North and northeast Attica is the coldest zone, which includes the mountains of Penteli and Parnitha. The climate is less influenced by the sea and has continental characteristics. Temperatures during the evening hours are significantly lower than during the day, thus the plants are relieved from the midday heat and the grapes maintain a higher acidity and develop a delicate aromatic potential. Grapes here ripen more slowly, unlike in Mesogeia where grapes can reach a high ripeness quickly, even in early August.
For example, the Savatiano in Stamata will hardly have alcohol content higher than 12% volume even in warm periods. The soils in Parnitha and Penteli are mostly arid. The vines have linear configurations and the best ones are sloping. Here Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have gained a particular reputation. The PGI Slopes of Pendelikon are for firm white wines only, while the PGI slopes of Parnitha are used for producing firm wines of all three colour varieties.
Wineries North Attica (slopes of mount Parnitha and mount Penteli)
Winery “Ktima Kokotos”
The story of the estate began in the mid 70’s when the family of George Kokotos decided to leave life in the big city and move to verdant Stamata to build a home and cultivate the land. The estate, occupying an area of more than 8 hectares, is developed on the top of a hill range on the northeastern slopes of Mt Pendelikos. In 1980, George and Anne Kokotou created a vineyard with the international varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, with the aim of producing high quality wines. Later they also planted Gewürztraminer and Assyrtiko varieties and since 1981 they have been producing wine from the local Savatiano vineyard. The soils are poor in organic matter, rich in trace elements and the altitude reaches 450 metres. The winery is located in the heart of the vineyard, which is certified organic, and the wines are matured and aged in the underground cellar.
From the estate, there is a Savatiano label and one with wine fermented in oak barrels. The same is the case for their two Chardonnay labels. There are also three single-vineyard versions of Assyrtiko, “Perdika of Ampeli”, Malagouzia “Heliogeni” and Gewürztraminer “Tres Parades”, and a white blend of Roditis and Savatiano called “Agrimi”. The Rosé “Kleftra Kissa” is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Finally, the reds include the “Kokotos Estate” blend of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the “Three Hills” blend of Agiorgitiko and the single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate is open to visitors and often hosts social and cultural events.
Address: Stamata, 14575, Attica
Tel: +30 210 8145113.
Email: info@kokotosestate.gr
www.kokotosestate.gr
Winery “Oenotria Gi” – Kostas Lazaridis Estate SA
Oinotros, the youngest son of King Lycaon, was, according to mythology, the first Greek to emigrate from his homeland. He founded a colony in the area of the Gulf of Taranto, in southern Italy, and there he produced wine. In a similar venture, the “Kostas Lazaridis Estate” from Drama created its own label “Oenotria Gi” in Kapandriti, Attica. The Estate includes a small but modern winery, which exclusively utilises the produce of its privately owned vineyards. The Kostas Lazaridis Wine Museum is housed in the 10,500 square metre complex, presenting numerous exhibits dating from the 17th century to the present day.
There are also spaces for the organization of social events, conference rooms and of course the underground cellars where the wines are aged. The vineyard is cultivated according to organic farming standards, has an area of 20 hectares and is located on the shores of Lake Marathon. The production is focused on Agiorgitiko, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The estate proves in practice that the organically cultivated Attica vineyard can produce top-quality red wines. Two labels are made available by the estate, one is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Agiorgitiko and the second is Syrah and Agiorgitiko. The Kostas Lazaridis Wine Museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 3 pm. Wine tastings are arranged by appointment.
Address: Kapandritiou-Kalamos, Attica
Tel.: +30 22950 52213
Email: este@domaine-lazaridi.gr
www.domaine-lazaridi.gr
Zenginis Winery
The Zenginis family cultivates its privately owned vineyards, handed down from generation to generation, in the area of Ramnounda, at the northernmost eastern tip of Attica. Dimitris Zenginis, who founded the winery, continues the family tradition of cultivating vineyards for the 3rd generation. The family’s vineyards are planted on red clay soil and the altitude ranges between 50m and 100m. The low altitude allows the sea breeze to pass through and cool the vineyards during the hot summer months. The main varieties grown are Savatiano, to a greater extent, but also Assyrtiko, Chardonnay, Agiorgitiko and Merlot. Dimitri and Sofia’s daughter Chrysanthi studied Oenology and Viticulture at the University of Bordeaux and upon returning, founded the winery’s wine laboratory. The winery produces the labels “Savatiano Zeginis” and “Velanidia” from Chardonnay and Agiorgitiko, the Merlot a rosé wine “Mon Rose” and a red wine. All labels are PGI Attica certified. At the winery, tastings are held by appointment in a specially designed room.
Address: 62 Souliou Avenue, Marathonas 19 007, Attica.
Tel.: +30 22940 67494, +30 698 2081914
Email: zeginiswinery@gmail.com
www.zeginiswinery.com
Bassis Winery
The story of the Bassis winery began in 1925, with the pioneering winemaker Anastasios Bassis. In the years that followed, his son Konstantinos took over, and later Tasos Bassis, who studied oenology in Bordeaux. Their wines are produced and bottled at the privately owned vineyard on the slopes of Mt Parnitha, where the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties are grown. The estate produces the PGI Attica “Ktima Bassi” from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which has been aged for 10 months in oak barrels, and the varietal wines “Aesthisis” from Moschofilero, “Sauvignon Blanc” and “Syrah”. The “KIVELI’S” range comes in red from Agiorgitiko, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, in rosé from Syrah, and in white, which is a blend of Savatiano and Roditis. Finally, “Retsina BASSIS”, Traditional Denomination, is made up of the varieties Savatiano and Roditis. The winery is currently closed to visitors.
Address: Souli Avenue 62, Marathonas 19007, Attica
Tel.: +30 22950 41648
Email: info@bassiswines.gr
www.bassis.gr
