Kanakaris Winery

Kanakaris Winery is a family-run producer in Aigialeia, northwestern Peloponnese, Greece, founded by Michalis Kanakaris in 1979. What sets them apart is their focus on the region's distinctive high-altitude vineyards—with elevations ranging from 450 to 1,150 metres, where steep slopes, northern exposure, and proximity to the Corinthian Gulf create a cool growing environment rare in Greece. Today run by the third generation, brothers Stefanos and Michalis have expanded the range while staying true to the indigenous Greek varieties that define the estate's identity.

About Kanakaris Winery

Aigialeia sits against the rugged Panachaiko mountains in one of Greece's most distinctive wine regions. Kanakaris works 55 hectares of vines interspersed with orchards yielding olives and citrus fruits, positioned on either side of valleys and gorges where five rivers flow down from the mountains to the Corinthian Gulf. The soil comprises sandy red and white clay—ideal for the indigenous varieties Roditis, Sideritis and Mavro Kalavrytino that formed the original focus of Michalis' winery. The brothers have extended this palette to include Malagousia, Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko, alongside Merlot and Syrah. Picking occurs by hand across their vineyard parcels, with the harvest then processed and unified within their state-of-the-art facility—recently modernised with stainless-steel tanks engineered to preserve the aromatic character of Greece's indigenous varieties. Their Malagousia comes from a clone local to Aigialeia's highest slopes, delivering tropical fruits, herbs and citrus with distinctive botanical aromatics that differ markedly from clones grown elsewhere in Greece. This wine receives six months ageing in second or third-fill oak barrels to soften its natural tannins.

Kanakaris Winery Wines in Our Collection

The 2025 Malagousia, High Altitude Vines (91 points) is the flagship white—a green and flinty expression of fruit grown above 1,000 metres, showcasing the Aigialeia clone's tropical and herbal profile. For a textured, dry white with real grip, the 2025 NOTOS Roditis (90 points) and 2023 NOTOS Retsina (90 points) both deliver the nutty, mineral character that made Roditis a cornerstone of the estate. Both score 3.8 on Vivino. On the red side, the 2024 and 2023 Agiorgitiko, Select Vines (90 points each, 3.7 Vivino) represent Kanakaris' oak-aged exploration of Nemea fruit—savoury, classically styled, with softened tannins that make them approachable now but capable of development. These are wines that reveal place and winemaking intent rather than oak dominance, making them ideal for discovering what Aigialeia and Nemea terroir actually taste like.

Food Pairing

The Roditis and Retsina wines pair beautifully with Greek meze, feta, brined olives, grilled octopus and white fish dressed with lemon. The Malagousia's herbal notes work well with goat cheese, herb-crusted lamb, and seafood risotto. The Agiorgitiko's savoury profile complements slow-cooked lamb stews, aged cheese boards, and grilled meat with herbs and garlic.

What makes Aigialeia different from other Greek wine regions?

High elevations (450–1,150m), steep northern-facing slopes, and proximity to the Corinthian Gulf create cool growing conditions that moderate temperatures—rare in Greece and ideal for indigenous varieties like Roditis and Agiorgitiko.

Are Kanakaris wines organic or biodynamic?

The sources do not specify organic or biodynamic certification for Kanakaris. The winery focuses on hand-harvesting and modern vinification to capture terroir and varietal character.

Why is Kanakaris' Malagousia different from other Greek Malagousia wines?

Kanakaris uses a clone local to Aigialeia's high slopes, producing tropical fruits, herbs and citrus with distinctive botanical aromatics that differ from clones grown in northern or southern Greece.

Who makes Kanakaris Winery wines?

Kanakaris is a family-run winery in Aigialeia, northwestern Peloponnese, Greece, founded by Michalis Kanakaris in 1979. Today brothers Stefanos and Michalis, the third generation, run the estate and have expanded the range while maintaining focus on indigenous Greek varieties.

What style of wine does Kanakaris make?

Kanakaris focuses on indigenous Greek varieties—Roditis, Retsina, and Agiorgitiko—plus Malagousia, Moschofilero, Merlot and Syrah. Their whites are dry and flinty; reds are savoury and classically styled. The 2025 Malagousia scores 91 points, showcasing tropical fruit and herbs from high-altitude vines.

How much does Kanakaris wine cost?

Kanakaris wines range between £9.75 and £16.30. Entry-level NOTOS whites and reds sit around £10, while premium high-altitude and select vineyard expressions cost £16–£16.30.