Some journeys begin with a single step. Ours began with an olive tree.
It started with my father, Ismail Sahin, a man with a vision and a deep appreciation for quality. One day, he tasted an olive oil unlike anything he had ever known—vibrant, rich, full of life. It was a revelation. That moment planted a seed, one that would grow into something far greater than he could have imagined. He saw an opportunity, not just to enjoy this extraordinary oil himself, but to bring it to others. With retirement on the horizon, he decided to begin.
In 2017, he found the perfect land in Köprübaşı, a district in Manisa, Türkiye, where the soil, sun, and air seemed to whisper promises of abundance. He planted 16,500 trees across 10 hectares, nurturing them with care and patience. As the seasons passed and the trees took root, so did the dream of Zagoda. The name “Zagoda” came from a cherished tradition in the Eastern Black Sea Region, where it refers to “green olives in brine”. A small word with deep roots, just like the trees themselves.
By 2021, it was time for Zagoda to take its next step. I, Ceren Su Sahin, brought our family’s olive oil from our homeland to our new home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was more than a business venture. It was a way to stay connected to where we came from and to share a piece of it with others. Food has a way of carrying memory, of bridging worlds, of telling stories without words. As immigrants, we knew the longing for home, and we also knew that something as simple as a bottle of olive oil could bring people together.
From Harvest to Bottle, A Commitment to Quality
Zagoda is the result of patience and precision. Each olive is hand-harvested early in the season, when the fruit is at its peak, preserving the highest levels of polyphenols and capturing the essence of the land. Within hours on the same day, the olives are pressed at our mill, never exceeding 27°C, ensuring that every drop of oil remains untouched by heat or chemicals. The result is something rare, something that tastes as alive as the land it comes from.
Sustainability is woven into our process. Our farm follows Türkiye’s Good Agricultural Practices, using organic composting and soil testing to nourish the trees naturally. Our facilities meet the highest standards for food safety and quality, certified under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2018. Every step, from the grove to the bottle, is done with care, with respect for the land and the people who tend it.
Where Music and Olive Oil Meet
For me, Zagoda is more than an olive oil company. It is an extension of everything I have dedicated my life to. As a professional pianist and pedagogue, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, I have spent years perfecting my craft, understanding how the smallest details shape the final experience. Music and olive oil are not so different. Both require skill, patience, and a deep respect for tradition. Both demand an understanding of the past while always striving for something new.
At its heart, Zagoda is about connection. Between generations, between lands, between people gathered around a table. It is the story of a father’s dream and a family’s commitment. It is the story of trees that now stand tall in Türkiye and bottles of golden oil that find their way into kitchens across the world.
This is our story. And now, it is yours too.
Learn more at: https://zagodaoliveoil.com/