Sotirelis Oil Factory: A Family Legacy in Thasos, Greece

The Sotirelis Oil Factory, located in the heart of the picturesque island of Thasos, has been a pillar of tradition, family values, and excellence in olive oil production for decades. This family-run business which dates back to 1915, not only produces some of Greece’s finest olive oils but also preserves the region’s rich olive oil production legacy.

A story to tell

The Sotirelis family has been involved in the olive oil industry for more than a century. They meticulously extracted olive oil using a traditional water-powered mill.Visitors of the Sotirelis Oil Factory can still observe the ancient mill in action. This offers a fascinating peek into how olive oil was once manufactured.

When driving up the winding roadways to Panagia on Thassos, olive groves greet you like old acquaintances. The Sotirelis Olive Oil Mill & Museum is located somewhere in that silver-green sea of pine trees and appears to slow time down. Right there you can purchase a wide range of Sotirelis products and see the Olive Center Thasos Store.

Entering their location, you don’t just walk past old tools — you hear creaking belts, see the old stone mills turning, smell the ghost of olives crushed by waterpower. It’s one of the last functional water-driven olive presses in Greece. And it is impressive.

Products that amaze

Here’s what Sotirelis offers beyond their signature extra virgin gold:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (cold-extracted, unfiltered): from mixed (green, purple, black) olives, mild and fruity.
Early Harvest EVOO: made from green olives in October–November, strong aroma, low acidity, high in antioxidants.
Soaps (solid and liquid), purely natural, no synthetic foaming agents.
Beeswax cream (for skin, therapeutic, even safe for babies) and face/eye creams
Hair oil, body oil, balsam oils (for body, hair care)
Traditional Greek products: honey, spoon sweets, regional wines, ouzo, tsipouro — all sold alongside their olive and cosmetic line.
In the olive shop you’ll also find olives (table olives), and souvenirs made from olive wood or olive-stone (kitchen utensils, beads, decorative items).

Bracelets with gems as a gift

One of the products that stand out are the bracelets made out of olive stones with natural gems such as Amethyst, Jade ore Tiger Eye. They are a perfect gift for the loved ones but also for yourself. Amtehyst which has a deep violet color stands for the Pieces sign. Amethyst is often called the stone of peace or sobriety. It’s believed to calm the mind, reduce stress, and bring clarity of thought. It is is also seen as a magnet for prosperity. Many believe it attracts not only inner peace but also abundance, supporting well-being in both emotional and material aspects of life.

Lava stone carries deep symbolic meaning, tied to its raw origin — born from fire, pressure, and transformation. It makes it a perfect gift for your life partner.