Following the announcement of the 2020 #SAOliveAwards & #AbsaTop10 Olive Oils Awards in South Africa, we are presenting a series of interviews with each Gold winning producer.
Name of the oil: Lapithos Family Blend
Style: Medium
Cultivars used for this oil: Frantoio, Mission and Coratina
Litres produced: 5,000 lt
Producer history: Lapithos Olive Growers lies in the beautiful Breede River Valley in the Scherpenheuwel District near Worcester, South Africa. It is co-owned by lifelong friends Alexis Kearney and Mark Kapnoudhis and was named after a little village in Northern Cyprus, which was the birthplace of Andreas Kapnoudhis, Mark’s father. Mark and Alexis bought the land in 1998, at which time it was an Ostrich farm with no drinkable water supply or electricity, and barely any access by road. The family has since grown the farm to have all the necessary infrastructure to support the production of premium extra virgin olive oil, while maintaining the special feeling of remoteness up in the mountains.
Today the farm comprises of 10 000 olive trees which were painstakingly planted over the years by visiting friends and family in exchange for good food, exceptional wine and a memorable time. Producing its first Extra Virgin Olive Oil in 2016, Lapithos has since become renowned for its unpretentious, personally blended, boutique olive oils which are award-winning. With limited quantities made available to the public each year, every litre of olive oil is pressed with the utmost care and precision to ensure that its taste reflects the love put into it. Lapithos is fuelled by family and inspired to share.
Short introduction to the oil maker & his/her comment on the 2020 harvest: Maker: Alexis Kearney – Mechanical Engineer and businessman with a passion for ‘making things work’, 4x4s, property development and architecture.
Blender: Mike-Alec Kearney (Son of Alexis) – Electronic Engineer and businessman with a passion for exploration, space, photography and cats.
Tasting notes: Green apple, walnut and pine seed.
Best paired with which food: Fresh salads, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, baked vegetables, fatty fish and seafood, red and white meat.
Where to buy: From our online store: https://lapithosolives.co.za/
Contact Details:
E-mail: lapithos.olives@gmail.com
Telephone Number: 083 310 6467
Facebook: Lapithos Olive Growers
For more SA Olive Awards winners click here.
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