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Interview of Mr.Argyris Gerovassiliou – Agronomist – Enologist (second generation) of Ktima Gerovassiliou for AsiaImportNews – Exclusive
Could you please tell us the story of your winery, when it was created and how it developed decades after decades ?
Ktima Gerovassiliou is the brainchild of my father, Vangelis Gerovassiliou. In 1981, he started reviving the family vineyard extending over 2.5 hectares in the Papamola region of Epanomi, approximately 25km southeast of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. In this unique ecosystem he planted mainly Greek, but also foreign grape varieties. Urged by his love, knowledge and experience in vine-growing and fine wines, he began to renovate the family vineyard and created the Ktima Gerovassiliou.
Parallel to his interest in quality wine making, our family’s other aspiration is to enhance the wine-growing tradition: in 1976, my father, started collecting viticulture, winemaking, bottling and cooperage tools from around the world. This collection is housed in the Gerovassiliou Wine Museum, located at the heart of the estate’s winery, next to the underground ageing cellar and the wine tasting room.
My family’s love for wine and vine-growing was imparted to me, my sisters and the estate’s employees. Coming back from Bordeaux in July, where I completed my studies in Enology, I hope to contribute to the production of quality wines with fresh ideas.
What sort of wines are you producing ?
At Ktima Gerovassiliou the vineyard is cultivated with great care and enthusiasm that lead us to constantly research and experiment with Greek and foreign varieties, both well- and less- known. New technological advances blend well with tradition throughout vine growing and vinification processes.
The aim is to produce high quality wines from grapes cultivated in the privately-owned vineyard which exhibit all the distinctive characteristics of the specific microclimate (terroir) of Epanomi.
How important are your export distribution compared to national distribution ?
Despite the financial crisis, the Greek market is still our primary goal. Thus, about 30% of annual production is exported to Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Cyprus, Austria, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain etc.), the U.S.A., Canada, S. Korea, Brazil and Australia. However, the last 3 years we have been focusing on new plantations in order to increase our production and be able to satisfy more customers not only inside but also outside Greece.
What sort of distributors are your customers ?
For each country a different regime applies. There are countries that we have an exclusive importer, such as USA, UK, S. Korea, and other countries that we work with many different wholesalers, such as Germany.
Why your wines are different from other wineries in your area ?
All of the estate wines are classified as Protected Geographical Indication Epanomi. We were the first to acknowledge the potential of our small village for the production of fine wines and we invested in the region. The last few years, there are quite a few young wine-producers that choose Epanomi for this matter. We are glad to see such a progress and one day Epanomi might become one of Greece’s most important wine regions.
Do you produce grapes in a organic or environmental friendly method, or with general methods ?
The vineyard is cultivated according to the standards of an Integrated Management System that aims to produce wine grapes following a certified cultivation procedure according to AGRO 2.1-2.2, meeting all relevant quality and safety requirements and respecting the environment, the vineyard’s employees and the consumer. Primary concern is the meticulous care of the vineyard, therefore all rural tasks – including harvest- are done by hand.
Are your wines already distributed in Asia, and if not what are the countries you are looking for new distributors ?
Lately, we have been focusing on the Asian market. Our wines have already won a place in S. Korea and targeted efforts are launched for the Japanese market.
Is there anything who want to add about your wines, story or any news ?
Upon returning from France, in the late seventies, where my father specialised in Oenology, Viticulture and the Technology of Wine-making equipment at the University of Bordeaux, he worked at Domaine Porto Carras in Chalkidiki as Chief Oenologist from 1976 until 1999. There, an experimental vineyard of 27 rare indigenous varieties was created by the Porto Carras agricultural team. Malagousia was one of them, and my father then recognized the variety’s qualitative dynamic and intriguing aromatic profile. It was there that he first vinified, revived and rescued from oblivion the long forgotten Greek variety of Malagousia.
Thank you Mr.Argyris Gerovassiliou – Agronomist – Enologist of Ktima Gerovassiliou for your time and answers!
For Importers:
Ktima Gerovassiliou: www.gerovassiliou.gr
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