Stelios Kechris Domaine: Home to award winning Retsina

Vinous travellers on the Wine Roads of North Greece should not miss stopping by Stelios Kechris Domaine to try their award winning Retsina. Our fourth day began with a drive to Stelios Kechris Domaine in Kalohori Thessaloniki. I had read about a modern style of Retsina and was so excited to learn more about it. Retsina, a resinated wine with over a 2,000 year wine history, is perhaps a wine that many void. However, if you can imagine a Retsina that is generating excitement in today's wine world, then Stelios Kechris Domaine is on that list. Recently, during a Northern Greece wine safari, I was fortunate enough to taste Stelios Kechris Domaine wines.

Stelios Kechris Domaine Wines © Spaswinefood

Stelios Kechris Domaine

True, no North Greece wine safari is complete without visiting Stelios Kechris Domaine. When we arrived at the winery, we were met by Yiorgos Darlos (Public Relations & Corporate Communications) and Stelios Kechris, the winery owner. Mr Kechris is also the President of Wines of North Greece. So it was that we were not only welcomed to the winery, but also to the wines of Northern Greece.

Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

We had definitely come to Stelios Kechris Domaine to taste its awarding winning Retsina. Retsina can be a white, or a rosé wine. The wine is made using the same techniques for making white and rosé wines, with resin added during fermentation. Later while racking the wine it is clarified by removing the solids and film created by the resin. 

Before doing a wine tasting, we toured the winery. We also learned a little about the winery's 100 year old history. Today the winery is run by Stelios Kechris and his three daughters (family's fourth generation). Both Mr. Kechris and one of his daughter's, Eleni are enologists who studied in France. The other two daughters are also involved in the winery's operation (Maria, art director and Zoe, administration and financial management).

Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

Given that Retsina has had a long tradition in Greece, there is still a demand for the traditional styled Retsina bottle. In fact the winery still uses the traditional bottle for some of its Retsina production.

Traditional Retsina Bottles, Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

It is hard not to be impressed by the winery's long history of producing Retsina. However, it is the recent innovations in its style of making Retsina that is capturing attention today.

Tasting Retsina & Other Stelios Kechris Wines
The wine tasting was quite eye opening for me. They produce nine wines, and during the tasting I tasted six of their wines. We began the tasting with their award winning Retsina wines. Retsina has Traditional Appellation status, which is protected by the European Union.

Wine Tasting, Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

We tasted three Retsinas, two white and one rosé.

Stelios Kechris Domaine Retsinas © Spaswinefood

Stelios Kechris Domaine Retsinas © Spaswinefood

1. Stelios Kechris Domaine, Kechribari Retsina 2014 (100% Roditis)

Stelios Kechris Domaine, Kechribari Retsina 2014 © Spaswinefood

2. Stelios Kechris Domaine, The Tear of the Pine 2014 (100% Assyrtiko)

Stelios Kechris Domaine, The Tear of the Pine 2014 © Spaswinefood

3. Stelios Kechris Domaine, On a Rosé Background 2014 (100% Xinomavro)

Stelios Kechris Domaine, On a Rosé Background 2014 (100% Xinomavro) © Spaswinefood

4. Genesis (Sauvignon Blanc Roditis), PGI Macedonia 2014 

Genesis, PGI Macedonia 2014 © Spaswinefood

5. Stelios Kechris Domaine, Xinomavro, PGI Macedonia 2011

Stelios Kechris Domaine, Xinomavro, PGI Macedonia 2011 © Spaswinefood

6.  The Fourth Dimension, PGI Macedonia 2012 & 2014

The Fourth Dimension, PGI Macedonia 2012 (Red) & 2014 (White) © Spaswinefood

These were all fine wines; however, what impressed me most were the Retsinas. While the critics have given the most praise to The Tear of the Pine I must admit, I really liked the rosé Retsina as well. A Retsina made from 100% Xinomavro is rather unique.

The Perfect Lunch with Retsina
After an insightful wine tasting, we ate lunch.  Retsina is to be enjoy with food. Our host had a local caterer serve us lunch. Lunch was indeed impressive. Let's checkout some of the foods enjoyed that day with Stelios Kechris Domaine Retsina.

Lunch, Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

There were so many tempting dishes to try.

Tomato Gazpacho Preparation © Spaswinefood

Lunch began with soup and bread.

Tomato Soup with Cheese  © Spaswinefood

Tomato Gazpacho with Cheese © Spaswinefood

Perfect Bread for Tomato Gazpacho © Spaswinefood

The soup was delicious. Now, we did not stop there, as there were many other tempting dishes to try. These dishes included:

Salad © Spaswinefood

Octopus Appetizer © Spaswinefood

Appetizers © Spaswinefood

Of course there were the other tempting plates.

Stuffed Mushroom © Spaswinefood

Stuffed Squid © Spaswinefood

 Polenta © Spaswinefood

 Moussaka © Spaswinefood

Beans & Sausages © Spaswinefood

Some members of the staff and family joined us for lunch.

Eleni Kechris, Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

Lunch, Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

When you taste special wines, and dine with a family you know, there is something special happening. It truly was amazing hospitality at Stelios Kechris Domaine.

Stelios Kechris Domaine Wine Labels © Spaswinefood

Stelios Kechris Domaine's Retsina is a wine you must try. I am sure there will be a Greek wine goddess/god calling me to taste more Greek wines soon. I also suspect that there maybe a special wine goddess for Retsina, given its over 2,000 year history. Spaswinefood is so looking forward to future explorations on the Wine Roads of Northern Greece. I invite you to join me in my travels in Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon
October 2015
Kalohori Thessaloniki, Greece

© Spaswinefood

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Stelios Kechris Domaine © Spaswinefood

Note: This expense paid Press Trip was sponsored by #dwcc15 and #NorthGRTrip