Awards
In the 1980s, after San Francisco dermatologist, Dr. Peter Panagotacos, M.D., had given lectures in Athens as a visiting professor; he visited his cousin Petros in their ancestral village, Dafni, in the valley of Sparta. Dr. Panagotacos was impressed with how fresh and full bodied the olive oil tasted in the village, and he decided to produce olive oil made from Koroneiki olive trees and bring it back to California.
Trees were planted and after 20 years of diligent nurturing of the trees by Petros, they were producing excellent oil. In 1999, the olive oil was imported to San Francisco for distribution to the Mollie Stone's Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area. By 2005, it was distributed to most of the Whole Foods Market stores on the West coast. Dr. Panagotacos desire to have an award-winning olive oil led him to take courses at UC Davis on olive oil production. His knowledge combined with Petros practical experience growing olives, led to an olive oil that has won several awards at the Los Angeles County Fair and at other competitions.
Olive Cultivar: Koroneiki
Flavor Profile: Grassy, fruity, peppery
Philosophy: For generations, our family has tended the Koroneiki olive groves in the village of Lykovouno. Starting in 1985, it has been our intention to produce fine quality extra virgin olive oil, solely produced on this estate, not blended with other oils. We aim for flavorful aroma, excellent organoleptic qualities, and high antioxidants.
Location: Dafni is a small town of Laconia in the municipality of Evrotas, and to the Krokees municipality before the 2011 Kallikratis reform. In the 2021 census its population was registered as 736.