Welcome to Nikola Pittaras creamery
Nikola Pittaras creamery and livestock unit are located in a semi-mountainous area 1 km from the Melanes of Naxos, surrounded by dry stones that border small family olive groves and orchards. Characteristic of the area are the strongly relief, hilly landscape, the stony ground and the Mediterranean climate: mild winters and cool summers, and the Aegean breeze that provides rich ventilation for the cowshed. The breeding of animals and the production of milk is done with respect to man and the environment.
The facilities
The modern cheese factory with a total area of 400m2 is well equipped: reception area and pasteurization of milk, cheese making in stainless steel tanks, curing area, quality control and packaging. A short distance away is the livestock unit where 220 Holstein dairy cows, 150 Sheep and Breeding Breeds and 100 Sheep for meat production live and grow under the Aegean sun. Corn and winter cereals are grown on the family estates, a large part of the forage needed by the unit. The most important benefit is not only the autonomy in food but the assurance of its quality: our own animals that are fed from food of our own cultivation to provide us with 100% of the milk for the production of our products.
The village – Melanes in Naxos
The village of Melanes is one of the oldest settlements of Naxos. The name Melanes (Ancient Greek for Black) comes from a legend where two brothers were killed in the area, after a duel for the government of Naxos. Their sister ordered them to wear a Mela Chiton (black garment), hence the name. Melanes are known today mainly from the kouros that was discovered in the area yet, a long cheese tradition is also evident in the archeological findings.
Nikola Pittaras’ livestock farm started in 1970 when his father, Emmanuel Pittaras, bought his first cow. With his love for this job and the help of his 3 sons at the moment the unit numbers 500 cattle and is the largest unit in the Aegean. Dairy production began in May 2008, initially using part of its unit’s milk production, and since April 2009 it has been using all the milk it produces. Today the production amounts to over 3,000 tons of milk per year, at least 250 tons of cheese and 100 tons of meat.
The family farms grow corn and winter cereals, a large part of the fodder needed by the unit. The most important benefit is not only self-reliance in food but ensuring its quality: The animals of the unit are fed mainly with self-produced animal feed and ensure 100% of the milk for the production of Pittara products.
The Pittaras Cheese from Naxos Island
Components of the quality of the products are the assurance of hygiene rules combined with the use of modern technology, the excellently trained scientific staff and adherence to traditional methods.
All ingredients are non-genetically modified as the unit has received Non GMO Certification from the Cosmocert Certification Organization according to the VLOG STANDARD. Also, the unit is the first dairy cow unit in Greece with a certificate of animal welfare and good treatment from the Cosmocert certification organization (Animal Welfare Certified).
We participate in the Aegean Cuisine network for the products Graviera Naxos P.O.P., Myzithra Glykia Naxos and Xinotyri Fresh Naxos.
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