Wine Art Estate

Wine is an art – and such is what we create

The tidy little village of Mikrohori (which literally means “little town”) near Drama is home to Wine Art Estate, created in 1995 by Yiannis Kalaitzidis and Yiannis Papadopoulos, engineer and architect by profession, respectively.

Currently under construction, the new winery building, when completed, will be on both sides of the main village road, connected by an underground passageway. But where it is in a ready state, its cellar walls are covered with certificates and awards won at national and international wine competitions.

“We have won 25 gold medals this year [2007],” Papadopoulos said to Bacchus. Yet that is not the only focus of the winery. That it is also connected to the world of fine art is evident not only from its name, but also from the numerous canvases that have served as the images for the wines’ bottle labels. The artist in question is Nikos Karamanolis, a close friend of the owners.

The personal attitudes of the two men oozes out of every nook and cranny of the winery, with Kalaitzidis and Papadopoulos saying that they “want people to come here because of the wine and for them to take delight in it”.

In addition to varietals traditional for the region, they have chosen two Italian grapes – nebbiolo and sangiovese. The explanation is clear: they are fans of super Tuscans and the magnificent specimens from Piemonte.

Wine Art Estate is developing its brand offerings. One is Techni Alipias, which, in old Greek, means “art for the elimination of sorrow”. Wines from the Techni Alipias series (red, white, rose) quickly gained a place on the market and if, in the first harvest, in 1996, Wine Art Estate produced 3000 bottles, in 2001 that number reached 100 000. This label comprises wines made from assyrtiko, chardonnay, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.

The high-range series carries the name of Idisma Drios, which means “the spice (taste) of oak”, which is connected with the wine’s six-month-long fermentation in oak barrels. Idisma Drios wines have been around since 1999. Two years later, a limited series of wines made from nebbiolo (harvest 1998, 300 bottles) appeared under the same label.

Techni Alipias
Regional white wine; sauvignon blanc and assyrtiko 2006.
Very delicate colour and fine floral notes in the nose, together with the green peach and grapefruit typical of sauvignon blanc. Fresh fruit taste with exceptional balance – despite the 13 per cent alcohol, the wine is round and smooth through the finish. (about 10 euro)

Techni Alipias
Regional rose; cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sangiovese, nebbiolo and syrah 2006.
Notably concentrated, sparkling light cherry colour. Very warm nose with red fruits and minerals. Exceptional body, complex and concentrated with a good sweet part and balanced finish despite the high alcohol (13.5 per cent). (about 12 euro)

Techni Alipias
Regional red; cabernet sauvignon and merlot 2005.
Very concentrated dark ruby colour. Spicy character in the aroma with gentle accents of dried fruit and leather. Fresh taste with a good body and a long, spicy-dry finish. (about 13 euro)

661 00 Mikrohori, Drama
Tel: +30 25210 83626 57380
winepap@dra.forthnet.gr