Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Every oil in this collection is single-origin Koroneiki from Laconia, milled by Sparta Gourmet, the family-owned plant founded by the Valioti family in the southern Peloponnese. Koroneiki is a small, intensely flavored olive that dominates Greek production and gives Greek extra virgin olive oil its peppery, grassy finish.

  • Producer: Sparta Gourmet, Laconia, founded by the Valioti family
  • Variety: 100% Koroneiki
  • Certified polyphenols: Premiere tested at 522 mg/kg by the World Olive Center for Health (Certificate C2526-00733, February 2026)
  • Extraction: cold-extracted at low temperature
  • Recognition: seven international olive oil competition awards, 2021 to 2026

Gourmet vs Premiere: Two Oils, Two Jobs

We carry two tiers from the same Laconian mill, and they are not interchangeable. Sparta Gourmet is the everyday cooking oil, built for sautéing, roasting and daily use. Sparta Premiere (522 mg/kg total polyphenols, certified by the World Olive Center for Health, certificate C2526-00733, February 2026) is a raw finishing oil only, drizzled over salads, dips or a plate of PDO feta, never heated. See the full Sparta Gourmet vs Premiere comparison

What the Polyphenol Number Means

Polyphenols are the compounds behind the peppery bite at the back of the throat. Their level depends on the olive variety, the harvest timing and how gently the oil is extracted. Sparta Premiere carries a published, third-party lab certificate for its polyphenol content, so you can read the number instead of taking an adjective on trust. Why Koroneiki is known for high polyphenol counts

Harvest Date, Not Just "Best By"

Olive oil degrades from the moment it is pressed. A harvest date tells you what you are actually buying; a "best by" date alone tells you almost nothing. Every Sparta Gourmet and Premiere bottle carries its harvest year on the label. New to Greek olive oil? Start with our guide to what separates extra virgin from virgin olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the polyphenol count on olive oil mean?
Polyphenol count, measured in mg/kg, is the amount of phenolic compounds in the oil. They create the peppery, throat-catching sensation of a fresh oil and vary with olive variety, harvest timing and extraction. Sparta Premiere is certified at 522 mg/kg total polyphenols by the World Olive Center for Health in Athens (Certificate C2526-00733, February 2026).
What is the difference between Sparta Gourmet and Sparta Premiere?
Both are milled by Sparta Gourmet in Laconia from single-origin Koroneiki, but they do different jobs. Sparta Gourmet is the everyday cooking oil. Sparta Premiere is an early-harvest, lab-certified high-polyphenol oil meant for raw finishing use only.
Can I cook with high-polyphenol olive oil, or should I only use it raw?
Use Sparta Premiere raw, as a finishing oil on bread, salads, grilled vegetables and soups, where its aroma and pepperiness come through. For frying, roasting and everyday cooking, use the Sparta Gourmet line.
Where is this olive oil produced and by whom?
It is produced by Sparta Gourmet, a family-owned mill in Laconia in the southern Peloponnese, founded by the Valioti family, from single-origin Koroneiki olives grown in the surrounding region.
How do I read an olive oil harvest date?
The harvest date tells you when the olives were pressed. Olive oil is best used within about 18 months of harvest. A bottle that shows only a best-by date and no harvest date gives you no way to know how old the oil is.
Do these oils carry a PDO or PGI label?
No. PDO and PGI are EU designations tied to a registered region and production specification, and the Sparta Gourmet oils do not carry either. They are single-origin Laconian Koroneiki, and each bottle carries a named mill and a harvest year. Sparta Premiere also carries a dated lab certificate for its polyphenol content.