The 1821 Admiral’s Estate That First Bottled Greek Olive Oil

A farm on the shores of the Argosaronic Gulf has been quietly carrying Greek history for nearly two centuries. Ktima Tompazi, the estate of Admiral Manoilis Tompazis, one of the key naval figures of the 1821 Greek War of Independence, was founded in 1828 and has remained in continuous operation ever since.

The estate's historical record reads like a who's-who of modern Greek history. Ioannis Kapodistrias, Greece's first governor, personally planted two medlar trees on the grounds as a gesture of friendship. Admiral Heiden, after the landmark Battle of Navarino, gifted the estate the first mandarin trees ever cultivated in Greece. Eleftherios Venizelos and members of the royal family visited in the early 20th century.

In 1900, its olive oil became the first Greek olive oil ever bottled and awarded at a world exhibition in Paris.

The milestones don't stop at famous guests. In 1870, the estate became home to the first industrial production unit for essential oils and concentrated juices in Greece, shipping lemon products from the surrounding Troizinia and Poros region to ports in Constantinople and Trieste. Then in 1900, its olive oil became the first Greek olive oil ever bottled and awarded at a world exhibition in Paris.

Today, the estate is owned by Aristotelis Panagiotaros, the chocolatier behind "The Dark Side of Chocolate" in Kolonaki, Athens, whose handmade chocolates are sold as far as Dubai and Japan. He uses the estate's certified organic extra virgin olive oil in his recipes as a substitute for butter. The 50-acre property is a member of the global Slow Food organization and hosts the Slow Food community of Troizinia, Poros, and Methana.

Events combining organic farming, environmental education, and gastronomy take place regularly on the grounds. A recent concert held in collaboration with the Athens Lyric Stage featured sopranos Dimitra Kotidou and Eleni Voudouraki. Internationally renowned chef Filip Ondrusek is also set to visit for a series of masterclasses for professional chefs.

The old stone warehouses and the original olive press from the 1821 era still stand on the property.