Mount Kithairon was sacred to Dionysus, Greek god of wine, undoubtedly because its valleys produced excellent grapes for winemaking. Lying between Athens and Thebes, part of this historically coveted land laced with history and tradition has today earned the status of Protected Geographical Indication for its exquisite grapes.

The vineyards grow at an elevation of 300-450 meters above sea level, with a typical Mediterranean climate and an average temperature of 17 degrees Celsius. The wet and cold winters contrast with the hot dry summers, producing perfect conditions in September and October to harvest the grapes.

More particularly, the Gikas vineyards at an elevation of 350 meters boasts grapes of exceptional quality, thanks to the constant fresh mountain breeze during the summer and cool summer nights. These conditions, along with a healthy clay-rich soil high in calcium carbonate help balance moisture content, creating the perfect balance of phenols and sugars in the grape. In addition, the slight incline of the vineyards ensures that excessive rainwater does not collect in the soil, yet has a beneficial cleansing effect on the land.

The vineyards' climatic and soil conditions are particularly beneficial for the local Malagousia and Assyrtiko grapes, offering greater availability of water, higher acidity levels, and lower pH low during the ripening process. This maximizes the aroma of the grapes and ultimately produces wines with delightfully full-bodied bouquets. At the same time, the soil's balanced water content also bestows beneficial effects on the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache rouge, leading to smaller grapes that have a particularly high concentration of tannins and anthocyanins. Lastly, meticulous farming practices designed to expose the vines to sunlight and minimize shadow help reduce the potential for disease and balance acidity.

Vineyards at a Glance

  • Elevation: 350-400 meters above sea level
  • Size: 150,000 square meters
  • Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Malagouzia, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
  • Climate: North-blowing winds, semi-dry and cold winter, large difference between highest and lowest temperatures
  • Topography: Mount Kithairon, highest peak of 1,409 meters, mostly pine forest with an fir forest at higher elevation
  • Soil: Sand-like clay
  • Cultivation: vines planted in rows
  • Vineyard orientation: descending north-to-south
  • Category: Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)