In 1850 John N. Petrou purchased several parcels of olive tree orchards around his farm home, Hamoutsa, in Molaoi Lakonia Greece. He began cultivating and pressing extra virgin olive oil by hand. This oil was never sold and was only used for his family and friends personal consumption. The land and processes were handed down from generation to generation until the end of World War II in 1945.

Prior to WWII, Michael N. Petrou, John’s grandson, was an agriculturalist who specialized in livestock, wine and olive oil. He was also a cantor at the Greek Orthodox Churches in Molaoi. People said his voice would resonate through the villages of Lakonia. During the Nazi occupation, he was removed from his home and was forced to close his business. Although he’d lost so much, he never stopped chanting. At the end of the Nazi occupation in Greece, Michael opened a new grocery store in the town center, Agora in Molaoi. Pantopoleou Michael N. Petrou. The star attraction was his Mourtolia Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which he still processed in the same manner as his Grandfather. Greeks would come from all over the country to purchase this extremely rare and pure product. There was something special about it. The color and flavor were rich. It’s cooking properties were unique when compared to the common Koroneiki variety. The chemical testing we have today didn’t exist then, but the people of Lakonia were healthier and were living longer lives than in other parts of Greece and their particular extra virgin olive oil was believed to be the cause.

In the 1960’s Michael sent all of his children to America and Canada in the hopes of creating better lives for them and affording them more opportunities. Michael ran his grocery store through to the 1980’s until his death. The olive oil industry in Molaoi continued to grow and once again our family’s EVOO was held back solely for the use of friends and family.

In 2003 a new co-op was created in Moloai, one of the largest in the country to produce this amazing olive oil. Due to this co-op, the farmers now had easier access to modern, zero foot-print processing and bottling of their miracle product, without losing any of it’s amazing flavor and health benefits.

Katina Paraskevi Petrou, John’s Great Great Granddaughter grew up enjoying the families olive oil. She often wondered why no other oil in the world tasted and cooked like theirs. Great olive oil comes from all over the world, but the EVOO from her generational farm was different. The difference is the Mourtolia olive. This olive is famous for its high phenolic and antioxidant properties, beautiful golden green color, smooth buttery flavor and intense aromatics. Mourtolia extra virgin olive oil doesn’t break down at higher temperatures which is commonplace with other EVOO’s. Durring the fall of 2019, Katina decided that is was time to share this miracle with the world. Preparations began and she imported and bottled her families EVOO in Nashville, Tennessee. When the pandemic struck in February of 2020 the world halted and so did Katina’s plans. She needed to physically be in Molaoli to procure the olive oil as it is still a very hands-on, manual process. She needed to prepare it for import and ensure it was shipped properly. So while she waited on the world to open back up, she built her business plan, refined her packaging and determined the best methods to showcase her product to the world. As she was home in isolation, she made meals with her olive oil, honey and spices and felt comforted that though her family was far away they were with her through these products. Finally, in 2021, as travel restrictions began to lift, ELIA was born.

ELIA is the Greek world for olive. But ELIA is more than just an olive or an olive oil. In Greece, ELIA or olives are not just a product, they are a force that bring families together. During Easter church services people are anointed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. During baptisms EVOO is rubbed all over the children so they remain slippery from evil. It is something engrained in our spirits and stays with us through our lives. ELIA is more than olive oil or honey or spices. ELIA is the hope of your family being brought together, through good times and bad. And we are excited to share the miracle of ELIA with you.

From our family to yours.