About us

 

In the charming village of Patima, near Lake Kournas in Crete, lives Mama Pelagia Aleksakis. Her family has been living and working the land for many generations, developing a deep understanding of nature's rhythms and seasons. Mama Pelagia spends countless hours in the fields and groves, learning the secrets of local plants and their healing properties. Her skill in gathering herbs and teas, even the rarest ones, has made her famous.

Fate brought Mama Pelagia together with her husband, who comes from a long line of farmers and shepherds. Together, they shared a passion for finding the finest naturally grown treasures from their land. Deeply connected to the fertile region of Patima, within the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) of Apokoronas in Chania, Crete, they have mastered the art of sourcing the best ingredients this special area has to offer.

The beautiful valleys and sun-soaked groves surrounding Patima, nourished by the fresh waters of Lake Kournas, produce exceptional crops thanks to Mama Pelagia's lifelong bond with the land. Inspired by this natural paradise, her children created an online store to share her unique finds with the world.

A cherished tradition in their family is the making of Raki (Tsikoudia), which Mama Pelagia’s husband originally crafted for family and friends. His passion for this spirit led to partnerships with local grape farmers, and now their children continue the tradition by bottling and selling Tsikoudia and local Ouzo through the online store.

In 2007, the success of their efforts led to a new chapter: they opened a restaurant, which also serves as the physical location for their online store. What started as a family-run taverna, showcasing Mama Pelagia's beloved recipes, has grown into one of the finest in the area, offering the exceptional quality of her hand-picked products, many of which are available online.

At the heart of everything they do—from the online store to the restaurant and the food itself—is the soul of Patima Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This exceptional olive oil, a staple of every Cretan table, reflects the family's commitment to tradition, quality, and the land that sustains them. Stelios Aleksakis, the youngest son and guardian of the family’s legacy, carefully tends to the olive groves that produce Patima EVOO, ensuring that each bottle carries the family’s story, drop by drop.