Savouidakis SA, Agia Varvara, Crete, Greece

Savouidakis SA is a family-owned olive oil producer based in Agia Varvara, a mountain village at the heart of Crete, set between the sites of the ancient palaces of Knossos and Phaistos.

Founded in 2012 by Ioannis Savouidakis, the business now supplies customers across Europe, North America, and beyond, with a wide range of olive oils, from extra virgin and organic to Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and infused varieties.

The olive groves supplying Savouidakis SA are spread across the Ano Akria area of the Heraklion Regional Unit, on the northeastern slopes of Psiloritis, the highest mountain in Crete at around 1,900 feet (580 meters) above sea level. The groves are planted primarily with Koroneiki olives, a celebrated Greek variety prized for its exceptional oil yield and distinctive aroma, with many trees well over 30 years old.

Across the groves, soils are minimally disturbed to preserve their structure and the microbial life within them, with occasional shallow cultivations carried out in early spring to manage problematic weeds. Natural soil fertility is maintained through annual applications of sheep manure compost and composted olive pomace, returned to the land at a rate of 1,800–3,600 lbs per acre (2,000–4,000 kg per hectare), helping to build organic matter in the soil. Where irrigation is needed during the dry summer months, targeted drip systems draw from local wells to limit water waste.

Pest management avoids routine broad-spectrum pesticides. The main pest threat is the olive fruit fly, which is monitored using pheromone traps and sticky panels, with intervention limited to low-toxicity options only when necessary. Olive trees are pruned every year in late winter and early spring to encourage airflow and light penetration, reducing the need for fungicides. Where the risk of fungal disease rises too high, copper-based treatments are applied sparingly and only where needed.

The olives groves themselves support a rich variety of wildlife, including numerous bees, butterflies, song thrushes, hares, and hedgehogs, alongside wild thyme, oregano, rosemary, wild chicory, and spiny broom. Surrounding natural areas are left alone to provide habitat for wildlife.

Savouidakis SA is already looking to the next phase of improvement. Cover crops, including legumes and native grasses, are being introduced between olive rows to fix nitrogen, reduce erosion and retain moisture, and activate soil biology. Native flowering hedgerows and aromatic herb plantings are planned to support pollinators and beneficial pest-predator insects. Soil moisture sensors are being trialled to guide smarter irrigation and rainwater harvesting infrastructure is being planned, with a target of reducing water consumption by 20%.

For Savouidakis SA, Certified Regenerative by AGW is a formal recognition of a philosophy the business has held since its founding: that protecting the ecosystem of Crete is inseparable from the quality of the oils it produces. As Dimitris Karanikolas, Chief Operating Officer, says,

“As a family company deeply rooted in Crete, Certified Regenerative by AGW is not just a label, but a reflection of our long-term philosophy of producing high-quality olive oil while respecting the land, the environment, and future generations.”

For customers in Greece and internationally, the Certified Regenerative by AGW mark provides independent assurance that Savouidakis SA is managing its groves in a way that delivers healthier soils, greater biodiversity, cleaner air and water, and better outcomes for workers and the surrounding environment.

Certified Regenerative by AGW olive oils from Savouidakis SA are available through selected retail and hospitality partners in Greece and internationally.

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