, making it a highly prized and nutrient-rich product. At Nestor Sustainable Farming, we believe that our Extra-Virgin olive oil is not only the healthiest olive oil you can eat, but also one of the healthiest things on the planet.

The botteling process

At Nestor Sustainable Farming, we take pride in the quality and presentation of our olive oil packaging. To ensure that our products reach our customers in the best possible condition, we use modern bottling techniques and offer a range of packaging options to suit your needs.

If desired, our olive oil can be filtered using either natural or mechanical methods before bottling. This helps to ensure that the oil is free from any impurities or particles that might affect its quality.

We offer a range of packaging sizes and types, including bottles ranging from 50 mL to 700 mL, “bag in box” containers ranging from 3 liters to 10 liters, and pouches ranging from 500 mL to 1 liter. We can also accommodate custom packaging requests, and can provide labels that are printed directly on the package or attached to the packaging.

If you have any specific packaging needs or requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to work with you to find the best packaging solution for your needs.

The taste of Nestor’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil

At Nestor Sustainable Farming, we are dedicated to producing Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the highest quality and flavor. Our oil is crafted using the finest features of the Koroneiki olive variety, resulting in a robust and spicy oil with a powerful yet elegant and balanced taste.

The aroma of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is complex and nuanced, with notes of grass, artichoke, and green tea, accented by hints of herbs and ripe fruit. The flavor is floral and buttery, with a pleasant fruity taste that is the result of our devotion to the craft and our unique production practices.

We believe that our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a truly special and extraordinary product, and we are proud to share it with our customers. Whether enjoyed as a finishing touch to a dish or used as a cooking oil, we believe that our Extra Virgin Olive Oil will add depth and flavor to any recipe.