Our olive oil carries a rich heritage dating back to 1922. We are a fourth-generation family estate bridging deep Cretan tradition with modern science and cutting-edge technology.

• Respect for the Land: For over a century, our family has nurtured the very same soils in the Messara Plain of Heraklion, Crete, passing down the wisdom of cultivating the indigenous Koroneiki variety from one generation to the next.
• Evolution: Today, the 4th generation has fully modernized production, investing in state-of-the-art milling and temperature-controlled storage facilities with a single mission: to craft an olive oil that stands as a globally acclaimed benchmark of health, purity, and culinary taste.

In our privately owned groves, we exclusively cultivate the premier Greek Koroneiki variety. The Koroneiki is internationally celebrated as the "queen" of oil-producing olives and is the ultimate choice for crafting superior-category olive oils.

• High Phenolic Density: It is the ideal cultivar for producing high-phenolic olive oil, thanks to its natural ability to concentrate dense levels of bioactive antioxidants.
• Distinct Sensory Profile: It yields an extra virgin olive oil defined by a rich fruity aroma, balanced bitterness, and a signature lingering peppery finish.
• Exceptional Longevity: Because of its abundant natural antioxidants, Koroneiki olive oil preserves its premium quality and vibrant flavor profile far longer than other olive varieties.

Vertical integration means we maintain absolute control over every single stage of the process—from the roots of our trees to the finished bottle on your table. Our olive oil is never a blend from outside growers or multiple regions.

• Privately Owned Groves: Ploumi is produced exclusively from our family’s ~125 acres (50 hectares / 500 stremmas) of private olive groves in Praitoria, Heraklion, Crete.
• Estate Olive Mill & Bottling Plant: Olives are cold-pressed immediately at our state-of-the-art estate mill, and bottling takes place in our own specialized, certified facility.
• Uncompromising Safety & Quality: Controlling the entire chain allows us to guarantee 100% quality, stable polyphenol density, and absolute traceability. You know exactly who, where, and how your olive oil was crafted.

Speed is the ultimate secret to preventing fruit degradation. At Karepidis Estate, olive milling takes place in record time.

• Immediate Transport: Because our olive mill is located in the exact same area as our private groves, the harvested olives are transported for extraction within just a few hours of picking.
• Zero Waiting Time: Our vertically integrated production ensures that olives are never piled up, preventing the heat buildup or fungal activity that spikes acidity.
• The Bottle Result: This immediate, seamless process locks in peak freshness, vibrant aromas, and precious bioactive nutrients, yielding an extra virgin olive oil with ultra-low acidity.

Cold extraction means that the malaxation and extraction of the olives in our mill are conducted strictly below 27°C (80.6°F).

• Protection of Polyphenols: High temperatures degrade heat-sensitive polyphenols and natural antioxidants. By keeping the process strictly cold, we lock the fruit's full health-protective potency directly into our olive oil.
• Preservation of Aromas: Cold extraction prevents the volatile, natural aromatic compounds of the olive from evaporating. As a result, our olive oil retains its crisp, fruity scent and vibrant fresh taste.
• Sacrificing Quantity for Quality: Cold extraction yields a lower volume of olive oil compared to conventional high-heat processing, but at Karepidis Estate, superior quality is entirely non-negotiable.

Our ultra-modern olive mill operates exclusively with a two-phase centrifugal system, globally recognized as the gold standard for ecological and qualitative excellence.

• Zero Added Water: Unlike older three-phase systems, the two-phase process requires no external water during separation. This is critical because polyphenols are water-soluble; adding water would wash away a large portion of these precious compounds into wastewater.
• Maximum Antioxidant Concentration: Because no water is introduced, all health-protective polyphenols remain concentrated within our olive oil, securing our exceptionally high laboratory ratings.
• Green & Eco-Friendly Operation: The two-phase system generates minimal liquid waste, protecting the water table and the natural ecosystem of the Messara Plain.

Proper storage is just as critical as extraction. At Karepidis Estate, we have invested in advanced infrastructure that guarantees absolute stability and protection for our olive oil.

• 19 Underground Tanks: We feature 19 state-of-the-art underground storage tanks, providing superior natural insulation from external environmental conditions.
• Stable 18°C Temperature: Thanks to their underground design, the temperature remains naturally and strictly stable at 18°C (64.4°F) year-round—the ideal thermal condition to prevent any degradation of bioactive compounds.
• Nitrogen-Blanketed Tanks: Our stainless steel tanks are continuously infused with food-grade nitrogen (inert gas) to displace oxygen, entirely halting oxidation and keeping delicate polyphenols fully preserved.
• High-Capacity Autonomy: Our modern facilities boast a total storage capacity approaching 1,000 metric tons, enabling us to manage our production with complete autonomy, traceability, and certified safety.

Bottling is the stage that seals an entire year’s dedication and hard work. In our state-of-the-art, privately owned bottling facility, packaging is conducted under the strictest standards with a single goal: to deliver our olive oil to your table exactly as it flowed from the mill.

• UV Light Protection: We exclusively use premium, dark glass bottles that filter harmful UV radiation and ambient light, preventing the photo-oxidation that degrades bioactive nutrients and delicate flavors.
• Controlled Bottling Environment: Bottling is carried out using cutting-edge automated technology, minimizing contact with ambient oxygen to protect the oil's freshness from the first second.
• Precision Safety Pourer: Our bottles are sealed with specialized controlled-flow pourers and tamper-evident caps, ensuring the container remains airtight, clean, and fully protected after every daily use.

Yes, at Karepidis Estate, producing world-class olive oil goes hand-in-hand with deep respect for the Cretan environment. We implement a circular economy model aimed at achieving a zero-waste environmental footprint.

• Byproduct Upcycling: Extraction byproducts (such as olive pits and pomace) are never discarded into the environment; instead, they are recycled and used as eco-friendly biofuel to power the energy needs of our olive mill.
• Eco-Conscious Water Management: We utilize advanced, low-water extraction technologies throughout the milling process, actively preserving our region's precious natural water resources.
• Natural Organic Fertilization: Olive leaves separated from the fruit during harvesting are returned directly to our groves, where they are composted and reused as natural organic fertilizer for our trees.

For us, quality is never just a promise; it is proven through rigorous international audits and certifications covering every single stage of our production process.

• International Food Safety Standards (IFS): Both our olive mill and bottling plant operate under the strictest food safety protocols, holding the premier international IFS (International Featured Standards) Food certification.
• Organic Cultivation & Origin Integrity: We hold official EU Organic (BIO) certifications, as well as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) certifications, validating the absolute authenticity, purity, and local origin of our Cretan extra virgin olive oil.