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 then under Italian occupation, he decided at 29 to make use of the family’s vineyards. The wine, which was sweet and distributed in flasks, was made with "psima", an ancient technique in which a percentage of the grape juice is boiled and concentrated before being added back to the rest of the must in concrete vats for fermentation.

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

In 1958, Nikolas' son Costas returned from Australia, where he had worked for some years, and took over the reins of the family business. As a young boy, he watched his father hide the wine in the winery, in large ceramic flasks beneath the hollow floorboards, so the Italians would 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 on a professional career in winemaking and viticulture. As a third-generation winemaker, he was initially taught proper vine care by his father and then planted vines in the local area of Asfendiou 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 strong response to his wine and the future prospects it created, Vasilis Hatziemmanouil quickly realized he had to renovate the winery 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 insufficient, prompting Vasili to gradually expand the family vineyard. In the meantime, he begins the proceedings needed to build a new winery equipped with modern machinery that can support the production of quality wines. In 2004, the new winery was completed, and a collaboration with the oenologist Yannis Flerianos began, while Joanna, Vasili’s wife, undertook the administration and communication of the business.

THE FIRST AWARD

Shortly after the winery's construction, the Hatziemmanouil family won its first award. Participating for the first time in Thessaloniki's International Wine & Spirits competition, the "Syrah" wine received 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 producing quality wines is finally recognized. The winery receives a gold award for the "Syrah" wine and a 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 participates in agricultural work, learns the secrets of winemaking, and attends enology classes. His sisters, Anastasia and Elena, are also close by to support their family's efforts.