It was our very first harvest day in Greece, located near Kalamata. Kostas Liris, an agronomist and a leader in is his field, was working with a family of olive oil producers and invited us to experience what a harvest looked like. The day turned out to be much more than just a harvest.
My son, Joseph and I met Kostas at our hotel and jumped into his car. On our way, we stopped at a small local shop that had meat displayed in the window. Joseph quickly followed Kostas to experience first hand whatever was about to happen. When they returned Kostas explained that he had picked up some already prepare lamb to have for lunch. Joseph had a very big smile on his face and off we went.
But first there was work to be done! We arrived at a home with fields of olive trees and we were greeted by Olivé, with a very warm welcome. Olivé is one of the two brothers who gave up a career in finance to pursue his dream for his family with simpler days amongst the olive trees. Chris, Olive’s brother wasn’t there this day. Olive took us to the back of the house where family and friends were hard at work.
When you find a producer such as this family, there is a great respect for how olives and the trees they grow on are treated. We wanted to learn and while there we wanted to help. Joseph and I quickly jumped in and started following the rest, while trying to stay out of the way. This is a critical time during the process because once the olives are removed from the trees they must arrive at the mill within a few short hours. Olives are highly perishable and will start to ferment quickly, which will then reflect in the taste of the oil.
A life now filled with the unknowns, hard work, coupled with excitement, joy and pure beauty all wrapped into a day, a month, and years of work. To be a small olive oil producer means you are putting your heart and soul into something that you love deeply. It’s anything but boring and sure to be exceptionally beautiful. A life that his children can grow up in while experiencing the gifts of cultivating a slower life, surrounded by close family and friends.
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