In Pursuit of My Inner Voice: From Engineering to the Olive Groves
I have always trusted my intuition when making life's most important decisions. After graduating from Istanbul Technical University as a metallurgical engineer and spending four years in the steel industry, I reached a turning point. Following my marriage and the birth of my two daughters, I never stopped asking myself where life was leading me.
Throughout my executive career at Turk Telecom, I often asked what kind of life - both professionally and personally - would bring me true happiness. Health has always been one of my core values. While I am not a doctor, I felt a deep calling to contribute to people's well-being in a meaningful way.That calling led me to the olive tree. After extensive research, I chose to begin this journey in our own groves at the oxygen-rich foothills of Mount Ida (Kaz Mountains), producing the pure olive oil I had always envisioned.
Our Source: Mount Ida
Expertise Rooted in Education: The Science of the Immortal Tree
Producing perfect, fresh olive oil requires a blend of expertise, formal education, precision, and passion. Nermin Hanım’s dedication to excellence has been the North Star of this meticulous production process.
As I uncovered the sacred nature and health benefits of the olive tree—historically known as the 'Immortal Tree'—my curiosity evolved into a lifelong mission. I officially joined the Farmer Registration System and completed intensive training in olive oil production and sensory analysis at Balıkesir University’s Edremit School. These studies allowed me to inspect world-class facilities throughout the Edremit, Burhaniye, and Ayvalık regions. I shared every piece of knowledge with my team in the groves, ensuring we were all aligned in our pursuit of quality. Finally, the time had come to put our expertise into practice. The excitement within our team was beyond words.
From 800 Trees to a Global Legacy: Our Growth on Mount Ida
Our journey began in 2012 in the village of Altınoluk-Avcılar with 800 trees on 52 decares of land. Today, we proudly produce from over 50,000 century-old olive trees spanning 3,500 decares. Our olive farms are nestled on the slopes of the North Aegean’s most storied villages, including Güre, Çamlıbel, and Ayvalık-Murateli. To ensure the highest quality, we specifically chose the foothills of Mount Ida (Kazdağı)—a region characterized by gentle slopes, constant summer breezes, and sea-facing vistas rich in oxygen.
Mount Ida is globally recognized as one of the top three regions for premium olive oil, alongside Tuscany in Italy and Crete in Greece. The low-acidity oils from this region possess a unique, fragrant aroma found nowhere else. Through our first corporate brand, Ovilo, and later Nermin Hanım Zeytinliği, we have earned numerous national and international awards. This global recognition continues to fuel our passion for excellence.
While olive oil works miracles across every aspect of culinary and natural life, we’ve made it easier than ever to bring those miracles into your home. With nerminoliveoil.com, you can now enjoy the convenience of online shopping and have our premium olive oils delivered directly to your doorstep.
Full Control from Olive Farm to Table: Our Boutique Vision
Driven by the goal of overseeing every stage of production from the grove to the final consumer, we established our boutique olive oil factory in 2019. Alongside our mill, we launched our Factory Outlet and Restaurant, providing a dedicated space where guests can taste and experience our products at their source. We are passionately committed to the journey of our gourmet selections—led by our signature olive oil—as they travel from our land to your table. Our vision has always been to inspire tables where health and happiness flourish, and every meal is a true celebration.
Our Core Values
TRANSPARENCY
Transparency: Our Core Value
We have nothing to hide. Conducting honest trade with total transparency is our most vital value. We avoid over-processing and have no hidden production methods to conceal. We simply extract our olive oil in its most natural form, straight from the fruit. We never resort to hot water or enzymes just to increase yield. Our business philosophy is as pure and honest as our olive oil.
QUALITY
Quality: Our Unwavering Promise
Our commitment to producing and delivering the finest olive oil is a promise we keep to those who seek and appreciate excellence. This pledge is for everyone striving for a better lifestyle and seeking the best for their well-being. We believe that access to high-quality olive oil is not a privilege, but a right for everyone.
TRADITION
Tradition: A Millennial Heritage
In this region, where olive oil has been produced for millennia, the olive represents far more than a harvest—it is a heritage, a tradition, and a culture. Cultivating, harvesting, pressing, and preserving these fruits requires both mastery and age-old wisdom. We are dedicated to keeping these traditions alive and passing this sacred legacy down to future generations.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who accompanied me, supported me, and touched my story. This journey, which I began in search of a new life, has always been guided by my commitment to producing the highest quality and most reliable food. Reaching a point I could only have dreamed of in such a short time would not have been possible without you. Thank you for being part of this dream.
— NERMİN GELBAL GÖKDUMAN