Our olive groves are uniquely located in the ancient lands of Maronia, between the Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea
Maronia is located at the southwestern foothills of Mount Ismaros. The ancient state of Maronia extended to the edges of the mountain range and was the largest and most important of all ancient Greek colonies along the coast of Western Thrace.
The city was founded in the 7th century BC by colonists from Chios and gradually became a powerful local force. Maronia flourished especially in the 4th century BC, when it minted its own gold coins.
Maronia is mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey as a city-state of the Thracian tribe Cicones, protected by Apollo, whose priest Maron lived in the god’s sacred grove. Today, this place continues to produce the two products that made the ancient city-state famous: wine and olive oil. According to legend, Odysseus intoxicated the Cyclops Polyphemus with Maronian wine and blinded him using olive oil.
Maronia is home to some of the oldest olive groves in Greece. These centuries-old olive trees represent the historical continuity of an ancient product in a region rich in history, tradition, and aroma. These are not just ordinary trees — they are monuments of nature itself.
Both in mythology and in historical records, as well as in the distinct identity of the region’s agricultural products, there has always been something remarkable. It is no coincidence that even today, in the area where the ancient amphitheater of Maronia still stands, the dominant tree is the olive tree. How did this come to be, and how did the specific geographic and climatic conditions define it?
Even though there appears to be no direct connection to nearby regions where olive cultivation is widespread, Maronia is known for its local variety — one of the most distinctive and rarest in Northern Greece — due to the specific terroir in which it thrives.
Even though there appears to be no direct connection to nearby regions where olive cultivation is widespread, Maronia is known for its local variety — one of the most distinctive and rarest in Northern Greece — due to the specific terroir in which it thrives.
This variety has thrived since ancient times and has fully adapted to the region’s unique climate. It is noteworthy that the Maronia olive tree can withstand frost and is highly resilient to various environmental factors.
The coastal yet harsh climate, the soil, and the wide temperature fluctuations between summer and winter are the key elements that shape the unique character of its fruit. This fruit is suitable for both table consumption and olive oil production. The olives are medium-sized, spherical in shape, and dark violet in color, typically showing a 60% yellow-green and 40% violet skin tone. The fruit of the Maronia olive tree is rich in phenolic compounds such as oleocanthal, squalene, and others.
The olive oil produced from the Maronia variety stands out from all others with its perfect balance of the three essential characteristics: spiciness, bitterness, and fruitiness — a blend praised by some of the world’s most renowned critics and sommeliers!
High-quality Extra Virgin olive oil from our own groves in Greece.
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