Having grown up in a family environment where the preparation of tsipouro and wine was a ritual and at the same time the event of every year, I could not help but discover this place as the years passed. With the smell of aniseed deeply imprinted in my memory and the experience of pressing the grapes on the back of my grandfather’s farm car, I began to learn more.
In the prefecture of Magnesia is one of the most technologically advanced and with a long tradition since 1954, the wineries of the Apostolakis Family. With a wide variety of wines and tsipouro I wanted to get to know the people behind it. To find out myself through on-site research what all the production processes are that are followed until their products travel all over the world and reach from the wine cellars to the big super markets. With my partner we made our planned visit.
Who would have expected… Suddenly it was time to meet face to face the history of the place that was so harmoniously intertwined with today’s developments. Our personal “guide” and co-owner of the winery, Mr. Apostolos Apostolakis, was waiting for us there. With great appetite, for what he continues to do together with his cousin Mr. Dimitris Apostolakis, he guided us from the vineyards, the facilities to the bottling. Of course, he did not forget to share with us the history of the winery but also his own personal experiences. It is with great pleasure that I present to you the interview of Mr. Apostolos Apostolakis and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
How did you get involved with the winery? Is there a story behind this family?
We are the 2nd generation dealing with the subject. The company was created by my father and Dimitris’ father in 1954. It started as a trading company, they sold drinks in the beginning and in the process they built the business and dealt with the production of drinks.
So the grapes and vineyards came later?
Our fathers‘ work was mainly distillery and less winemaking. Regarding the vines, we bought land and planted them in 1997. We set up the vineyard, built our facilities and basically started operating from 2001 onwards.
Did you encounter any difficulties in your beginning?
There are always difficulties when you do such a job. Fortunately, however, we have been in this business for many years and there is a lot of experience. So in 2001 the part of the winery operated.
I would like you to tell me a few words about your products. What makes them special and why should I choose the Apostolakis family?
The company is a distillery – distillery – winery. Its most famous products are tsipouro that have to do with the part of the distillery – distillery. Our products stand out because we attach great importance to quality throughout the production process. Starting from the selection of the grape, its transportation, its processing to become marc until distillation.
What varieties do you use?
For tsipouro we use two varieties: our main variety is Muscat of Tyrnavos and Roditis. In our vineyard we have other varieties used in wines.
How many wine labels do you have?
We have two lines of wines: one comes from our vineyards and we call them “Ktima Apostolaki” and another wine we produce, which is called “TAURO“. It is a malagouzia (we do not cultivate it but we buy it) combined with assyrtiko. The second series comes from the grapes we buy to make tsipouro and is called “SENARIO“. A more economical series.
How did this year’s harvest go?
This year‘s harvest is late. We are long overdue, at least for our region, Thessaly. There were many problems with the weather in the areas (Damasi Tyrnavos) where we buy the grape for tsipouro. It had quite a hailstorm. A lot of damage and some diseases. In general, the year is difficult but I think the production will be good, although the quantity of grapes will be smaller. Of course, our vineyard was not affected at all, it had no diseases, simply because of the weather conditions it is late.
Was your business affected during the crisis?
The crisis did not affect us much. All these years the company has been moving upwards.
Can Greek wine producers make a difference?
Of course. If the administration is organized, keeping an eye on developments, it is not difficult to stand out. We, thank God, had foreseen some things and we had no problem.
Can you give us some tips for the proper preservation of tsipouro and wine?
Always the enemy of drinks is the sun and heat. In a cool environment without sun, the rest of the spirits have no problem. Because distillates do not evolve, distillates do not change. Wine, on the contrary, can spoil. Wine conservators also help. But if there are large quantities of wine then a cool and shady environment is needed. It is advisable to store the wine bottles on the side so that they do not take air from the cork. If we put them in this way then we prevent the air from getting inside and reduces the chances of spoiling.
Are there secrets in the harvest?
There are no secrets in the harvest. Secrets exist only in winemaking. Always follow the procedures you have to. We never carry our grapes in a cart but always in crates so that the grape does not suffer and you do not lose liquid. After that, we enter the process of winemaking, which is a whole science.
By Eleni Kapnia.
