"by Merve Nejva INCELER

Hello Everyone!

You may already have some information about me (if not you can learn by clicking here)

My dearest friend, κουμπαρά μου, shared this idea and opportunity with me, and I am incredibly grateful and excited about it.

I've been living in Greece since 2018. As a wine enthusiast, my curiosity about the local vineyards has continued to grow, just as it did when I was living in Turkey.

Recently, a few friends and I decided to start visiting vineyards one by one, beginning with one of the largest estates in Greece, Semeli Estate, on June 8th.

I'll share some of the insights I gained during our visit to Semeli Estate. If you decide to visit Semeli as well, feel free to reach out to me directly via email.

Let's begin!

• Purpose of visit: Nemea Reagion, Semeli Estate, tasting and critics

• Location: Semeli Estate | Κτήμα Σεμέλη, Epar.Od. Kiatou - Nemeas,

  Koutsi 205 00

• Participants: A group of wine enthusiasts

ABOUT THE ESTATE

Semeli Estate was founded in 1979 by a group of wine enthusiasts and visionaries who aimed to produce premium wines that showcase the unique characteristics of Greek grape varieties and the country's rich winemaking traditions. The name "Semeli" was inspired by Semele, the mother of Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, symbolizing the estate's deep connection to the cultural and historical heritage of winemaking in Greece.

Semeli Estate has grown to become one of Greece's leading wineries, known for its innovation, quality, and respect for traditional winemaking techniques. The estate is situated in the Nemea region, one of Greece's most celebrated wine-producing areas, particularly famous for the Agiorgitiko grape variety.

Semeli Estate has invested in modern technology and sustainable practices while maintaining a strong commitment to the environment and the local community. The winery's vineyards are located at high altitudes, which, combined with the favorable climate, contribute to the production of wines with distinct character and elegance.

The vineyards are located at altitudes ranging from 600 to 900 meters above sea level, approximately 120 hectares, mainly in the regions of Nemea and Mantinia. These areas are well-known for their exceptional conditions for viticulture, including a favorable climate, soil composition, and altitude, which contribute to the production of high-quality grapes.

Greek Varieties

• Agiorgitiko: I want to share a detail in here because Agiorgitiko is the flagship grape of the Nemea region, where Semeli is located.

• Moschofilero: white grape variety grown primarily in the Mantinia region. I can honestly say that this variety is one of my favorites.

  
  

International Varieties

• Chardonnay

• Sauvignon blanc

• Syrah

Producing Process

Semeli Estate benefits from a Mediterranean climate. Characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, which together create an environment ideal for viticulture. The soil composition at Semeli Estate is equally influential in the quality of its wines. The vineyards are primarily planted on calcareous soils rich in limestone, known for their excellent drainage and mineral content. These soils are ideal for vine health and contribute to the wines' higher acidity and distinct minerality. In areas where the soil is a mixture of clay and limestone, the moisture-retaining properties of clay are particularly beneficial during the dry summer months, helping to maintain steady vine growth and concentrating the flavors within the grapes. Some parts of the estate also feature rocky and stony soils, which enhance drainage and retain heat, further aiding the ripening of grapes, especially the red varieties like Agiorgitiko.

The most joyful time of the year is Harvest Season, harvest takes place between late August and early October, depending on the grape variety and the specific microclimate of the vineyard. Different grape varieties ripen at different times. For example, early-ripening white varieties like Moschofilero are usually harvested first, followed by Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The red varieties, such as Agiorgitiko and Syrah, tend to be harvested later, as they require more time to fully develop their flavors and tannins.

They follow two different harvesting method; hand harvesting and selective harvesting. After harvesting, the grapes are quickly transported to the winery in small crates to prevent crushing and oxidation. Once at the winery, the grapes are carefully sorted to remove any remaining stems, leaves, or damaged fruit, ensuring that only the highest quality grapes are used in the winemaking process.

Production Facility

Semeli Estate produces red, white, rosé, and semi-sweet wines. Winemaking technology and traditional practices are harmoniously integrated to produce wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the estate’s terroir.

Fermentation at Semeli Estate is conducted in temperature-controlled tanks. This control is crucial for maintaining the fresh and delicate aromas of the grapes while managing the extraction of tannins and color from the skins. The estate utilizes both stainless steel and concrete fermentation tanks.

