There was a feeling of autumn in the air as we set out for Ktima Gerovassiliou, one of the top wineries in Greece. We soon discovered that Ktima Gerovassiliou on the Thessaloniki Wine Road is a beautiful winery surrounded by a 56 hectare estate vineyard. Our Ktima Gerovassiliou #NorthGRTrip agenda included vineyard and museum visits, a wine tasting, and a light brunch.
Touring Ktima Gerovassiliou
As we walked towards the wine museum I pause to take in the autumn vineyard views. The day we visited there were also kindergarten students at the museum. The winery has an ongoing educational program with schools in the area.
One could easily spend a half-day, or more exploring the wine museum however, we had only enough time to take a quick look.
I did manage to catch a peek into the barrel room.
Ktima Gerovassiliou Wines
Following the tour there was a wine tasting. Ktima Gerovassiliou's high quality wines are produced from Greek (Malagousia, Assyrtiko, Limnio, Mavroudi and Mavrotragano) and international (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Syrah and Merlot) grape varieties grown in their estate vineyard. In fact the use of the term ktima means estate. Whenever the term is used it means that the grapes are cultivated and vinified by a winery on the estate.
In 1981 when Vangelis Gerovassiliou returned to the family vineyard he planted mainly Malagousia, which was in danger of extinction. He was the first to produce wine from this grape and quickly recognized its potential to make high quality wine. Today the winery continues to research and experiment with primarily Greek varieties. Utilizing the best of modern technology and tradition the winery's goal is to produce wines that best express the terroir of Epanomi.
Our wine tasting included:
1. White Wine 2014 (blend of Malagousia & Assyrtiko)
2. Malagousia 2014
3. Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2014
4. Viognier 2014
5. Chardonnay 2014
6. Red Wine 2012 (blend of Syrah, Merlot & Limnio)
7. Syrah 2011
8. Evangelo 2011 (blend Syrah & Viognier)
9. Avaton 2012 (blend of Limnio, Mavroudi & Mavrotragano)
10. Late Harvest Malagousia 2009
This was indeed an awesome lineup of wines. After tasting the wines I can see why these wines receive medals. Kitma Gerovassiliou has ranked among the top wine producers worldwide and they have made the list of the top 100 wineries for four years. For retailers in the US see Cava Spilladis.
After an awesome wine tasting we were treated to a morning snack/brunch.
Here are some of the plates that I sampled:
Our visit to Ktima Gerovassiliou on the Thessaloniki Wine Road was indeed the perfect way to continue my explorations on the Wine Roads of Northern Greece. Obviously Greece will continue to be a popular destination for travelers given its great wines and food, and amazing hospitality. Visitors to Greece must include Northern Greece in their travel plans for this is where they will discover a world just perfect for the gastronomic adventurer. Ktima Gerovassiliou is a must on such an adventure. I invite you to check out my travels in Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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| Ktima Gerovassiliou Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
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| Sculpture, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
Ktima Gerovassiliou in Epanomi Thessaloniki is regarded as one of the top wineries in North Greece. This is due to the efforts of the owner Vangelis Gerovassiliou. Vangelis Gerovassiliou is Bordeaux-trained winemaker who began his career at Domaine Porto Carras where he worked with Emile Peynaud. In 1981 he returned to the family vineyard and established a winery and made it into what it has become today. When we arrived at the winery we were met by Vangelis Gerovassiliou and Thrass Giantsidis, the assistant winemaker.
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| Arriving at Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
As we walked towards the wine museum I pause to take in the autumn vineyard views. The day we visited there were also kindergarten students at the museum. The winery has an ongoing educational program with schools in the area.
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| Autumn, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
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| Tree Art, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
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| Autumn Vines, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
One could easily spend a half-day, or more exploring the wine museum however, we had only enough time to take a quick look.
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| Bottle Display, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
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| Amphorae, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
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| Museum Display, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
I did manage to catch a peek into the barrel room.
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| Barrel Room, Ktima Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
Following the tour there was a wine tasting. Ktima Gerovassiliou's high quality wines are produced from Greek (Malagousia, Assyrtiko, Limnio, Mavroudi and Mavrotragano) and international (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Syrah and Merlot) grape varieties grown in their estate vineyard. In fact the use of the term ktima means estate. Whenever the term is used it means that the grapes are cultivated and vinified by a winery on the estate.
In 1981 when Vangelis Gerovassiliou returned to the family vineyard he planted mainly Malagousia, which was in danger of extinction. He was the first to produce wine from this grape and quickly recognized its potential to make high quality wine. Today the winery continues to research and experiment with primarily Greek varieties. Utilizing the best of modern technology and tradition the winery's goal is to produce wines that best express the terroir of Epanomi.
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| Tasting Ktima Gerovassiliou White Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Tasting, Kitma Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
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| Kitma Gerovassiliou Wines © Spaswinefood |
Our wine tasting included:
1. White Wine 2014 (blend of Malagousia & Assyrtiko)
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| White Wine 2014 (left) © Spaswinefood |
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| Malagousia 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Viognier 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Chardonnay 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Red Wine 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Syrah 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Evangelo 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Avaton 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Late Harvest Malagousia 2009 © Spaswinefood |
This was indeed an awesome lineup of wines. After tasting the wines I can see why these wines receive medals. Kitma Gerovassiliou has ranked among the top wine producers worldwide and they have made the list of the top 100 wineries for four years. For retailers in the US see Cava Spilladis.
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| Wine Tasting at Kitma Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
After an awesome wine tasting we were treated to a morning snack/brunch.
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| Restaurant, Kitma Gerovassiliou © Spaswinefood |
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Snack Time, Ktima Gerovassiliou Restaurant © Spaswinefood
Yes, this was considered a snack/light brunch. Obviously in Greece there is not only great wines and food but amazing hospitality. Such was the case at Ktima Gerovassiliou. Keep in mind that a "real" lunch was scheduled for our next stop at Tsantali's Rapsani Vineyard, Mount Olympus.
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