A Family Story from Greece: The History behind Philotrophie

A Family Story from Greece: The History behind Philotrophie 

In the heart of the Cotswolds, where the rolling hills meet old stone, our family is embarking on a new chapter. Yet, the story of our sheep’s milk yoghurt doesn't begin here - it starts many generations ago, high in the central mountains of mainland Greece. It is a story woven through history, shaped by resilience and sustained by the simple, nourishing tradition of sheep herding.

A Mountain Refuge: The History of the Journey

To understand the roots of our craft, we must journey back to a long turbulent time in Greek history.

When the Ottoman Empire took over the lands of the Byzantine Empire in 1452, the lives of many Greeks were irrevocably changed. While many populations coexisted, the seizure of ancestral land and farms by Ottoman Turks often led to displacement and hardship for the Greeks. This fuelled numerous uprisings throughout the centuries, such as the famous Russian-backed Orlov revolt in the Peloponnese in 1770, culminating in the struggle for independence synonymous with the year 1821.

As a matter of survival, many Greeks sought refuge and freedom high in the rugged mountains, where the Ottoman presence was less imposing. This migration - a journey for sanctuary and a fresh start - is where our family’s tradition of shepherding began.

A family photograph

A Life in the Clouds

Though we do not know the exact time, our ancestors settled in the central mountainous villages near what is now known as Athanasios Diakos, a region re-named after a hero of the revolution.

Life here was defined by the rhythm of the seasons and the needs of their 2,000-strong flock.

The family would move their sheep across the mountains, following fresh pasture. They slept in simple shepherd's huts, their faithful shepherd and hunting dogs standing guard against bears, wolves and other predators.

Outside these remote huts, the daily tradition was born. The family would hand-milk their sheep and transform the fresh, warm milk into a daily fresh cheese and the nutritious, thick yoghurt that sustained them.

When the snows came, the sheep were kept safe in purpose-built village barns. The shepherds’ coats, essential for the cold spring and autumn nights, were crafted from the wool sheared in the spring.

This tradition of autonomy, connection to nature and simple nourishment continued for centuries.

The Call of the City: A Tradition Under Threat

Our family’s intimate relationship with the mountains continued up until my father-in-law was a boy. Indeed, up until twenty years ago, different uncles and cousins still spent the summer months herding in the mountains and moving the flocks to the Athenian lowlands for the winter.

However, the powerful pull of Athens and other cities, driven by the forces of globalisation and the financial crisis, has sadly emptied these once-vibrant villages. Today, these beautiful places are almost quiet, barring a buzz of activity in August.

Thankfully, the story is not over. Some younger shepherds are fighting to keep this vital cultural tradition alive. Others are choosing to swap their fast-paced, Westernised city lifestyles to reconnect with the simplicity of their past - and the land that shaped it. Our cousins in Athens continue this heritage, selling yoghurt and other products made with milk from these same mountains.

From Greek Heritage to Cotswold Hills

This deep-rooted history - this centuries-long commitment to the health of the flock and the purity of the milk - is the foundation of our brand.

We have brought the heart of that tradition from the sun-drenched mountains of Greece to the gentle, rolling landscape of the Cotswolds. Here, we are dedicated to honouring that heritage by producing sheep’s milk yoghurt that is as authentic and nutritious as the product made outside our ancestors' shepherd huts.

Introducing Our Sheep’s Milk Yoghurt

Our product is more than just dairy; it is a taste of history.

Sheep's milk is naturally high in protein, vitamins and minerals, and its texture lends itself perfectly to a yoghurt that is both rich and highly digestible.

By choosing Philotrophie, you are supporting a multi-generational legacy and enjoying a product crafted with deep respect for tradition, nature and simple, wholefood goodness.