Taygetos Honey | Fotopoulos Beekeeping Messinia

In 1980, Michalis Ch. Fotopoulos and his wife Maria Fotopoulou began modestly as amateur beekeepers, keeping five hives in the garden of their home in Akritochori, Messinia.

They produced just enough honey to meet the needs of their family — their three children, Christina, Antonia, and the youngest, Charalampos — and to share with relatives and close friends. After a few years, Michalis and Maria decided to turn their passion into a profession, becoming full-time honey producers to share the exquisite taste and nutritional value of their honey with everyone.

By 1983, their five hives had grown to 200, which they moved from their garden to the wider area of Messinian Mani and the mountains of Taygetos.

In 1984, they became active members of the Athens Farmers’ Market. The exceptional quality of their products continuously brought them new customers while keeping the old ones loyal. Their honey and other pure products — pollen, royal jelly, and the aromatic herbs of the mountains — delighted and nourished everyone.

In 1994, their son Charalampos Fotopoulos took over the family business. Having attended professional beekeeping seminars, he combined modern knowledge with his parents’ traditional craftsmanship — the true secret to their success.

Today, the parents still work with passion and care, continuing to produce honey and its derivatives while expanding the business and participating in major honey festivals. The company is now registered with the Beekeepers’ Cooperative of Kalamata and operates in both wholesale and retail trade.