The Hill We Cleared, The Trees We Planted

🎧 Listen to this story:

Roots, rocks, and the memories that shaped Yiotis Olive Farm

If you’ve been following our story, you already know that Yiotis Olive Farm is more than just rows of olive trees. It’s a patchwork of memories, hard work, and love—woven through every path and hillside. Today, I want to share a chapter that means a lot to me.

It started with a hill.

Overgrown with wild plants, stones, and old roots, it wasn’t exactly welcoming. But my grandfather and I saw something more. We had a permit to clear the land, and our goal was to plant over 200 new olive trees—Kalamata olives this time. Unlike most of our trees, which produce olives for oil, these trees would grow the big, juicy Kalamata variety, perfect for the table.

We used hoes, saws, and our bare hands—cutting through roots, pulling stones, shaping the soil. I remember how proud he was watching me work. "You're getting strong," he said. And I believed him. Because on that hill, with every swing of the hoe, I wasn’t just planting trees—I was growing into myself.

At the top, we found something unexpected: three large Pournari trees (that’s the Greek name for a type of wild holly bush, usually no more than 4 feet tall). But these were giants—tall, thick, and shading the hilltop like an old secret. We decided to keep them. They’ve stood there ever since, offering shelter from the burning summer sun of Maratholaka.

Speaking of which—today’s Greek word is Maratholaka, the name of our land. It comes from maratho, meaning fennel. You’ll find wild fennel growing in the streams that run through our farm. Just another small miracle of this place we call home.

Closing Invitation:

As we move forward with our blog, I’ll keep sharing these stories—and everything I learn, even if I need to call our agronomist for the facts! That’s how my grandfather did it: with work, with care, and by always listening to the people who know. And soon, I’ll be inviting you to walk these paths with me. To see the Pournari trees. To taste the olives. To feel the history under your feet.

Stay tuned, a new kind of Greek experience is on its way. Join the list to be the first to know.”