A Deep Dive into Corfu’s Olive Oil Heritage with The Governor Olive Oil

For over 100 years, the Dafnis Family has been producing exquisite olive oil on the island of Corfu, carefully tending to the centenarian “lianolia” variety. Our olive oil is crafted at our family’s mill in the historical village of Aghios Mathaios, using gentle, low-temperature methods.

Inspired by the strong character of Count Ioannis Capodistrias, the first governor of independent Greece, the youngest generation of our family, Spyros and George, have revolutionized the island’s olive oil production. This is how The Governor was born—the first single variety olive oil from the ancient “lianolia” of Corfu.

The Governor Olive Oil is renowned globally for its participation in scientific research. Daily consumption of our olive oil enhances well-being and lowers the risk of serious health concerns. By choosing our premium olive oil, you support sustainable agriculture, the environment, and a family farm with generations of tradition.

Olive Mill Tour and Olive Oil Tasting

• Extended Grove Tour: Spend extended time in the centenarian lianolia olive groves learning about the lifecycle, cultivation, and harvesting of Corfu’s most precious olive variety
• Complete Production Journey: Trace the complete journey of The Governor olive oil from ancient tree to bottle — understanding every step of production that creates this extraordinary Corfiot oil
• Deep Tasting Experience: Participate in a comprehensive olive oil tasting seminar comparing different expressions of lianolia oil across vintages and production methods

We use “beyond organic” methods to cultivate our olive trees, many of which are around 500 years old. Our innovative milling process combines age-old knowledge with modern techniques, ensuring that our oil is of superior quality, preserving precious natural phenols.

The lianolia olive trees, first brought to Corfu by the ancient Corinthians around 730 BC, now exist exclusively on the island. These trees, belonging to the wild category of oleo craneomorpha, produce olives biennially and can expand up to 14 meters wide. The Venetians once planted these trees to fortify the island against pirate invasions, creating the only olive tree rainforest in the world. Explore more Ionian Islands experiences through Gastronomy Tours.