Zeytune Farm
Our farm symbol is the black bird and was inspired by moving to our farm. The famous black bird comes by to take a share of his fruit every day! He specifically loves our cherries and apricots. Although this naughty bird gets a good share of our fruits, it is the bird responsible for planting the olive tree. There is even a proverb “the olive tree does not grow unless it is eaten by the black bird first.
We purchased our farm in 2017 from a German businessman who would travel here to find peace and quiet from his busy life. We spent beautiful years in Istanbul however, my happiest childhood memories were spent at my grandfather’s farm in Iran so I had a deep longing for nature. My husband travelled for many years as a diplomat all over the world, so he also would always mention how he would be happy in a more peaceful environment. After many years of research, we finally found the farm we had been looking for in Akkaya Valley. We live in the middle of a pine forest in a quiet and peaceful location with our dogs.
We love conscious living on the farm and we are inspired daily by the trees, nature and changing scents in our environment. We aim for zero waste and we try to reuse, recycle and compost everything we can.
We have a medicinal garden, lavender plants from Isaprta and over 60 types of trees including avocados, apricots, finger limes and different types of citrus. We will accept visitors to our farm in 2021 by appointment.
About Us
Lale Kemali Gonzales
Every journey I take starts with curiosity and passion to learn. If I fall in love on the way and believe that I can contribute in a meaningful way, I will concentrate on my target and continue my journey. Growing up with a mom who has been producing natural cosmetics over 40 years and my deep love for the olive tree insipred me to create a brand with a life span like the olive itself.After studying Business Administration in London, I worked in the corporate world for many years. When I decided to establish a soap company, I attended “Technical Course in Olive Oil Production” and several “Olive Oil Tasting” courses at ONAA ( Organizzasione Nazionale Assaggiotori Olio D’Oliva) in Imperia, Italy. I then travelled to Grasse where the heart of the perfumery world beats. I attended the GIP ( Grasse Institue of Perfumery) “Natural Cosmetics Formulations” and “Natural Perfume Creating” trainings. In New York and London I attended a cosmetics schools to learn Aromatherapy and more formulations on cold process soap and natural cosmetics. When I returned to Turkey, I established my company Zeytune and started producing cold process olive oil soaps and scented candles.
In 2017 we moved to Akkaya Valley and continued our production at the farm. It makes me very happy to connect with nature here and produce my soaps in the middle of a pine forest.
Ecz. Nazan Kemali
I completed a degree as Pharmacist. I taught chemistry at the Marmara University for 8 years. I was a Production Manager at Jean Pierre Cosmetics. Years later, I established a spa called Silhouette with my partner in Istanbul. My daughter Lale and I now teach phytotherapy, aromatherapy, natural face creams, massage oils and cold process soap.The olive tree which is known as the eternal tree has become a passion for us. For many years, I have seen the positive effects of olive oil in skin care products. Cold process olive oil soaps retain their moisturizing effect on the skin.