In the ancient world, Greece was once the major wine producer.
Worthy of the country’s extensive wine heritage, during the last couple of decades modern Greek wines have been rising up to reach again at the top of the world of vines and wines.
Today Greece offers wines of exceptional value and unique varieties that promise to broaden your palate in the most delightful ways.
We are happy to announce the beginning of a new era for Lakonia Imports, introducing you to selected wines from some of the most significant Greek wine estates represented by their international, multi-awarded products.
In the following article, we explore two of those estates, giving you a promise for more to follow within 2023.
1. Wine Art Estate (Techni Alipias)
The winery is composed of two buildings that span the two sides of the road and are connected by an underground tunnel that quarters the impressive cellars where the wine matures in French oak barrels.
Wine Art Estate is nestled in the heart of Drama wine region.
The vineyards are planted on carefully chosen slopes, situated between two parallel mountains, Mount Falakro and Mount Menikion. which create a unique growing environment for the production of distinctive wines. The microclimate of the area fosters the production of full-flavored and balanced grapes with great aromatic potential.
The soil is mainly sandy-clay over limestone layers, suitable for the cultivation of the Greek and foreign varieties planted and ideal for the development of their characteristics. Win Art Estate vineyards are located in the Kali Vrisi area, an area known since ancient times for the cultivation of the vine and the production of wines and as indicated by the ruins of a Sanctuary of Dionysus, were selected for their rich soil, as a premium wine-growing area.
The result is world-class, quality wines that embody the spirit and character of this special terroir, firmly rooted in a distinct sense of place, characterized by freshness, finesse, and elegance.
2. Gavalas Family Winery
“Gavalas Winery’s purpose is to bring into the light and share through taste, the spectacular characteristics of Santorini’s volcanic “terroir”.
Santorini’s vineyards are unlike anywhere else on the planet.
Gavalas family winery is one of the oldest wineries in Santorini and lies in the traditional village of Megalochori.
The fourth-generation winemaker George Gavalas and his son Vagelis are focused on limited production bottlings with exclusive respect to the local varieties.
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WINE ART ESTATE – TECHNI ALIPIAS
Α dense and lush wine is the one that will keep you good company these freezing weekend evenings.
Techni Alipias red utilizes the unique and extremely successful blend of Bordeaux-originating Cabernet Sauvignon with Greek Agiorgitiko, a variety that traveled from the Peloponnese to Northern Greece and is expressed gracefully through the terroir of Drama.
Bottled wines aging at the Wine Art Estate cellars.
Techni Alipias is rich in mouth, mature, fleshy, well structured, with beautifully softened tannins that exudes the scents of red fruits, truffles, cloves, caramel, mocca and vanilla. It has a rich, rounded, fleshy taste and a good structure.
Techni Alipias has won the Gold Medal Award in Berliner Wein Trophy 2021.
About Berliner Wein Trophy:
Berliner Wine Trophy is the World’s Largest OIV* Wine Competition
*Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (French: International Organization of Vine and Wine)
GAVALAS SANTORINI
Assyrtiko (Ah-sear-tee-koh) is one of the top wines in Greece, produced all over the country. Assyrtiko’s most impressive region is its place of origin on the island of Santorini. This is a lean white wine with passion fruit, flint, and lemon flavors, subtle bitterness, and saltiness on the finish.
The mountainous vineyards of Megalochori as seen from Santorini’s main settlement, Oia.
Gavalas Santorini is a single variety 100% Assyrtiko POD (Protected Designation of Origin) wine made from more than 50-year-old vineyards located at the mountainous top of the island, in the area of Megalochori.
Close up at the Aegean sea volcanic soil of Santorini where Asssytiko grapes grow to become wine.
Following a tradition that counts five generations, 20% of the wine’s total volume will long fermate in old barrels for 2 months, and then will be reunited with the rest of the wine to mature and get bottled.
The rich aromas of stone fruits and dough frame the characteristic minerality of the variety.
For this year (2021) the production reached barely 4,000 bottles.
Gavcalas Santorini’s characteristic blue bottle depicts the island’s blue sky and seas surrounding the vineyards plateau.
Tasting notes: Aromas of citrus, lemon, pear, and peach accompany the typical saltiness and minerality of Assyrtiko. Full body with high acidity and long aftertaste.