Meligyris, Arkalohori, Crete

Beekeeping has been a tradition in Manolis Stefanakis’s family since 1920. Continuing in his family’s footsteps, Manolis established his first apiary, Meligyris, in Crete, where he produces rare types of honey from the wild Cretan herbs. Manolis’ scientific background, as a graduate from the Agricultural University of Athens, as well as his long-time involvement in the family business, led him to associate the microclimate in different geographical areas (according to altitude, relative humidity, and soil composition) with the flavour and biochemical characteristics of the produced honey. As Greek flora is vast and diverse, so is the honey it produces. Meligyris has perfected beekeeping using generations of knowledge, tradition, and scientific research to produce top quality Cretan honey, reflecting the flora of each microclimate, area and season.