THE STONE WINERY

Nikolas Hatziemmanouil was the first to revive the art of winemaking in Kos, producing wine from 1929 in the stone winery located in Marmaroto. Born and raised on the island, which was at the time under Italian occupation, at the age of 29 he decided to make use of the family’s vineyards. The wine, which was sweet and distributed in flasks, was made with "psima", an ancient technique where a percentage of the grape juice is boiled and concentrated before being added back to the rest of the must into concrete vats for fermentation.

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

In 1958 Nikolas' son Costas, returned from Australia where he worked for some years, and took over the reins of the family business. As a young boy he watched his father in the winery hide the wine in large ceramic flasks under the hollow floor boards in order for the Italians to not confiscate it. Costas insisted on producing sweet wine with the same ancient technique.

THE FIRST DRY WINE

Shortly before the turn of the millennium, Vasilis, one of three siblings decided to embark professionally in winemaking and viticulture. As a third generation winemaker he was initially taught the correct vine care from his father and then planted some vines in the local area of Asfendiou in order to produce dry wine. In 1998, for the first time in the family’s history, they produced dry wine, harmoniously combining the Greek varieties of malagouzia and assyrtiko.

THE FIRST BOTTLING

After seeing the great response that his wine had and the future prospects created, Vasilis Hatziemmanouil quickly realized that he had to renovate the winery in order to obtain a bottling license. The walls were painted, the old machinery went through meticulous maintenance, the premises were cleaned out and the first bottles were bought. In 1999, the Hatziemmanouil family obtained their bottling license and launched their first label!

THE NEW WINERY

Demand was increasing every year but the raw material was proving to be insufficient, resulting in Vasili gradually expanding the family vineyard. In the meantime, he begins the proceedings needed for building a new winery, equipped with modern machinery, which would be able to support the production of quality wines. In 2004, the new winery was completed, and a collaboration with the oenologist Υiannis Flerianos begins, while Joanna, Vasili’s wife, undertakes the administration and the communication of the business.

THE FIRST AWARD

Shortly after the winery's construction, the Hatziemmanouil family wins its first award. Participating for the first time in Thessaloniki's International Wine & Spirits competition the "Syrah" wine receives the silver award.

THE "REWARDING" YEAR

For the first time, the Hatziemmanouil family participates in «The Concours International de Lyon» - Lyon's International Wine Competition in France. After years of hard work, their dedication to the production of quality wines is finally recognised. The winery receives a gold award for the "Syrah" wine and silver for the "White".

During the following years, the Hatziemmanouil family remains committed to its goal in creating quality wines and continues to be awarded in both domestic and international wine competitions.

THE FOURTH GENERATION

After inheriting his grandfather’s passion for vines and his father’s passion for wine, Konstantinos Hatziemmanouil, prepares to take over. Currently, he takes part in the agricultural work, learns the secrets of winemaking and attends oenology classes. His sisters, Anastasia and Elena, are also close-by to support the efforts of their family.