Visiting Kontozisis Winery: Discovering Organic Greek Wine & Limniona
Discovering the wines, people and philosophy behind one of Greece’s organic wine pioneers
This past August Alex Kitts (Director) Jerome Christie Sommelier & Portfolio Manager for Intra Vino Inc. Spent a wonderful afternoon visiting Kontozisis Winery in Kanalia, Karditsa—and what an experience it was.
From the moment we arrived, Andreas and Afrodite welcomed us with genuine Greek hospitality. Despite being in the middle of harvest, they took the time to walk us through their beautifully maintained winery, share their philosophy and give us a glimpse into their exciting plans for the future.
Their motto perfectly captures what they are all about:
“Wines made from the wisdom of nature and the passion of humans.”
And it is a philosophy you can taste in the glass.
A Family Estate Built on Passion
Founded by self-taught winemaker Andreas Kontozisis and his brother, the family estate has evolved into a remarkable example of quality-focused, sustainable Greek winemaking. Today, Andreas works alongside his wife, Afrodite, crafting wines that combine character, structure and finesse while remaining firmly connected to their land.
The winery itself is especially impressive considering the challenges the Karditsa region has faced in recent years, including significant flooding. The care and attention given to the property and vineyards are a testament to the family’s resilience and commitment to their home.
Organic Before It Was Trendy
One of the things that impressed me most about Kontozisis is just how long their commitment to organic viticulture has been part of their story.
Kontozisis has been certified organic since 1991, making them one of the pioneers of organic wine production in Greece.
The estate encompasses approximately 14 hectares of low-yielding vineyards on the foothills of Mount Agrafa, with a strong focus on indigenous Greek grape varieties.
The vineyards include:
● Roditis
● Malagousia
● Assyrtiko
● Xinomavro
● Limniona, a local variety that has become central to the winery’s identity
The approach in the cellar is equally hands-off and respectful of the fruit. Grapes are hand-harvested, the wines are made using free-run juice and native yeasts, and several wines are produced without any added sulfites.
The result is a collection of wines that feel authentic to both the place and the people behind them.
The Wines That Stood Out
We had the opportunity to taste through the entire Kontozisis portfolio, and there were three wines that particularly caught my attention.
By Soft Nails — Limniona
This was one of my favourites of the tasting.
Limniona is one of Greece’s most exciting indigenous red varieties, and Kontozisis is deeply committed to helping revive and elevate its reputation.
There is something incredibly compelling about tasting a variety that remains relatively unknown internationally but has such obvious potential. The wine showed the kind of balance, structure and finesse that makes you want to explore the grape further.
Drop by Drop — Roditis
Roditis is another important Greek variety, and Kontozisis demonstrates just how expressive it can be when treated with care.
Drop by Drop was another standout, offering a wonderful combination of freshness, character and texture.
It is precisely the type of wine that reminds you why indigenous varieties are so important to the future of Greek wine.
Sun White — Malagousia
The Sun White Malagousia may have been the wine that surprised me most.
It immediately brought me back to the elegance and aromatic precision I associate with Domaine Gerovassiliou—a producer that helped establish Malagousia as one of Greece’s most exciting white varieties.
There was a beautiful combination of aromatics, freshness and finesse that made this wine particularly memorable.
The Mission: Elevating Limniona
Perhaps the most inspiring part of the Kontozisis story is the family’s long-term commitment to Limniona.
Rare indigenous varieties are an essential part of Greece’s wine identity, but many remain relatively unknown outside the country. Kontozisis is working to change that by demonstrating what Limniona can achieve when planted in the right place and handled with patience and respect.
For Intra Vino, this is exactly the kind of story we love discovering: authentic producers, indigenous varieties, sustainable farming and wines with a strong sense of place.
A Taste of Greece We’re Excited to Share
Visiting Kontozisis during harvest made the experience even more special. Seeing the people, vineyards and winery behind the bottles gives you a completely different appreciation for the wines.
A huge thank you to Andreas, Afrodite and the entire Kontozisis team for making time for us during such a busy period. Their hospitality, passion and dedication were unforgettable.
And after tasting through the portfolio, there is one thing I know for sure:
We can’t wait to bring these wines to Ontario.
Kontozisis represents so much of what makes Greek wine exciting today—ancient varieties, modern thinking, organic farming, family tradition and a relentless pursuit of quality.
Wines made from the wisdom of nature and the passion of humans.
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
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