Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara is the flagship cheese of Pittaras Dairy and a Protected Designation of Origin cheese produced on the island of Naxos, in the Cyclades, Greece. It represents one of the island’s most important cheesemaking traditions and is closely connected to Naxos’s long history of cattle farming and dairy production.
At Pittaras Dairy, Graviera Naxou PDO is produced daily from fresh, pasteurized cow’s milk sourced through the company’s vertically integrated production system. Through its “From Seed to Shelf” philosophy, Pittaras Dairy maintains close control over the production chain, from animal feed and herd care to milk production, cheesemaking and maturation. The farm uses certified non-GMO animal feed, while the cheese is matured for a minimum of 90 days before reaching the market.
The result is a firm yet pleasantly supple cheese with a rich, balanced flavour, characteristic dairy sweetness and a distinctive character shaped by its maturation. Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara can be enjoyed on its own as a table cheese, paired with bread, fruit or wine, grated over pasta and traditional dishes, or incorporated into both Greek and contemporary recipes.
Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara has received distinctions in Greek and international cheese competitions and has been recognized through platforms and institutions including International Taste Institute, the World Cheese Awards, Mediterranean Taste Awards, Excellent Taste Awards MTA London, Concours International de Lyon, Taste Olymp Awards, Athens Fine Food Awards (AFFA) and the Specialist Awards. Today it is available through Pittaras Dairy’s network of partners in Greece and selected markets abroad, with the company continuing to develop its international presence while maintaining production on Naxos and preserving the standards and identity of genuine Graviera Naxou PDO.
Producer
Graviera Pittara is a family-owned dairy and cheese producer based in Melanes, Naxos, Greece. Its roots in livestock farming date back to 1970, while the family established its dairy and cheesemaking operation in 2009.
The company’s philosophy is built around a vertically integrated production model described as “From Seed to Shelf”. The “From Seed to Shelf” philosophy also reflects a circular approach to production, connecting farming, livestock and cheesemaking while making responsible use of resources and reducing waste wherever possible.
Graviera Pittara manages the key stages of its production chain, from cultivating and selecting feed for its animals and caring for its own dairy herd, to milk production, cheesemaking, maturation and distribution. This allows the family to maintain close control over the origin and quality of its raw materials and over every stage that shapes the final product. The farm uses certified non-GMO animal feed and has also received Animal Welfare certification, reflecting the company’s focus on responsible livestock farming. At the heart of its range is Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara, made from fresh pasteurized cow’s milk and matured for a minimum of 90 days, alongside longer-aged Graviera, Kefalotyri, Anthotyro, Xinotyro and other cheeses rooted in the cheesemaking tradition of Naxos.
Today, Graviera Pittara has grown into one of the leading cheese producers in the Cyclades while remaining closely connected to Naxos, its agricultural community and its family origins. Its products are available through a growing network of retailers, food-service businesses and partners, serving consumers both in Greece and abroad. Looking ahead, the company’s goal is to continue developing its presence in international markets while remaining committed to the same principles on which it was built: control from seed to shelf, respect for the land and animals, continuous improvement, and the production of genuine Graviera Naxou PDO and high-quality Naxian dairy products.