Grapes

Agiorgitiko

Agiorgitiko is the quiet power grape of the Greek vineyard and of yet unexplored potential. It is not only the PDO grape of Nemea, the largest region with such status but has the fame that spreads throughout Greece and so does its cultivation. It is also the most marketed grape domestically, to the extent that one can find agents selling wines of Nemea anywhere in Greece, even in the heart of other dedicated wine-producing regions. It performs well in hot climates and gives a variety of styles. Thick-skinned of variable size, depending on the clone and with around 8 clones available commercially today. It is potentially high yielding, late budding and late ripening.

Producer

Papaioannou

This historic winery in Nemea continues a family tradition of no less than 7 generations. Founder Thanasis Papaioannou has been the first winemaker who has seen the potential of Assyrtiko and has taken its cultivation outside Santorini, to be soon followed by a bunch of winemakers across the country, who developed the many styles of Assyrtiko available in Greece today. He also adopted organic viticulture very early on and it was the first private vineyard in Nemea to obtain organic certification over 20 years ago. This work is now carried out faithfully by his son, George, who oversees the cultivation of their family vineyards, mostly in and around Ancient Nemea and directs the winemaking process. Their wines are being produced by the exclusive use of own grapes, which controls their final quality significantly. They cultivate both Greek and international grape varieties and produce over 20 labels that are distinguished by their lively fruit, as well as a classic and balanced style.