Description
Description
Description
Throughout the centuries the Cretan diet, which places strong emphasis on olive oil, has been acknowledged to promote human health and add to the quality of life. The kaleidoscope of tastes which are characteristic of the Cretan diet is the combination of high quality local products with the brilliant and invigorating sun light of the island.
In the “Elies” traditional restaurant the Vardis family continues the local culinary tradition using only organic products mostly of own production, e.g. vegetables, eggs, meat and extra virgin olive oil from the family’s olive groves.
A nutritious breakfast buffet style is available every morning. The breakfast is prepared in line with the “Olive Garden” recipes of the family. Don’t miss it!!
The “Veranda” Bar next to the pool is available from early morning for light meals or refreshing cocktails.
Great traditions fundamentals are strong families. Vardis family harvested their first olive
garden in 1905 at the northwestern coast of Crete, on the administrative borders of the
prefectures of Chania & Rethymno, in the area of Georgioupolis. Not far away, lies the
Gerani Cave - an impressive site of enormous archeological value - where scientists
found the oldest signs of human distillation methods for juices from olives, dating back to
the Neolithic Period (6000 B.C.). Subsequent scientific findings in the ancient cities of
Kydonia & Eleftherna, which lie near our estate, provided the central role that olive oil
played in the Minoan civilization (2000-1450 B.C.). That included uses such as diet,
religion, health, fuel, and cleansing.
The estate covers an area of 100.000 square meters, lying at a privileged location of
natural purity & beauty. Vardis Olive Garden, provides a unique selection of organic
extra virgin olive oil, whose delicate flavors derive from the freshness of the Cretan Sea,
the pure scent of the Leuka Oroi (White Mountains), the clear running waters of Almyros
River, all just a few miles from Kournas Lake. The ideal altitude of 120m, the lime rich
ground and the mild climate, grant favorable organic cultivation conditions. In 1980, the
4th generation of Vardis family, fully replanted and reinforced the grove with Koroneiki,
the finest variety of olive trees.
Vardis Olive Garden olive oil is of superior quality, 100% natural product, hand-picked
and traditionally obtained from 2200 olive trees. The organic product continues to be
produced with special care from Vardis family, solely by mechanical means in an
environmentally friendly production process system.
The fragrant and fruity extract enhances the flavors of dishes, never overpowering them.
It is distinguished for its delicate aroma and vivid color, with acidity levels that never
exceed 0.6%. The estate’s production offers an annual family reserve ranging from 6 to
15 tons. Vardis Olive Garden olive oil is fully inspected and certified by the inspection
institute for organic products BIO Hellas, approved by the Greek Ministry of Rural
Development and Food as Inspection and Certification body for organic products (EU
code GR-BIO-03).
Vardis Olive Garden olive oil is being extracted within 24 hours of harvest and bottled at
a certified mill at low temperatures. The extract is allowed to distill naturally and stored
in high quality stainless steel tanks for 2 months, before being bottled with strict
specifications of certified quality. The newly designed tinplate bottle of the product,
displays free hand painted olive drops, combining efficiently a modern, minimal and light
approach. The transparent printing exploits the metal background and gives an additional
shine to the product.
