Athens is one of the world's major cities with wine country nearby. I have always thought that perhaps the first wine story began with the Greek god of wine, Dionysus bringing some wine, maybe Attica wines, to Goddess Athena at the Parthenon, Athens. These days, nearby, Attica wine country is known for producing Greek varieties, such as Assyrtiko, Athiri, Agiorgitiko, Malagouzia and Savatiano. The international varieties produced here include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Attica is the cradle of the Savatiano variety. While Savatiano, is well-known for its use in the making of Retsina, it also does well in the making of white wine, and sparkling wines. In this article I will highlight three Attica wineries.
May 2024 I returned to Athens to continue my wine country travels in Greece. This time it was an opportunity to spend time with my sister, Georgia while exploring nearby Attica wine country with my #sistersinwine, Anna Aga (Oenologist) and Evangelie Tseliou (Co-owner Cinque Winebars). We visited Roxani Matsa Estate, and Nikolou Winery. Meanwhile earlier when the winelover community held their 10th #Winelover Anniversary Celebrations in Greece June 10-13, 2022 we visited Kokotos Estate, a boutique family winery in Stamata, in East Attica. Both Anna Aga and Evangelie Tseliou also played a role in organizing the 2022 visit.
Let's discover why Roxani Matsa Estate, Nikolou Winery, and Kokotos Estate are three must visit Attica wineries.
Roxani Matsa Estate
Roxani Matsa Estate, a historic vineyard established in 1878, in Kantza, is 15km from Central Athens. Roxani reclaimed her family's heritage and tradition in 1976 by establishing her own vineyard. Her wine estate is part of the original land her family cultivated for 150 years. Roxani Matsa Estate is where you will, experience amazing hospitality, and discover its fascinating history and wines.
Touring Roxani Matsa Estate © Spaswinefood
While this historic Attica estate is located, in an area known for its Savatiano, in recent times however, this area has seen experimentation with various international and other Greek varieties. Presently Savatiano, Roditis, Assyrtiko, Syrah, Malagouzia, and Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated on this estate.
Thank you Roxani Matsa Estate for your warm hospitality and sharing your estate's wine history with us!
Nikolou Winery
Nikolou Winery, a family winery located in Koropi, a historical winemaking area, is just 40 minutes away from central Athens. Our visit to Attica's Nikolou Winery was an absolute delight. We arrived at Nikolou Winery around mid-day where we were treated to the absolute best of wine country experiences.
Welcome to Nikolou Winery
Vassilis Nikolou is a key player in the winery's success. He was born in1962 in Koropi, where the Nikolou family traditionally engaged in vine producing traditionally draft retsina from Savatiano. Vasilis Nikolou grew up in this environment. He went onto achieving a Bachelor in Food Technology (1983), and a BSc Degree in Chemistry (1987), followed by postgraduate Oenology studies. Since 1992 he has been Lecturer at the Department of Oenology and Beverage Technology, TEI Athens, educating new generations of Oenologists. Anna Aga was one of his students.
In 1991 Vassilis took over the family winery and established an oenological laboratory onsite. Vassilis and his wife, Rania Skliri, have two children: Evangelos Nikolou (graduate from Agricultural University of Athens) and Christina Nikolou (graduate from Democritus University Law School). Vassilis and Rania have mentored their children to continue the family's winemaking tradition.
After we arrived we sat down with Vasilis and Evangelos Nikolou. They shared with us an overview of the winery's history, and introduced us to some their ongoing wine projects. During this conversation I learnt that Nikolou Winery was awarded by CEUCO Best European Winery 2018.
Next, we did a tour of the winery, which included a video presentation, a stop in the lab, and we were also introduced to ongoing wine projects.
Nikolou Winery's Lab © Spaswinefood
My #winesister, Evangelie describe this wine tasting as Savatiano mon amour !! . I am inclined to agree with her description. Given the rich diversity of Savatiano wines we tasted it clearly showcases a love for Savatiano.
Of course there was dessert.
Dessert was paired with a sweet wine.
Savatiano mon amour !! There is no comparison to be spoiled in Greece.
Besides producing Savatiano wines, the winery uses grapes from 1) Mesogaia (a region within Attica) to make Savatiano and Mandilaria Rose wines, 2) Limnos to make Moschato Alexandrias, 3) North Attica to make Malagouzia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and 4) Nemea mountains to make Agiorgitiko. Naturally, wether I am in Greece, or at home I love having Greek wines on the table. For me, Greek wines made with indigenous grape varieties are amongst the most exciting. For sure Greece is at the top of my wine list for its unique grape varieties. Greece is where my wine soul feels at home.
The following TripAdvisory's description of Nikolou Winery is an excellent summary of what we experienced:
Our passion for quality winemaking and innovation has been passed on intact. As one of the few remaining traditional wineries in South-eastern Attica, we are opening our doors for guests from all around the world to enjoy a personal and educational winetasting. At our winery, you can learn about our history and traditional wine production. Also, you will be able to have a piece of in-depth knowledge about sparkling winemaking and enjoy your winetasting with traditional flavors made fresh by our family. You can combine your visit with other activities all over Attica, or even stop for a refreshing winetasting experience right before/after leaving for/arriving at El. Venizelos Airport (10 minutes away).
