Retsina: A Timeless Tradition at the Heart of Kontoyianni Family Winery

For centuries, the people of Attica and later, all of Greece have cherished the secret of Retsina, a wine that captures the essence of ancient winemaking. This distinctive style dates back thousands of years, to a time when Greek winemakers used pine resin to seal amphorae, the clay vessels for storing and transporting wine. The resin’s role was initially practical: it kept air from spoiling the wine. But over time, the subtle pine aroma and flavor it imparted became a beloved characteristic, adding a new dimension to the wine itself.

Today, this tradition lives on in Retsina, where grape must is still blended with carefully selected pine resin to create a uniquely aromatic wine. This pairing of resin and the Savatiano grape, Retsina’s preferred varietal, adds layers of depth and complexity, highlighting rather than masking the grape’s delicate flavors. Each sip extends into a beautifully long, unmistakably Greek finish, honoring the tradition while celebrating the artistry of winemaking.

At Kontoyianni Family Winery, Retsina has been crafted with dedication and pride for over half a century. Each generation inherits the closely held secrets of its production, preserving the quality of Greece’s most iconic appellation. Using only the finest Savatiano grapes from the selected vines of Markopoulo, Kontoyianni Family Winery combines tradition with the latest winemaking techniques to produce an exceptional, dry white wine with a character all its own.

On the nose, Retsina greets you with aromas of white fruit, delicately complemented by subtle resin notes. On the palate, the fruit-forward flavors shine, balancing the resin’s earthy robustness to create a wine that finishes with remarkable length and depth. 

Each glass of Kontoyianni Family Winery’s Retsina is a journey through Greece’s winemaking history, offering a taste of a tradition that lives on with every bottle. 

Pairing Retsina with Greek Cuisine

Pairing food with Retsina’s distinct pine resin notes can be a delightful challenge, but one that rewards with a unique harmony of flavors. The clean, herbal qualities of Retsina create a refreshing contrast to rich, oil and garlic-heavy dishes, cleansing the palate with every sip. Classic Greek dishes like Tiropita, savory pastries stuffed with feta cheese and Dolmades, vine leaves filled with herbed rice, pair exceptionally well with this wine, as its light green notes bring out the freshness in these ingredients.

Distinctions:

International Wine Challenge - London

• Silver in 2007 for KontoYianni Retsina, among the top five Greek wines of 37 labels that were awarded medals and 9300 labels that contested in 2007 worldwide.

International Wine & Spirit Competition - London

• Bronze for Kontoyianni Retsina in 2007 in one of the oldest and distinguished competitions supported by the likes of Rothchild, Antinori, Mondavi etc.

Decanter World Wine Awards - London

• Kontoyianni Retsina was awarded Bronze in 2007, the first time that a resinated wine gains 3 international awards outside Greece and Gold within it's country of origin.

Thessaloniki International Wine Competition

• Kontoyianni Retsina was awarded Gold in 2007, the only gold medal awarded to a resinated wine in 35th place out of 200 awarded wines and 670 contesting labels.

Ready to try a glass of Retsina for yourself? Visit Kontoyianni Family Winery to bring home a bottle of this unique Greek classic. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or pairing it with a special meal, each sip brings a piece of Greece’s winemaking heritage. Cheers to new experiences and timeless traditions!