Marcus Gökmen’s Journey and the Birth of Elysian Olive Co.
At Elysian Olive Co., our story is shaped by the people who cultivate excellence behind the scenes. One of those pillars is co-founder Marcus Gökmen—a man whose life has been intertwined with olive trees since childhood.
His journey spans continents, careers, and disciplines, but at its core lies a singular devotion to understanding what makes truly exceptional olive oil.
From the olive groves of Gemlik to the culinary world of Ankara and Istanbul, Marcus brings a rare blend of heritage, scientific precision, and artisan craftsmanship that defines Elysian’s commitment to quality.
Early Roots in the Gemlik Olive Groves
Born in Yugoslavia, Marcus moved to Turkey with his family at the age of 12 and began working with olive trees and olive cultivation on their family farm in the Gemlik district of Bursa Province.
Marcus continued his interest in olive cultivation throughout his high school years. After completing his high school and university education in the capital, Ankara, he spent many years working in earthquake insurance and damage assessment, real estate valuation, and investment consulting.
During this time, he also applied his professional expertise to the family’s olive business—developing more advanced techniques for cultivating and processing high-quality olives in Bursa and the surrounding provinces. His work helped the family business expand its reach and serve a more diverse clientele.
A Lifetime of Experimentation and Mastery
Through meticulous experimentation with olive oils—each with different acidity levels and polyphenol concentrations—from 118 olive varieties grown across various regions of Turkey, Marcus developed extensive mastery in achieving the most balanced olive oil possible.
His knowledge spans flavor, clarity, acidity, polyphenol density, aroma, and texture. He now applies this expertise with precision and care to the production of Elysian olive oils, using advanced methods to ensure exceptional quality.
Where Family, Food, and Olive Oil Meet
Marcus lives with his son in Istanbul and has a great passion for gastronomy. It is one of his favorite hobbies and also blends naturally with his role as a single father. He is exceptionally skilled in the kitchen, especially in Mediterranean cuisine, where olive oil is central.
He also owns Mediterranean restaurants in Ankara and Istanbul, where he has built a substantial customer base, particularly through dishes created from his own recipes.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Marcus enjoys hiking, music, and volunteering. He actively supports various charities and associations, donating both his time and resources to individuals and communities in need.
He is also a board member of HİAD, the Christian Business Persons’ Association in Türkiye, through which they provide scholarships, housing opportunities for students, and ongoing support to other charitable organizations.
An expert in olive oil processing, the food sector, and insurance risk management, Marcus became one of the founding partners of Elysian Olive Co. in 2025. He brings together his sectoral knowledge, hands-on experience, and passion for olive cultivation with a commitment to vision and quality—aiming to introduce Turkey’s highest-quality olive oil to the North American food industry.
Uniting Vision and Craft: The Birth of Elysian
Elysian isn’t just an olive oil brand—it represents a larger vision.
For centuries, olive oil has symbolized abundance for humanity, and Elysian brings that legacy together with an unwavering pursuit of perfection. Every bottle begins with carefully selected, in-season olives that are harvested at peak quality and processed using traditional cold-pressing methods without heat treatment.
For Marcus, Elysian is an exciting culinary journey—one that allows him to express his distinct signature and bring his definition of the highest-quality olive oil to life.
When Kimberly, who shares his belief that olive oil is unparalleled among oils for its nutritional value, aroma, flavor, and long history of blessing, entered the story, their paths converged into a shared and irrevocable vision.
This premium olive oil—crafted from the healthy, flavorful fruits of trees along Türkiye’s southern coastline and shaped by the salt- and mineral-rich breezes of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas—is more than a business venture.
For Kimberly and Marcus, it is the bottled expression of their deep-rooted love for olive oil and their commitment to sharing Turkey’s finest with the world.
A Founder’s Legacy Within Elysian
Marcus’s story—rooted in heritage, expanded through expertise, and refined by passion—has become an essential part of Elysian’s identity. His commitment to excellence shapes our processes, inspires our vision, and elevates the standard to which we hold ourselves.
Together, our founders share a unified mission: to bring Türkiye’s most exceptional olive oil to North America with honesty, artistry, and a deep respect for the craft.
