News from the Grove: A Promising Greek Olive Oil Harvest Begins in Lakonia

A New Season Begins in the Laconiko Olive Groves

While this harvest we achieved some stellar results, such as our Olio Nuovo EVOO being awarded Best of Greece and receiving Healthiest Olive Oil honors for our ZOI EVOO, overall it was a very difficult harvest season where we had to overcome many weather hindrances. We are incredibly grateful to share encouraging news from our olive groves in Lakonia, Greece for the new 2026/2027 harvest though.

Our olive trees have blossomed beautifully this spring, and the new crop is already showing very promising signs. Both our Koroneiki olive trees and Kalamon/Kalamata olive trees are developing very nicely, and at this early stage, we are hopeful for a healthy and balanced olive harvest ahead.

This year, nature gave our trees something they desperately needed,  steady winter water.

After a challenging harvest year, the winter rains helped restore strength to the trees and prepared them for the growing season. That moisture allowed the trees to recover, bloom well, and begin supporting strong olive fruit development.

As many of you know, high quality extra virgin olive oil begins long before the olives reach the mill. It begins in the soil, in the blossoms, in the pruning, in the water, and in the small decisions made throughout the entire year.

Why Olive Tree Flowering Matters

Spring is one of the most important and delicate stages in the olive grove. Olive trees may produce thousands of small flowers, but only a very small percentage of those flowers will successfully become olive fruit.

Did you know that only about 1% to 10% of olive flowers actually set into olives?

That means the margin for error is incredibly thin.

During the flowering stage, olive trees are highly sensitive. Heavy rain can wash away pollen. Sudden Mediterranean heat spikes can dry out the flowers. Strong coastal winds can damage the blooms before the olives even begin to grow.

This is why we monitor our trees so carefully during spring. Every blossom carries the possibility of the next harvest, but nothing is guaranteed.

We are very happy to share that our groves passed through the heavy rain period successfully, and the trees were able to pollinate beautifully. The blossoms developed well, the fruit set is looking strong, and both our Koroneiki and Kalamon/Kalamata olives are now developing very nicely.

Pollination in the Mediterranean Olive Grove

While many olive trees can be self-fertile, pollination is often improved by the natural movement of pollen through wind and bees.

In our groves, the Mediterranean ocean breeze plays an important role in helping carry pollen from tree to tree. Bees and other natural pollinators also support the health of the grove.

Cross-pollination can help increase fruit set, especially when compatible olive varieties are growing nearby. Koroneiki trees, while partially self-fertile, often perform best when planted near compatible pollinators, including other Koroneiki trees.

This is one of the many reasons we view our family groves as a living ecosystem, not simply rows of olive trees.

Caring for Sandy Soil in Lakonia

Our olive groves are planted in sandy soil near the coast of the southern Peloponnese. This sandy soil is part of the unique character of our family’s land in Lakonia, but it also requires careful attention.

A typical practice to improve our poor soil conditions is to apply manure to help build organic matter, strengthen the ground, and support a healthier, more balanced ecosystem around the trees.

After every olive harvest, nutrients are removed from the land through the fruit. For us, it is very important to replenish the soil and help restore what was taken.

Nothing is wasted in the Laconiko olive groves.

When we prune our trees, the branches are mulched back into the soil. This helps return organic material to the grove, supports soil life, and slowly gives back nutrients that help strengthen the next growing cycle.

For our family, this is part of respecting the land. What comes from the grove should, whenever possible, return to the grove.

Ground Cover Helps Protect the Olive Trees

Over the past 6 to 8 years, water has often been very scarce in our region. Because of this, we have adjusted our farming practices to help protect the soil and reduce water loss through evaporation.

One of the most important improvements has been establishing a strong natural ground cover throughout the olive grove.

It is amazing to walk through olive groves planted by the beach of the southern Peloponnese and see healthy ground cover growing beneath the trees, even as we prepare for the hot summer months ahead.

This ground cover helps preserve moisture, protect the sandy soil, and support continued olive fruit development during the long dry season when rain is limited.

In a Mediterranean climate, this matters tremendously. The work we do in winter and spring helps prepare the trees to endure the dry, hot summer ahead.

Light Pruning for a Balanced Olive Harvest

During spring, it is also important to carefully monitor and prune the olive trees. Our approach is very intentional.

We lightly prune our trees every year, typically around 10% annually, rather than pruning heavily. We do not believe in over-pruning because it can shock the tree, reduce its energy, negatively impact fruit development, and create an imbalance in the following harvest.

By pruning lightly and consistently, we help the trees breathe, allow sunlight and airflow where needed, and maintain a natural balance between growth and fruit production.

This yearly rhythm allows us to support a more balanced olive harvest season after season.

Proper pruning also helps maintain tree health. Several pathogens and diseases can severely impact olive crop yields and olive oil quality, so proper care, maintenance, and prevention are essential. When needed, infected or unhealthy branches are removed to protect the rest of the tree and reduce the risk of disease spreading.

Olive trees are incredibly resilient. Even when damaged by extreme weather, fire, or freezing conditions, their strong root systems can often send up new shoots and regenerate. That strength is one of the reasons olive trees have been respected for thousands of years.

Still, resilience does not mean neglect. A healthy harvest requires attention, experience, and constant care.

Preparing for the Hot Mediterranean Summer

As we move into the beginning of summer, our primary focus is observation, monitoring, and making sure the trees receive enough water whenever available.

Proper water management during the summer months is essential. It helps maximize crop yields, maintain fruit size, prevent irreversible tree stress, and support oil accumulation inside the olives.

Without enough moisture during intense heat, olive trees can experience severe water stress. This can lead to shriveled fruit, reduced oil content, and lower overall quality.

This is why our winter and spring work matters so much. The manure, soil care, mulched branches, ground cover, light pruning, and winter rain all help prepare the olive grove to endure the dry Mediterranean summer.

Our trees are now entering the months that will shape the quality and character of the next Laconiko extra virgin olive oil harvest.

Koroneiki and Kalamata Olives Are Developing Beautifully

After months of caring for the delicate blooms, supporting pollination, protecting the soil, and preparing the trees for the heat ahead, we are grateful for what we are seeing.

The blossoms were strong. The fruit set looks promising. The Kalamon/Kalamata olives and Koroneiki olives are developing beautifully. The trees look healthy, balanced, and prepared for the summer months ahead.

Of course, farming always requires humility. There are still many weeks ahead, and we know that weather, heat, wind, and water availability will all continue to play an important role.

But today, as we walk through the groves, we feel hopeful.

After a tough last harvest, seeing the trees respond with this kind of strength is deeply meaningful to our family.

Looking Ahead to the Laconiko Early Harvest

Our early harvest season for Laconiko typically begins between September and December, depending on the variety, fruit development, weather conditions, and the quality goals for each olive oil.

Until then, we will continue watching, caring, adjusting, and doing everything we can to protect the fruit that will become the next bottles of Laconiko Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Laconiko Olio Nuovo, and Laconiko ZOI Ultra High Phenolic EVOO.

Every bottle begins here!! With the land, the trees, the soil, the blossoms, the water, the weather, and the hands of our family.

We look forward to sharing more updates from the grove as the season continues, and we are hopeful for a beautiful and healthy harvest ahead.

With gratitude,
Dino and Diamantis