Would you…could you…leave a nice stable IT career and a sensible life in London England to…follow a dream of becoming an organic lavender farmer on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete? That is exactly what Gill Leonard and Derek Pearce did in 2002. They now own and run an organic boutique lavender and olive farm they call “The Lavender Way” producing their own distilled lavender essential oils, beautiful lavender wands, sachets, gel, spritzers, tea, lavender pillows and the odd luxury gift. They ship their superior products worldwide.

 

Gill and Derek occasionally allow visits to the farm itself where, if the season is right, you might be allowed to help harvest a bunch or two of lavender.

 http://www.thelavenderway.com/

Monica: How did you and Gill decide to move to Crete?

Derek: We were both at the top of our careers but were no longer finding that satisfying.

Monica: Did you consider other places?

Derek: We had three possible locations in mind: here, Ireland and Sri Lanka.

Monica: Did you used to vacation on Crete?

Derek: We had been coming here for three months every year for ten years before we made the big move.

Monica: I understand that Gill is the Farmer and you are her lovely assistant, correct?

Has it been a struggle, getting the farm going… or easy peasy?

Derek: Gill is the farmer and trust me it has been no easy ride – Greek paperwork is a nightmare and they don't make life easy. Crete is our dream but the lavender is Gill's – I do the olives and the tinctures.

Monica: What would you like (just a few words) your prospective customers to know?

What are you especially proud of?

Derek: We are proud of the unique qualities that Crete and Gill's love impart to the plants and the oil.

Gill grows several different cultivars although lavandula angustifolia predominates.

No pesticides. No herbicides. No fertilizers. All of their stock is strictly home grown. All is planted and harvested by hand, with love.

Planted in concentric circles their crops protect each other. They follow the zen of organic farming promulgated by Masanobu Fukuoka

In February 2009 Gill and Derek made official application to DIO , the Greek certification authority, for organic certification. Their first farm inspection has been completed successfully and their organic plan has been approved.

If all goes well their lavender products will receive full certification in 2011 and their olive production in 2012.

The Lavender Way sells essential oil of lavender in three types: pure spica oil which is a higher camphor level oil; pure angustifolia oil which is a perfume quality aroma with high notes and a genuine aromatic experience; occasionally they produce an oil which is a mixed distillate of spica and angustifolia biomass that has a distinctive aroma all its own.

Gill: I usually need to explain some of the Spica properties to people because it's so in your face and 'medicinal'.
It is the most potent anti-microbial oil with moderate anti-fungal action and has good insecticidal properties. Commonly used here to ease stiff joints and rheumatism or to clear the nostrils, ease sinusitis and clarify the head … it's a stimulant.

Monica: I find Gill’s Lavandula Angustifolia oil one of the sweetest and softest lavender oils I have ever experienced. Really lovely.

Sold in 10 ml bottles the Spica retails at €10 a bottle
the Angustifolia sells in 5ml bottles also at €10

Gill: Quantities are strictly limited and when it's gone it's gone so check availability and buy while we still have stock – Check Current Availabilty We have some of the 2008 vintage left – in both Spica and Angustifolia. (Our distiller describes this vintage as "exquisite").

The 2009 vintage Angustifolia is ready now as is the unusual and complex mixed oil which was distilled from a mixed biomass in late 2009.

 

 

Monica: I would like to order something sexy
Derek: Something sexy? Hmmm. We have lavender wands, they're pretty sexy
M: yes, I agree, some lavender wands for sure…but I was thinking more along the lines of…a poem
D: a poem?
M: yes, a few lines about a…lavender lady
D: well, i don't have one of those…give me a few days I might be able to come up with something
M: don't you have something you've already written to your lavender lady?
D: pauses, thinks… well, there was that poem I wrote for her at the beginning of our relationship but that was pretty personal, I mean, I'd have to ask her if it’s OK to put it out there..
M: couldn't you change it a bit? Edit out the risque parts, maybe cut it down to just a few lines?
D: I'll think about it, and I'll have to ask Gill if that’s ok with her, I mean, it’s her poem
M: alright. thanks! or maybe a new line or two for your lavender lady? Consider?
D: boy, you don't quit do you? OK Monica – you harassed me into it

 

 

The Lady of The Lavender

my Mistress grows sweet lavender
and cultivates my soul
she gives to us both love and care
in mystic rigmarole

her skin is soft, her eye is kind
her heart is full and hot
her gentle touch delights us all
and tends the cooking pot

she goes to tend the circled plots on ankles trim,
she skips, she hops, she treads
in torrid heat she bends to work
those purpled flower heads

my Mistress smells of Araby
when she slips between the sheets
she soothes my brow and heats my blood
in sexual lullaby

 

Commenters on this post will be entered in a draw to receive a sample vial of Lavandula Angustifolia essential oil and a sample vial of Lavandula Angustifolia/spica blend essential oil distilled by Derek and Gill at The Lavender Way farm, Crete, Greece. The draw will take place at 11:59 EST on Thursday September 2, 2010.

-Monica “Skye” Miller, Natural Perfume Editor & Senior Editor