For aging, they use a combination of new and used oak barrels, including both French and American oak. The choice of barrels impacts the wine’s complexity, adding notes of toast, vanilla, and spice, while older barrels contribute subtler nuances. Some wines, particularly whites and lighter reds, are aged in concrete or stainless steel tanks to preserve their freshness and fruit purity.

The bottling process is handled with modern equipment to ensure stability and prevent contamination, including the use of inert gas to avoid oxidation and preserve the wine’s freshness.

One of the strengths of Semeli Estate is its commitment to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly practices such as water conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction, reflecting its dedication to environmental responsibility. The blend of modern technology and traditional methods ensures that Semeli Estate’s wines are both innovative and a true expression of their unique terroir.

Wines

Let’s continue with the wines that we tasted.

We tasted 6 different wines called Mantinia – Moschofilero, Thea Mantinia, Aetheria, Oreinos Helios Rose, Nemea Reserve and Spondee

Mantinia – Moschofilero

• Appearance: Bright, clean

• Nose: Lime, green tea, grapefruit, floral notes, rose,

• Taste: Balanced, dry, short bodies, floral finish

• Overall Impression: As I mentioned before, moschofilero one of my favorite white variety in Greece and I believe that it’s difficult to find the bad one. It has a floral notes like jasmine, honeysuckle flower, rose, it is a kind of dance on your nose and I never want it ends. It can be aged 1-2 years according to estate and the serving temperature is 9C

Thea Mantinia

• Appearance: Bright yellow, blonde color

• Aroma: Mango, peach, honeysuckle flower, after it met with air it changes a bit roasted smell

• Overall Impression: %100 Moschofilero and we can age it 4-5 years. Maturation; 4 months in the stainless steel tank and 2 months in acacia barrel. Serving temperature is 10-12C.

Aetheria

• Appearance: Lemonish color

• Nose: Nectar, green apple, pineapple

• Palate: T/ropical fruits

• Taste: Balanced

• Overall Impression: %80 Malagouzia, %20 Chardonnay. 3 months tank maturation. We can age it 1-2 years. Serving temperature is 10C.

Oreinos Helios Rose

• Appearance: Salmon pink

• Nose: Caramelize sweet pepper, passion fruit, cherry

• Palate: Sour cherry

• Overall Impression: %100 Agiorgitiko. They mentioned that they use traditional rose vinification with 6 hr cold maceration, fermentation at low temperature for 3 months.

Nemea Reserve

• Appearance: Deep ruby

• Aroma: Earthy, cinnamon, tobacco, cherry

• Taste: Medium bodied, totally cherry, smoke – such an amazing wine

• Overall Impression: This one—I fell in love with it instantly. It was like velvet on my palate. But I hadn't yet tasted the next one.  The last two wines I tried simply took my breath away. These are the kinds of wines I could drink anytime.

Spondee

• Appearance: Bright ruby but you can see some purples in it

• Nose: Smoked, forest fruits, blackcurrant jar

• Palate: Sour cherry, chocolate, vanilla.

• Overall Impression: %40 Syrah, %40 Merlot, %20 Cabernet Sauvignon. Maturation for 12 months in new 225lt French oak barrels. Unfiltered bottling and further ageing in the bottle for 24 months. Can be aged for 8-10 years. Serving temperature is 16C. Apparently, it's a dangerous one because it's so delicious—you just want to keep drinking! But keep in mind, it has 14% alcohol content, so enjoy responsibly.

Finally, Semeli Estate is one of the largest and most well-organized wineries in Greece, located in the Nemea region. My favorite whites were Thea Mantinia and Aetheria, while the reds I enjoyed most were Nemea Reserve and Spondee. Additionally, we purchased a bottle of Nemea Grand Reserve, and I’m eagerly waiting for the perfect day to open it.

The winery is open for visits almost every month, but it’s better to book a reservation in advance, as spots may not be available if you go without one. I would like to personally thank the Kokotos Family, who founded the winery in 1979, as well as every single person who helped us taste and appreciate their drinkable art.

More info about the winery:

https://www.semeliestate.gr/