From Field to Bottle: How We Grow and Distill Lavender

From Field to Bottle: The Journey of Our Lavender

Every bottle of essential oil and every bundle of dried lavender begins in the field. At Strehl Family Farms, the journey starts with carefully cultivating lavender plants and tending them throughout the growing season until they reach peak bloom.

When the flowers are at their most fragrant, they are harvested by hand to ensure quality and preserve the integrity of the plant. Timing is important, as the condition of the flowers can influence both the aroma and the quality of the finished products. After harvest, some lavender is dried for decorative and household uses, while the rest is prepared for distillation.

Steam distillation is the process used to produce both lavender essential oil and lavender hydrosol. As steam passes through the lavender flowers, it captures the plant's aromatic compounds. Once cooled, the resulting liquid naturally separates into essential oil and hydrosol, creating two distinct products from a single harvest.

By managing every step ourselves—from growing and harvesting to distillation and packaging—we maintain complete control over quality and consistency. It is a process rooted in craftsmanship, patience, and a commitment to sharing the authentic beauty of farm-grown lavender with every customer.