Assyrtiko’s Journey: From Santorini to… Goumenissa!

When we hear the name of the "Assyrtiko" grape variety, our minds automatically travel to the volcanic soils of Santorini, the Cyclades, and the Aegean. What happens, though, when this top-tier, multi-faceted Greek grape finds a new home among the verdant hills of Macedonia?

The answer lies in Goumenissa, a region with a long winemaking tradition that is currently evolving into the country’s most promising up-and-coming wine zone, giving Assyrtiko a completely new, exciting dimension.

A History Lost in Time

The viticultural history of Goumenissa and the Slopes of Mount Paiko dates back to antiquity and the Byzantine era, reaching its golden age in the 19th century. Back then, the region's wines were so renowned that they were exported as far as France to blend with and enhance local French wines!

This flourishing era came to an abrupt halt in the early 20th century when the arrival of phylloxera wiped out most of the vineyards. The great comeback began in 1980, with the revival of the two indigenous red varieties that still make up the PDO Goumenissa wines today: Xinomavro and Negoska. At the same time, following the trends of the era, international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay were also planted.

Returning to Our Roots and the "Revelation" of Assyrtiko

Since the early 2000s, the wine industry recognized the unique value and competitive advantage of indigenous varieties, turning its focus toward crafting wines with a strong national identity. In this quest, Assyrtiko simply could not be left out.

Goumenissa—with its semi-continental climate (cold winters, dry summers with significant diurnal temperature shifts between day and night) and its clay-loam, semi-fertile soils—began shaping a new character for the variety:

• Until 2015: Assyrtiko from this region yielded wines with a distinctly fruity and crisp, high-acid character.
• Today: Driven by warmer climate conditions and the evolution of viticultural practices, the profile is shifting toward riper and more complex aromatic paths. The result? Wines with greater structure and complexity that still retain the variety’s iconic high acidity—the ultimate ticket to great aging potential.

Furthermore, the altitude of the vineyards (ranging from 150 to 450 meters) serves as a safe, natural "haven" against the challenges of climate change. The numbers speak for themselves: according to the Kilkis Directorate of Agriculture, out of the 3,980 stremmata (approx. 983 acres) of the Slopes of Paiko in 2023, 427.5 stremmata are now planted with Assyrtiko, proving its excellent adaptation to the local terroir.

KECHRIS Winery: Visionary Pioneers in Goumenissa

At KECHRIS Winery, we recognized the great potential of the region early on. We were among the very first to believe in Goumenissa's Assyrtiko, establishing our first 30-stremmata (7.4-acre) vineyard back in 2014. Today, our twelve years of experience and expertise with this variety give us a clear edge in its vinification.

Our privately-owned vineyards, now spanning a total of 100 stremmata (approx. 25 acres), are located in the village of Gerakonas (10 km from Goumenissa). They stretch amphitheatrically across slopes with an ideal inclination of 7% to 10% and excellent sun exposure, cultivated under the most modern and strict standards:

• High Density & Quality: With 360 to 480 vines per stremma and a large canopy, we limit the yield per vine, aiming for maximum ripening and the absolute best technological characteristics of the grapes.
• Sustainable Viticulture (AGRO 2.1-2.2): Since 2017, we have been the first winery in the region with certified integrated management. We completely abstain from the use of herbicides (glyphosate-free), apply organic and green manure, and manage irrigation using a nitrogen pressure chamber (mild water stress model) to ensure premium quality raw material.
• Precision Agriculture & Respect: We utilize drones with thermal imaging for early detection of wood diseases and apply biological control methods against the European grapevine moth (eudemis).

From Vineyard to Glass

The grape harvest is done exclusively by hand to ensure minimal bruising, and the vinification process begins just a few hours after picking.

Our sole mission at KECHRIS Winery is to keep evolving our wine at every single stage—from the vineyard to the bottle—and to showcase the countless, fascinating facets of Assyrtiko through the unique terroir of Goumenissa.