Two Gaia Iluka Original bottles on beach pebbles beside a net bag of lemons

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Origin

The island
of Samos

37.7544° N  ·  26.8347° E  ·  Samos, Greece

In the eastern Aegean Sea lies the island of Samos — a place where rugged mountains meet the Mediterranean, and olive trees have taken root for centuries.

Shaped by sun, sea winds, and mineral-rich soil, the landscape offers the conditions for olives to mature slowly, deepening in character with each passing day. Warm light and coastal air bring balance, complexity, and the natural polyphenols that define exceptional extra virgin olive oil.

It is here that the story of Gaia Iluka begins.

Climate Med.
Soil type Mineral
Harvest Oct – Nov
Koumeika, Samos
Location

Koumeika,
Where Our Olives Grow

Our olives come from the village of Koumeika, in the southwest of Samos — where small groves stretch across hills that overlook the sea.

Here, olive trees have been tended by local families for generations, shaped not by scale, but by care.

Koumeika  ·  SW Samos  ·  Single-estate

Each harvest reflects this place — its light, its soil, and the quiet rhythm of the Mediterranean.

Producer

At the heart of our oil are the groves of the Markou family. Their approach is patient, deliberate, and rooted in tradition — a way of working the land that has been passed down over time, unchanged.

The Markou family groves, Koumeika, Samos
Olive harvest, Samos
Process

Harvest &
Cold Extraction

The quality of olive oil is shaped not only by the land, but by the precision of the harvest.

Olives are picked at the moment they begin to turn from green to purple — when their flavor is most defined and their antioxidant content at its peak. From there, they are taken directly to the mill and pressed within hours.

Extraction is carried out through cold mechanical pressing, at temperatures below 27°C. This slow, controlled process preserves the oil's aroma, its vitality, and the integrity of the fruit itself.

  1. 01 Hand harvest Green to purple transition
  2. 02 Same-day press Olives pressed within hours
  3. 03 Cold extraction Below 27°C / mechanical only
  4. 04 Bottled fresh No additives. No blending.

Nothing is rushed. Nothing is compromised.

Varieties

The Olive Varieties

Gaia Iluka olive oil is produced primarily from Koroneiki olives — one of Greece's most prized varieties, known for its intensity, structure, and aromatic depth.

85%

Koroneiki

Greece's most prized variety. Intense, structured, and aromatic. Yields an oil that is bright, balanced, and unmistakably alive.

  • Intense
  • Peppery
  • Aromatic
15%

Troumbouli

Native to the region. Brings softness and roundness, adding depth without diminishing clarity. Together, they create an oil that is both expressive and composed.

  • Soft
  • Round
  • Regional
Origin
Single-estate
Extraction
Cold pressed
Harvest
Early season
Classification
Extra Virgin
Traceability

From Grove
to Bottle

Unlike many olive oils on the market, Gaia Iluka is entirely single-origin and single-estate.

Every bottle comes from the same groves on Samos, and from the same family who cultivates them. This continuity ensures full transparency and traceability — from the tree where the olive grew to the bottle on your table.

The result is an oil that reflects its origin with clarity and precision.

  1. Samos, Greece
  2. Markou family groves
  3. Single harvest
  4. Your table
Tasting notes

A Taste of
the Mediterranean

Gaia Iluka olive oil carries the character of the island where it was born.

Bright, aromatic, and balanced, it reflects the Mediterranean landscape — the warmth of the sun, the movement of the sea air, and the depth of a tradition shaped over centuries.

From the hills of Samos to your kitchen, it is the taste of where it all begins.

Fruitiness
Bright
Bitterness
Medium
Pungency
Distinct

"Great olive oil begins with a place — its soil, its climate, and the people who care for the trees."

Samos · Single-origin · Cold extracted · Gaia Iluka
Naos Lullaby Dawn · Gentle