About the Greek estate Lantides Estate

The  Lantides Estate , also known as  Ktima Lantides , is located in the Nemea region, in the heart of the Peloponnese, about thirty kilometers southwest of Corinth. Founded in  1993  by oenologist  Panikos Lantides , the estate has remained  family-owned  and independent.

Panikos Lantides was born in Morphou, Cyprus. In 1970, he left his island to study oenology in  Montpellier , then viticulture in  Bordeaux . He began his career in Greece as head winemaker in several major wineries, notably in Nemea, Attica and Mantinia.

But very quickly, he wanted to make wine according to his convictions. He started with a small plot in Attica, before returning to  Nemea , drawn by the climate and soils. He thus founded Lantides Estate in 1993. The first vine he planted was  Chardonnay  – a surprising but important choice for export. The following year, he added Agiorgitiko , which quickly became the estate's signature red wine. Other grape varieties followed, always with a clear objective:  to showcase the potential of Greek wines with rigor and precision .

Today, the estate has nearly  70 hectares of its own vineyards , and 20 hectares in collaboration with local growers.

Geography of the Lantides region

The estate is located in  Xerokampos , in the municipality of  Nemea , in the  northeastern Peloponnese , about  35 km southwest of Corinth . The red grape vines are planted on the Asprokampos hills , between  600 and 650 meters above sea level , in a secluded and naturally ventilated area. This altitude provides freshness, essential for preserving acidity and tension in the red wines. The white grapes are planted slightly lower down, in the  Skotini Valley , at  550 meters above sea level , in the neighboring Argolis region , known for its well-drained soils and more temperate climate.

The overall climate is  Mediterranean with continental influences  : plenty of sunshine, cool nights, and constant winds. The soils are primarily  clay-limestone , with some sandier areas. This complex terroir allows for the production of  fresh, balanced, and well-defined wines , both red and white.

The vines are cultivated at  altitudes between 550 and 650 meters , on hillsides exposed to wind and significant temperature variations. This natural freshness allows for the production of wines that are ripe, structured, and balanced. The estate focuses on  local grape varieties  such as Agiorgitiko ,  Xinomavro  , and  Moschofilero , but also works with  international varieties  like  Chardonnay ,  Cabernet Sauvignon  , and  Merlot , always in harmony with the terroir.

Production from the Lantides estate

The estate produces approximately  200,000 bottles per year . Approximately  50%  of the production is exported, mainly to the  United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Austria .

The vines are cultivated using  sustainable farming practices . The harvest is  done by hand , with rigorous sorting in the vineyard. Each grape variety is vinified separately, under conditions adapted to its specific profile. Reds such as Agiorgitiko , Xinomavro  ,  and  Cabernet Sauvignon  are often aged in oak barrels to refine their structure. Whites—  Chardonnay ,  Moschofilero ,  Asyrtiko , and  Malagouzia  —are crafted to preserve aromatic purity and freshness. The style is clear:  precise, straightforward, and balanced wines that respect the fruit and the terroir, without excessive oak influence.

Brief presentation of the Peloponnese PGI designation

The  Peloponnese  is a mountainous peninsula located in the far south of mainland Greece. It boasts more than  50 peaks exceeding 1,000 meters , interspersed with fertile valleys, plateaus, hills, and coastal plains. This rugged topography creates a  multitude of microclimates , highly favorable to viticulture.

Les zones viticoles les plus réputées, comme Nemea ou Mantinia, se situent en altitude, ce qui permet une bonne fraîcheur nocturne, essentielle pour la préservation de l’acidité et l’équilibre des vins. La proximité de la mer Égée ou du golfe de Corinthe apporte quant à elle des influences maritimes, qui limitent les excès de chaleur en été.

L’IGP Péloponnèse (ΠΓΕ Πελοπόννησος) quant à elle est l’une des indications les plus étendues et variées de Grèce. Créée en 1989, elle couvre toute la région du Péloponnèse, au sud de la Grèce continentale. Cette appellation regroupe sept unités régionales :

• Argolide
• Arcadie
• Achaïe
• Ilia
• Corinthie
• Laconie
• Messénie

C’est dans cette zone que l’on retrouve certains des cépages les plus emblématiques du pays, comme l’Agiorgitiko, le Moschofilero, ou encore le Roditis. Contrairement aux AOP, cette IGP permet plus de souplesse dans les assemblages et les pratiques. Elle est donc le terrain idéal pour les producteurs qui souhaitent innover.

L’IGP Péloponnèse autorise une grande variété de styles : vins blancs, rouges et rosés, allant du sec au doux, avec également des vins légèrement effervescents. La région se distingue par l’utilisation majoritaire de cépages autochtones, qui représentent environ 90 % de l’encépagement. Parmi eux : Agiorgitiko, Mavrodaphni, Moschofilero, Roditis, Assyrtiko, Kydonitsa, entre autres.

Les rouges sont vinifiés selon la méthode traditionnelle, avec fermentation à température contrôlée (max 20°C), pour préserver le fruit. Les blancs, eux, sont souvent travaillés avec des techniques modernes, donnant des vins vifs, floraux, fruités, adaptés à une consommation jeune mais aussi capables de vieillir.

L’IGP autorise également l’usage raisonné de cépages internationaux (Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon...), souvent en assemblage, permettant aux producteurs de créer des cuvées originales, tout en gardant une signature locale forte.

À propos de la parcelle pour ce vin rouge grec

This wine is rooted in two exceptional Greek terroirs. The first is located on the eastern slope of  Mount Asprokampos in Nemea , at an  altitude of 650 meters , where the vines benefit from perfectly drained clay-limestone soil   . The second vineyard is situated on the  Amyndeon plateau in the north of the country, in the Florina region, perched at  550 meters , bringing freshness and tension to the wine. It's a bold blend, but one that pays off in the bottle; your palate will agree.

Vinification of the Little Ark vintage from Lantides Estate

• Harvesting at optimal ripeness and manual selection of the grapes of the Xinomavro and Agiorgitiko varieties.
• Cold pre-fermentation maceration to extract aromas and color.
• Alcoholic fermentation under temperature control to preserve the fruit.
• Aged for  12 months in new oak barrels , for structure, complexity and woody notes.
• Final blending of the two grape varieties to balance roundness and liveliness.
• Bottled without excessive fining to preserve the authentic character of the wine.

Characteristics of this red wine from the Peloponnese

• Production region  : Southern Greece (Nemea, Peloponnese) and Northern Greece (Amyndeon, Florina)
• Soil type  : clay-limestone
• Grape varieties  : 50% Agiorgitiko, 50% Xinomavro
• Vineyard altitude  : 650 m (Asprokampos) and 550 m (Amyndeon)
• Alcohol content  : 14% vol.
• Estimated shelf life  : 5 to 10 years