Indigenous Varieties

The Moschofilero variety

Ktima Tselepos

Since 1971, the approximately 500 hectares of the variety “Moschofilero” constitute the basis of Mantinia wines (Protected Designation of Origin). Wine made from Moschofilero is considered an authentic offspring of the ancient Arcadian vineyards, since in the texts of where the historian and traveler Theophrastus refers to the variety as the “smoky wine of Arcadia” it is referred to as the “smoky wine of Arcadia”.

The unique microclimate of the Mantinia vineyard differentiates the characteristics of Moschofilero here in comparison to the rest of the Peloponnese. Thus, Fileri that is being cultivated in other areas of Peloponnese is transformed into Moschofilero in Mantinia, with its distinctive aromas and flavors, assisted by low temperatures and late ripening.

The wine that is produced from the Moschofilero variety is usually a «blanc de gris», a white wine from grey grapes. A wine with strong rose aromas, reminds us a blend of aromas from Gewurztraminer and Muscat varieties, while its high acidity makes it ideal for the production of sparkling wines.

The Assyrtiko variety

Canava Chrissou – Tselepos

Assyrtiko, one of the renowned varieties in Greece, finds its supreme expression in Santorini, the most historic vineyard of Greece and one of the most ancient in the world which extends in 1.200 hectares.

Due to its volcanic soil, Santorini has never been affected by phylloxera, thus preserving its vineyard own-rooted, a fact that along with its particular microclimate, and the island’s viticultural and oenological tradition, creates a unique “terroir”, responsible for the highest quality wines produced on the island.

These wines are characterized by high acidity and high concentration of flavor, while at the same time stand out for their “mineral” character and can be aged for a long time in the bottle, giving wines of great complexity.

The Agiorgitiko variety

Ktima Driopi

The Nemea wine-growing zone is surrounded by massifs that lead to small hills and smooth slopes littered with vineyards, where the prevalent variety being “Agiorgitiko”, named after the former appellation of the “Saint George” area.

One of the most eclectic Greek varieties, which since 1971 is being cultivated in an area of 2,000 hectares, constitutes the prevalent red zone Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) of the Peloponnese vineyard.

It has also been called “the blood of Hercules” due to the deep red color of its grapes. The vineyard starts at an altitude of 200 meters and ends up in mountain vineyards at an altitude of up to 850 meters, resulting in great variability of styles in the produced wines.

Agiorgitiko, as a multi-dynamic variety, can produce different types of wines, depending on the microclimate where it is being cultivated. At low altitudes it can give remarkable sweet wines. In semi-mountainous areas such as Koutsi, it gives high quality red wines, with good acidity and richness in color and tannins, while in mountainous areas it can give supreme rosé wines.