The Family
Nikolou Winery has proudly upheld the art of family winemaking since 1875.
History:
Since ancient times, the fertile land of Mesogia has provided Athens with agricultural products and wine.
In the early 19th century, following the establishment of the Greek State, household welfare relied heavily on primary plant and animal production. Viticulture and wine production were among the various activities of our ancestors.
In 1875, Vassilios Anastasios Nikolou established a house and winery in the center of Koropi and planted vineyards on the outskirts, laying the foundations of our family wine tradition, which we proudly continue to this day.
The Family:
Since the 19th century, the Nikolou Family has been producing must and wine supplying Athenian taverns for over three generations. These partnerships have supported household welfare for many years and also provided necessary funds to enhance the quality of grapes and wine. Wine production continues in the same traditional location, now adapted to modern winemaking needs.
Today, Vassilios Nikolou, a chemist and professor of oenologycollaborates with his son, Evangelos Nikolou, a Viticulturist-Oenologist and PhD candidate in the winemaking process and technological advancements of the winery. Rania Skliri manages the winery while Christina Nikolou, Vassilios and Rania’s daughter,serves as the winery’s legal advisor.
1875
The Contract.
A contract from the Kingdom of Greece, featuring the handwritten signature of Charilaos Trikoupis, granted Vassilios Nikolou the vineyards of the “Savatiano” variety. In the heart of Koropi, he also laid the foundation for a traditional stone-built Mesogeian house and winery.
1960
The Replanting.
Phylloxera devastaded nearly the entire Greek vineyard, marking the end of the old vineyards and the beginning of a new era in modern winemaking for the region. Evangelos Nikolou and his wife, Maria, took on the challenge of replanting using phylloxera-resistant rootstocks while also enhancing traditional winemaking techniques. Since then, the family has dedicated itself to viticulture and winemaking.
1970
The Merchant.
The establishment of initial business relationships was traditionally secured through family connections with long-standing family-owned taverns in Athens, which our family supplied with grape must and later with Retsina wine.
1980
The Renewal.
Vassilios Nikolou, the first in the family to study Chemistry and Oenology, renovated the old family house and upgraded the facilities with modern technology, setting new standards aimed at completely reshaping the winemaking approach. This initiative paved the way for the family to begin bottling quality wines, an unprecedented move for the wider region.
1993
Avros Nikolou.
The bottling of the Savatiano variety, without the addition of pine resin, showcased its quality potential for the first time. Today, the Avros label is produced exclusively from the Muscat of Alexandria variety.
2007
The New Winery
The family invested in upgrading the technological equipment and the oenological laboratory. The open-air winery was enclosed, and a cool underground cellar was created. The stone elements of the winery were preserved, as they are captured in scenes from old Greek cinema that visitors easily recognize during wine tastings held in these premises.
2015
Botanic.
The Sparkling Retsina. This year marked a milestone for the winery with the production of the first and only sparkling Retsina made using the traditional method. Sparkling Retsina combines two great and historic European wine traditions: Greek Retsina and French Champagne. The Nikolou family embraced this innovative approach, showcasing the unique qualities of Retsina while elevating it to new heights.
2017
The Next Step.
A new philosophy was established with the rebranding of the label collection focusing primarily on promoting the Savatiano variety and Retsina wine, as well as other Greek varieties from Attica. This year also marked the beginning of the winery’s first exports to European and third countries alongside receiving its first visitor permit from the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT).
2020
Covid-19.
Amid global uncertainty in the wine industry, a radical renewal of the production area’s image takes place, featuring a striking contrast of wood, stone, and stainless steel (INOX) against a black backdrop. Additionally, our tasting courtyard was upgraded with new lighting and sound installations, enhancing the experience for visitors.
