For more than twenty years, from the Ampelokipoi district of Athens to the alpine landscapes of Mt. Chelmos, Vasilis Koutroulakis has been running a beekeeping business that depends entirely on the mountain. At the foot of Mt. Chelmos, he produces organic honey, including “vanilla” fir honey, a product that isn’t available every year. We spoke with him about the microclimate, biodiversity, and the limits of production when nature has the final say.

Why is honey produced in Chelmos different?

Vasilis Koutroulakis is the beekeeper and founder of the ΚόRYS brand. Born in Athens, he recognized the value of bees at a young age. In 2000, after completing his studies at the Technical and Vocational School of Beekeeping at the Syggrou Estate, he decided to leave Athens and move to Klitoria, Kalavrita, to fully dedicate his time to honey production. Since then, he has tended to his bee colonies every single day, producing organic honey that he packages himself.

What makes Chelmos so unique for honey production?

The foothills of Mt. Chelmos are a prime location thanks to the combination of altitude, pristine environment and rich flora. The beehives are placed at elevations reaching up to 1,000 meters, far from human interference. A large part of the area belongs to the Chelmos-Vouraikos National Park and is recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, ensuring an environment free from pollution and intensive farming. The region is home to more than 1,100 plant species, many of them native, which directly influences the honey’s qualities.