The Governor & The Olive House: 100 Years Tradition, 3 Years Global Innovation

Our journey began generations ago, deeply rooted in the history of Agios Mattheos, a historic village in Corfu. For more than a century, the Dafni family has dedicated itself to producing exceptional olive oil with passion and respect, lovingly caring for the island’s ancient native variety, ‘Lianolia’.

The true turning point came when the younger generation of the Dafni family, Spyros and Giorgos, united their father’s generations of experience and tradition with a new vision for the future. Determined to revolutionise their approach to production, and inspired by the vision and strength of Count Ioannis Capodistrias, the first Governor of independent Greece, they created their own olive cultivation.

From this vision, ‘The Governor’ was born: the world’s first monovarietal olive oil from Corfu’s ancient Lianolia olive variety. Combining low-temperature extraction with the most delicate methods in their family-owned olive mill, the Dafni family accomplished what was once thought impossible — creating the first olive oil in the world to carry an official health claim: an award-winning extra virgin olive oil renowned for its exceptionally high concentration of phenols.

3 Years of The Olive House Corfu

If ‘The Governor’ was the revolution that transformed the olive oil itself, The Olive House Corfu became the ultimate expression of that vision.

Today, we celebrate three years since we opened the doors of Corfu’s first Olive Oil Bar — a unique destination that stands among the pioneering Olive Oil Bars in Greece and across the world.

At The Olive House, we do not simply follow developments — we help shape the future. We do not compromise; we innovate. We are constantly creating ideas that leave a lasting mark and open new horizons. In just three years, we have transformed the heart of the Corfiot countryside — a protected Natura 2000 landscape home to ancient olive trees of rare and authentic beauty — into a global destination for gastronomy and travel.

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who worked, believed, and contributed to helping the Dafni family — father and sons — turn another great vision into reality.

We continue our journey with passion and determination… because the greatest achievements and the most exciting chapters are still ahead.

SPYROS & GIORGOS DAFNIS