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

Le domaine est situé à Xerokampos, sur la commune de Nemea, dans le nord-est du Péloponnèse, à environ 35 km au sud-ouest de Corinthe. Les vignes rouges se trouvent sur les hauteurs d’Asprokampos, entre 600 et 650 mètres d’altitude, dans une zone isolée et naturellement ventilée. Cette altitude apporte de la fraîcheur, essentielle pour préserver l’acidité et la tension dans les vins rouges. Les blancs sont plantés un peu plus bas, dans la vallée de Skotini, à 550 mètres d’altitude, dans la région voisine de l’Argolide, connue pour ses sols bien drainés et son climat plus tempéré.

Le climat général est de type méditerranéen avec influence continentale : beaucoup de soleil, des nuits fraîches, et des vents constants. Les sols sont principalement argilo-calcaires, avec quelques zones plus sableuses. Ce terroir complexe permet d’obtenir des vins frais, équilibrés, et bien définis, aussi bien en rouge qu’en blanc.

Les vignes sont cultivées entre 550 et 650 mètres d’altitude, sur des coteaux exposés au vent et à de fortes amplitudes thermiques. Cette fraîcheur naturelle permet de produire des vins à la fois mûrs, droits et équilibrés. Le domaine s’appuie sur des cépages locaux comme l’Agiorgitiko, le Xinomavro ou le Moschofilero, mais travaille aussi des cépages internationaux comme le Chardonnay, le Cabernet Sauvignon ou le Merlot, toujours en lien avec le terroir.

Production du domaine Lantides

Le domaine produit environ 200 000 bouteilles par an. Environ 50 % de la production est exportée, principalement vers les États-Unis, le Canada, le Royaume-Uni, la Belgique, l’Allemagne, la Suisse et l’Autriche.

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.

The most renowned wine-growing regions, such as  Nemea  and  Mantinia , are located at high altitudes, which provide  welcome nighttime coolness , essential for preserving the acidity and balance of the wines. Proximity to the Aegean Sea or the Gulf of Corinth brings  maritime influences that mitigate excessive summer heat.

The Peloponnese PGI  (ΠΓΕ Πελοπόννησος)  is one of the most extensive and varied designations in Greece. Created in  1989 , it covers the entire Peloponnese region in southern mainland Greece. This designation encompasses  seven regional units  :

• Argolid
• Arcadia
• Achaea
• Ilia
• Corinthia
• Laconia
• Messenia

This area is home to some of the country's most iconic grape varieties, such as  Agiorgitiko ,  Moschofilero , and  Roditis . Unlike PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin), this PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) allows for greater flexibility in blending and practices, making it ideal for producers looking to innovate.

The Peloponnese IGP allows for a  wide variety of styles  : white, red, and rosé wines, ranging from dry to sweet, including lightly sparkling wines. The region is distinguished by the predominant use of  indigenous grape varieties , which represent approximately  90% of the vineyards . These include Agiorgitiko, Mavrodaphni, Moschofilero, Roditis, Assyrtiko, and Kydonitsa, among others.

The reds are vinified using the  traditional method , with fermentation at controlled temperatures (max 20°C) to preserve the fruit. The whites, on the other hand, are often made using modern techniques, resulting in  lively, floral, and fruity wines , suitable for drinking young but also capable of aging.

The IGP also allows the reasoned use of  international grape varieties  (Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon...), often in blends, allowing producers to create original cuvées, while maintaining a  strong local signature .

About the plot for this Greek red wine

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