Special thanks to Οινοποιείο Νικολού/Nikolou Winery for the warm hospitality! Nikolou Winery is a winery with all family members engaged. Later at checkout I met Christina Nikolou who is engaged in the legal and business side of winery operations. Since visiting I have discovered that Rania Skliri manages the winery's social media. This is a family winery where all is contributing to its success.
Ktima Kokotos
Ktima Kokotos, a lovely estate surrounded by nature, is just 23 km north of Athens. When the winelover community held their 10th #Winelover Anniversary Celebrations in Greece June 10-13, 2022 we visited Kokotos Estate, a boutique family winery in Stamata, in East Attica. There we met up with Anne Kokotos. Kokotos is truly beautiful estate, which I was delighted to visit given I had tasted their wines on prior occasions. They produce amazing wines that showcase a sense of place.
Kokotos Estate, Attica © Spaswinefood
There once was thousands of hectares of grapes planted in Attica, which was Greece’s most important wine-producing region at the turn of the 20th century. From the mid-1960’s onwards most of them disappeared, as the city expanded in all directions. The problem was further compounded by the fact that land ownership was divided into thousands of plots, leading to many grape growers to abandon viticulture altogether. Moreover, when the Athens airport relocated in 2001 to its current location in Spata, more than 1,800 hectares of vineyards were sacrificed in the process. However, fortunately this was offset by a decree ruling that all the surrounding land will remain farmland indefinitely. This saved a large part of Attica’s vineyards.
Welcome to Kokotos Estate © Spaswinefood
Welcome to Kokotos Estate
This beautiful wine estate is located on the northern slopes of Mount Pendeli, where in ancient times the god of wine, Dionysus was worshipped. Upon arrival at the winery we were greeted by Anne Kokotos who, along with her husband, George founded their winery in 1980's. After exchanging greetings we were off with Anne to explore the vineyards, and check out the wine cellar.
#Winelovers Explore Kokotos Estate © Spaswinefood
The estate’s seven hectares, are spread over a hilltop on the north eastern slopes of Mt Pendeli. From the hilltop there are views of the Attic basin, and on a clear day you can see as far as the island of Evia. By the time we arrived back at the tasting room it was clear to me that Anne Kokotos brings not only passion but also, an expertise to wine production at their family winery. Clearly, the walls at the entrance to the tasting room highlighted the many awards for their wines however, there was one plaque that caught my attention. It was the recognition of Anne Kokotos as being the best sommelier in Europe in 2002.
Kokotos Estate Wines
The estate is known for its elegant and sophisticated wines. During the tasting we tasted the following wines:
Kokotos Estate Wines © Spaswinefood
It is not surprising to me that Kokotos Estate produces wonderful wines given a world class sommelier founded her home here.
Earlier Kokotos Estate Wine Memories
Visiting Kokotos Estate and tasting their wines brought back earlier wine memories for me. I would like to note that my first introduction to Kokotos Estate wines at Cinque Wine Bar, Athens in 2016. The two wines (one white and one red) that I tasted were:
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| Savatiano G. Kokotos 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Savatiano G. Kokotos 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Kokotos Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Reflections, Museum of Wine, Pallini 2016 © Spaswinefood |
Anna Aga was one of the winemakers pouring wines at this event for Kokotos Estate. In fact Anna was winemaker at Kokotos Estate at that time.
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| Anna, Pouring Kokotos Estate Wines © Spaswinefood |
White Wines
1. Savatiano G. Kokotos 2014
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| Savatiano G. Kokotos 2014 © Spaswinefood |
2. Kokotos Estate, Agrimi 2015
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| Kokotos Estate, Agrimi 2015 © Spaswinefood |
3. Kokotos Estate, Perdika sto Ampli 2015
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| Kokotos Estate, Perdika sto Ampeli (Partridge in the Vines) 2015 © Spaswinefood |
4. Kokotos Estate, Tris Tris Parades 2015
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| Kokotos Estate, Tris Tris Parades 2015 © Spaswinefood |
5. Kokotos Estate, Chardonnay 2014
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| Kokotos Estate, Chardonnay 2014 © Spaswinefood |
6. Kokotos Estate, Klefta Kissa 2014
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| Kokotos Estate, Klefta Kissa (Thieving Magpie) 2014© Spaswinefood |
Red Wines
I did not have enough time to tasted all of the wines during the wine tasting. However, during lunch I managed to re-taste Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 and sample the 2012 vintage for the first time.
7. Kokotos Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 & 2011
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| Kokotos Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 & 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Kokotos Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 & & Klefta Kissa 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 & Klefta Kissa 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Thank you Roxani Matsa Estate, Nikolou Winery, and Kokotos Estate for your warm hospitality and the sharing your wines! If your travels take you to Athens then explore nearby Attica wine country. You can also discover Greek wines at a local wine store near you. Now is the time to explore Greek Wines! Special thanks to #winesisters Ana and Evangelie for your ongoing support in my exploration for Greek wines. I invite you to join me in my wine adventures in Greece at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook.
CHEERS!
