Greetings, fellow olive oil enthusiasts! I am Jaime Dieppa, also known as the “Olive Explorer” – or as my German friends call me, Olivenentdecker. My passion for olive oil has taken me across the Mediterranean, and today, I want to share a very special chapter of my journey – one that led me to Crete, where I encountered something extraordinary.

It all started in Spain, the capital of olive oil in the world. My fascination with this golden liquid began there, and it has grown ever since. I explored the olive oil-rich regions of Andalusia and Seville, where I first fell in love with what I now affectionately call “the wonderful juice.” Little did I know, however, that my annual windsurfing trips to Crete were about to take on a whole new meaning.

For years, I visited Crete without realizing I was in one of the olive oil champions of the world. But everything changed that special year, when my love for olive oil met Crete’s endless groves of olive trees. The valleys were full of trees stretching as far as the eye could see, and the air was thick with the scent of fresh olives. Not only did I marvel at these magnificent olive trees, but I also had the privilege of tasting some of the most spectacular olive oil of my journey. It was as if everything finally made sense – I was exactly where I needed to be.

On that trip, I met Maria from Aerakis, a family business with deep roots in the Cretan olive oil tradition. The journey for their olive oil began in 1967 when Maria’s father fell in love with the craft. In 1978, he took the next step and started his own olive oil production, laying the foundation for what would become one of the finest olive oil producers in Crete.

It felt like fate. Maria Aerakis and her family have dedicated their lives to creating exceptional olive oil, while I have a passion for sharing the stories behind this ancient craft. We quickly realized that by joining forces, we could create something even more powerful – a way to bring the finest Cretan olive oil to the world.

And thus, a partnership was born. Maria and her family continue their tradition of olive oil production, and I, as the Olive Explorer, share their incredible story with the world. Today, we are proud to present our website, Aerakis.eu, where you can learn more about the rich heritage of our olive oil and, of course, enjoy it yourself.

This is only the beginning of our journey together, and we invite you to join us. Explore the site, taste the oil, and discover the magic of Crete’s olive groves – just as I did.

Here’s to the love of olive oil and the adventures that await!