A Traditional Crete Farm
Set against the beautiful and inspirational backdrop of the Lefka Ori Mountains this land has supported Cretan people for generations. The Kokotsakis farm raises biological, authentic Crete sheep and does not use antibiotics or special grains to fatten them up. Instead, the sheep are grazed naturally and carefully managed to prevent overgrazing. Many guests have commented on the delicious and tender nature of the meat which is served at Akrimios. In the Spring, sheep milk is churned into fantastic cheese, both soft and hard.
During the spring and summer months a large, biological vegetable garden is abundant enough to serve the family as well as the guests at Akrimios. Orange, mandarin and lemon trees round out the garden. A plethora of herbs and mushrooms are gathered on the farm or locally and used in delicious Cretan recipes.
In Fall beautiful grapes are harvested and turned into the Golden Wine of the Gods. Biological and delicious, this wine is nothing like you have ever tasted. You will never experience a hangover or headaches from preservatives. It is exceptional. Winter sees the olives ripening on the trees and ready for harvesting. It takes about two months of steady work from Petros, his two sons and various helpers to drop, clean and collect the olives. Sent away for production, the olives are turned into delicious, biological and healthy olive oil. This is the oil used by the family at home as well as the Akrimios restaurant.
In Fall beautiful grapes are harvested and turned into the Golden Wine of the Gods. Biological and delicious, this wine is nothing like you have ever tasted. You will never experience a hangover or headaches from preservatives. It is exceptional. Winter sees the olives ripening on the trees and ready for harvesting. It takes about two months of steady work from Petros, his two sons and various helpers to drop, clean and collect the olives. Sent away for production, the olives are turned into delicious, biological and healthy olive oil. This is the oil used by the family at home as well as the Akrimios restaurant.
Petros Kokotsakis and her wife Ingrid Margarita are supervising the cooking to make sure visitors get an unforgettable experience while enjoying the food Orizon Center and Akrimios Restaurant has to offer. They are the beating heart of the kitchen to take care of fresh produce from the farm coming in just right on time, ingredients being cooked the way they needed to be cooked traditionally and finally, abundant plates are served with love, smile and true desire of sharing with their beloved guests.
Our large, biological vegetable garden providing vegetables, fruits, greens and herbs is abundant enough to serve the family as well as the guests at Orizon Center and Akrimios Café & Restaurant. Orange, mandarin and lemon trees round out the farm to give the juice of our dishes and our life. Tasty mushrooms are gathered on the farm or locally and used in delicious Cretan recipes and wild mushrooms grilled on the stove is undoubtedly an all-time favourite delicacy for all.
Being faithful to the Cretan dietary traditions Ingrid Margarita has also a reputation for her exceptional vegetarian soups that is a manifestation of her love for spices combined with her Austrian heritage brought in to the Cretan family. She likes to combine chick peas and ginger, and has her own syrup recipe to make the most incredible honey-like grape balsam cooked for long hours out of wine juice.
Depending on the weather, each year from November to January Petros Kokotsakis, his two sons and various helpers are working hard to drop, clean and collect the olives that are turned into delicious, biological and healthy olive oil and used all over the year. Exceptional high quality olive oil as well as their hand crafted organic wine are the golden liquids of the family and naturally offered to visitors during the meals.
During our programs and seminars, you will have a chance to eat with us and have a taste of the most healthy Cretan diet that is based on our biological family farm. The Kokotsakis farm raises biological, authentic Crete sheep and Petros is using the sheep milk to churn fantastic cheese, both the fresh and soft local white cheese called mizithra and aged hard yellow cheese graviera. There is no table laid without cheese, olives and olive oil.
Being faithful to the Cretan dietary traditions Ingrid Margarita has also a reputation for her exceptional vegetarian soups that is a manifestation of her love for spices combined with her Austrian heritage brought in to the Cretan family. She likes to combine chick peas and ginger, and has her own syrup recipe to make the most incredible honey-like grape balsam cooked for long hours out of wine juice.
Depending on the weather, each year from November to January Petros Kokotsakis, his two sons and various helpers are working hard to drop, clean and collect the olives that are turned into delicious, biological and healthy olive oil and used all over the year. Exceptional high quality olive oil as well as their hand crafted organic wine are the golden liquids of the family and naturally offered to visitors during the meals.
During our programs and seminars, you will have a chance to eat with us and have a taste of the most healthy Cretan diet that is based on our biological family farm. The Kokotsakis farm raises biological, authentic Crete sheep and Petros is using the sheep milk to churn fantastic cheese, both the fresh and soft local white cheese called mizithra and aged hard yellow cheese graviera. There is no table laid without cheese, olives and olive oil.
Petros Kokotsakis - A farmer, cheese-maker, musician and a true community leader
Petros Kokotsakis was born on the land that has been in his family for generations. He grew up learning the Cretan way and although Petros has adhered to traditional methods he has an open mind and has continued to make improvements. His Austrian wife, Ingrid Margarita and their four children have a deep love and appreciation for the land as well.
Today, he not only manages the farm and Akrimios but is also very involved in the local community. As Mayor for over 10 years he brought electricity and indoor plumbing to the local villages. He continues to be a consultant and advisor to politicians in Chania. Petros instills a deep respect for Crete in everything that he does. He is a proud Cretan who has worked hard to create a legacy for his children and future generations.
Today, he not only manages the farm and Akrimios but is also very involved in the local community. As Mayor for over 10 years he brought electricity and indoor plumbing to the local villages. He continues to be a consultant and advisor to politicians in Chania. Petros instills a deep respect for Crete in everything that he does. He is a proud Cretan who has worked hard to create a legacy for his children and future generations.
For many years
Petros was a talented
and renown musician who
played around Crete,
reminiscent of Zorba the Greek.
Petros was a talented
and renown musician who
played around Crete,
reminiscent of Zorba the Greek.