Our village, Ampeliko of Lesvos is one of the most ancient villages of the island, as it has been inhabited since the 3rd century BC. It is located near Plomari, at the foot of mount Olympos, in an enchanting, serene landscape, away from urban centres and industry. It is 40 minutes (30 km) from the city of the Mytilene and 30 minutes (20 km) from Plomari.
In the past our village was called “Vakheon” and the occupation of the inhabitants was viticulture and rytin collection from pine trees. Today, the approximately 60 permanent residents are engaged in the cultivation of olives.
In the 16th century, there was a village of 270 people in the area of Rogkada. In Roman times it was called “Paliochorion”. Residents were engaged in the cultivation of olives and raising stock. In that area there are 3 Roman sarcophagus, an olive mill of Roman times (it is shown on our label), as well as petrified tree trunks, which is proof of the presence of people many years ago. Until the 1980s several families lived in Rogkada, especially in the summer, taking advantage of the fertile soil of the area for their crops that were in a magnificent location with lush vegetation and flowing water. Unfortunately, though, the last resident of Rogkada died in 1994 and until now the area remains uninhabited.
Today pine trees dominate, stock raising is in total decline and the remaining olive groves are less than 5. An unexploited treasure is gradually disappearing alongside the abandonment of its inhabitants. Apart of that ancient and traditional olive grove is cultivated by our family, trying to keep it alive.
