To close that part of the trip concerning vine and wine, we thank God for the courage
and strength he gave us in order to stand against many big and small difficulties and
to be currently able to continue what the previous generations entrusted us:
“Kosmas”, its cultivation and wine processing of its grapes.
George BALATSOURAS
Winegrower
Dorian Wine
Since 2004, we produce the Dorian Wine at Balatsoura’s vineyards. It concerns of a
unique wine with history going back to many centuries. Moreover, since the specific
variety “Kosmas” is not cultivated or wine processed by other winegrowers, our
responsibility is even bigger.
Products
We feel an obligation toward everyone that maintained its age-old course and
everyone that tasted and enjoyed it. Toward the people that entrusted it for their
moments of joy or sorrow; toward those that drank it as a reward after the heavy day
at work; toward the shepherd who relaxed with its aroma and taste and toward the
peasant of the rocky mountain land.
Therefore we must accent its singular identity.
The Environment
In the 90s, the vines of Koniakos, the last village that had an organized vineyard at the
mountain area of Dorida after the 60s, which provided wine the villages of the area,
was history….
VINE VINEYARD
The area at the south end of Pindos, around the mountain area of Vardousia, was
inhabited since ancient years.
It is a mountains area, a poor and difficult place to live.
Vine cultivation and wine production never lacked, something very common in any
corner of the Greece. The variety was naturalized through the ages at this area, and
gave a bright red wine, named “kosmas” or “kosmadi”. Until the 60s all vineyards
existed, but unfortunately until the 90s they completely abandoned.
We saved the variety and reestablished it. In our days, kosmas is cultivated only in
our land.
Our vineyard is located at a primeval place free of environmental impacts, in
grasslands with wild flowers and the forest. Every year we take care of our land with
love.
Virgin Environment
I was lucky to be born in a small village, Koniakos in Dorida. It is a mountain land, difficult with many hidden beauties…. Until that time all the families had vines. All the residents were farmers and cattle-breeders and together with their other occupations, they had a vine, sina qua non. Everyone should have its own vine and produce its own wine.
Kosmas
A variety with history
UNIQUE VARIETY
Let us see what the Dorian (from Artotina) Folklorist Dim. Loukopoulos writes in hisbook “Agricultural habits of Roumeli” in 1937: “There is no village in Roumeliwithout a vine. Many people tell you straight out: I can live without bread, but notwithout wine. That is why they all cultivate vines. They use to plant many varieties,but the most common are: Kosmas or kosmadia that flourish at mountain areas. Itsgrapes are dark black. They are tight, with hard rind, sweet and very tasty, perfectboth for consumption and wine. Kosmas’ variety is also stavrokosmas orstavrokosmadi. Those grapes are made by bunches that are crossed. Looking upwardsthey look like a capital T”.
In 2017, upon my request, was officially acknowledged and identified by thecompetent Agriculturists that is the only vine where the specific variety is currentlycultivated, which is – as many other indigenous but forgotten varieties – keeps manybeautiful secrets to reveal.
“It was when the idea of creating a vineyard arose. To grow a vine in our place oforigin and to continue the tradition going back thousands of years and to contribute asmuch as we can to the continuance of this wonderful culture, of vineyard and wine.”
VISIT US
We look forward to welcome you and to show you our Balatsoura’s vineyard in Koniakos Fokidas.
Contact us: 6948376624 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For orders and details about the delivery of our products to your location, you can call us or send us an e-mail;
Telephone: 6948376624 – Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CONTACT US
Location: Koniakos Fokidas
Telephone: (+30)6948376624
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.