Meet Our Certified Olive Oil Sommelier
Maria Blackburn – Certified Olive Oil Sommelier
Maria Blackburn, founder of The Governor, is a Certified Olive Oil Sommelier, trained through internationally recognised programmes. This qualification reflects a deep expertise in olive oil quality, flavour, and health properties, and a commitment to helping people understand what truly sets exceptional extra virgin olive oil apart.
What This Means
As a certified sommelier, Maria is trained in:
- Sensory analysis (flavour, aroma, and quality)
- Identifying defects and authenticity
- Polyphenols and their health benefits
- Olive oil production methods and their impact
This knowledge ensures every bottle of The Governor is selected not just for taste, but for its nutritional value and integrity.
Why It Matters
Many olive oils on the market fall short in both quality and health benefits.
Maria’s expertise ensures that The Governor:
- Contains high levels of beneficial polyphenols
- Meets strict standards for freshness and authenticity
- Delivers both exceptional flavour and functional health benefits
You’re not just buying olive oil, you’re choosing one selected with expert knowledge and care.
A Passion for Health & Quality
Maria’s work is driven by a passion for health, family, and natural ingredients.
Her focus is simple: to offer olive oil that supports wellbeing while delivering outstanding taste.
Her sommelier training strengthens this mission, combining science, tradition, and daily practical use.
From Corfu to Your Kitchen
The Governor is produced in Corfu by the Dafnis family using early harvest methods from centuries-old Lianolia olive trees.
Each oil is carefully evaluated for:
- Flavour and balance
- Polyphenol content
- Overall quality
More Than Olive Oil
This certification is about more than credentials; it’s about sharing knowledge.
Through The Governor, Maria helps customers:
- Understand how to choose high-quality EVOO
- Learn how to use it daily for health
- Appreciate its flavour and benefits
Our Promise
- Expert-led selection
- Proven quality
- A product you can trust
Discover the Difference
Experience olive oil selected with true expertise, for both health and flavour.
Taste the Difference with The Governor
When you choose The Governor's cold pressed and organic extra virgin olive oil, you're not just enhancing your meals—you're nourishing your body and supporting a legacy of excellence, sustainability, and health.
DIO-Certified Organic
We’re proud to share that The Governor extra virgin olive oil is now certified organic by DIO, Greece’s leading Organic Products Control & Certification Organization. This certification guarantees our oil is produced without synthetic chemicals, meeting strict EU organic standards for quality, sustainability, and purity.