AREA

VATIKA

In the southern tip of Cape Malea is the area of Vion (or Vatika).

The sharp contrasts of the landscape create unique images.

In the center stands the mountain of Krithina (altitude 800m), with its edges to the sea forming sheltered coves, old pirate bases and small beaches, “erasing” the cliffs at Cape Malea.

Kavomalia with its stone lighthouse, known for the stories and myths about the difficulties sailors faced when trying to cross it, make it the point of reference for the region.

On the other hand, the calm bay Neapolis, a refuge for ships in case of big storms, the fertile plain of Vion and the extensive beaches of Nerantziona and Magganos, contradict with the ferocity of the remaining landscape.

Olive oil constitutes the most important product of the area and it is inextricably linked to the history of the place.

VATIKA

In the southern tip of Cape Malea is the area of Vion (or Vatika).

The sharp contrasts of the landscape create unique images.

In the center stands the mountain of Krithina (altitude 800m), with its edges to the sea forming sheltered coves, old pirate bases and small beaches, “erasing” the cliffs at Cape Malea.

Kavomalia with its stone lighthouse, known for the stories and myths about the difficulties sailors faced when trying to cross it, make it the point of reference for the region.

On the other hand, the calm bay Neapolis, a refuge for ships in case of big storms, the fertile plain of Vion and the extensive beaches of Nerantziona and Magganos, contradict with the ferocity of the remaining landscape.

Olive oil constitutes the most important product of the area and it is inextricably linked to the history of the place.

OLIVE PRODUCTION

Olive production in Vatika is a tradition that remained unchanged over the years. The olive tree, a symbol of ancient Greece, and the olive oil, an elixir of life, coexist in this place. From the fifth millennium BC , by the findings of the oldest submerged town of Pavlopetri, numerous vessels for stocked olive oil where found. Till today with the same olive-growing activity the area produces this exceptional virgin olive oil.

Caring olive trees lasts all year long and includes interventions such as pruning and watering.The pruning of the olive trees is responsible for maintaining the tree health, eliminating the dry parts, ensuring a balance in their development, achieving better ventilation and offering better access of the fruit to the sun.

It is an extremely important process that begins with the fruit harvest and lasts almost until March to prepare olives for next year.

Irrigation has favorable effects on vegetation, flowering and fruiting of the olive trees.

THE HARVEST

THE HARVEST OF OLIVES FROM PRODUCERS IS DONE EITHER BY HAND OR BY GENTLE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS WHICH

ENSURE HEALTHY FRUIT AND EXCELLENT FINAL OIL. IN OUR AREA IT STARTS IN

THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER AND LASTS UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR, WHEN OTHER REGIONS BEGIN A MONTH

LATER. THIS IS DUE TO THE PARTICULAR CLIMATIC CONDITIONS THAT FAVOR THE CULTIVATION OF OLIVE TREES

AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE PRODUCTION OF ONE OF THE BEST OLIVE OILS AROUND THE WORLD.