As a modern family business, the “Kechris” Winery has as its main strategic goal the redefining of the quality limits of retsina and the promotion of this rare category of Greek wine, into a world-class product. Stelios Kechris, together with his wife Dina Kechris and their daughter Zoe Kechris, continue the century-old tradition of producing quality wine, having as guides in the creative path of all these years, the same constant values: commitment to quality, passion for innovation and respect for tradition.

Having emphasized the most traditional type of Greek wine, retsina, it has created wines for the quality of which it is distinguished. Its products highlight the qualitative potential of retsina and offer enjoyment and a unique experience to older and new generations of wine lovers, essentially contributing to the upgrading of the image of Greek wine in general, in Greece and abroad!

It is the only Winery in Greece that conducts systematic scientific research and experimentation on the production of retsina, in collaboration with institutions such as the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

In addition to specializing in the production of retsina, the Kechris Winery also aims to highlight the special character of the indigenous varieties and the qualitative potential of the Macedonian vineyard. In the winery’s privately owned vineyards, located in the Goumenissa region, one of the most distinguished wine-growing regions of Northern Greece, emphasis is placed on the cultivation of Greek varieties, with the main ones being Assyrtiko and Roditis for whites and Xinomavro for reds. In these vineyards, cultivation is carried out according to the principles of integrated management, which is certified according to Agro 2-1 and 2-2. The aim is to have absolute control over the quality of the raw material, which will be used to produce wines of correspondingly high quality.

Today, the “Kechris” Winery produces 12 different labels, exporting 30% of its production to 31 countries around the world. In order to meet the increased demand, it has expanded its facilities by creating a new production and storage wing.

Investing in retsina

Retsina is an important asset for the wine industry of our country, because Greece is the only one that has the right to produce it. This is a very strong competitive advantage for the national economy.

From 1939, when the retsina “Kechribari” was born in the traditional family tavern “Kokoras”, until today, when “Tear of the Pine” conquered the top of the world, winning the highest distinction “Best in Show” at the largest world wine competition “Decanter World Wine Awards” – it received a score of 97/100 among 18,143 samples – the “Kechris” Winery is the most important representative of this valuable product.

The company was founded as a distillery – winery “Bros. E. Kechris” in 1954, in Kalochori, Thessaloniki, by the four Kechris brothers, began exporting to Germany in 1974, created the first traditional liqueurs “Doriki” in 1984 (two years later, they were awarded a gold medal at the international SIAL Paris exhibition) and passed into the hands of Stelios and Konstantina Kechris, in 1989. It was one of the founding members of the Association of Wine Producers of the Vineyard of Macedonia, the current association “Winers of Northern Greece”.

Launching retsina to the top!

In 1998, “Kechribari” was released in the redesigned decanter with the cork and in 1999 it became the first retsina to be internationally recognized as a modern, quality white wine, at the International Wine Competition of Thessaloniki. This was followed by “Tear of the Pine”, which in 2006 was awarded the Grand Gold Medal at the Thessaloniki International Wine Competition, while since 2015, when the rebranding of the company and its products was completed, retsina has been placed at the heart of the corporate brand and “Kechribari”, the product that has long been synonymous with quality, has given shape to the company’s logo, symbolizing this bold strategic choice.

In 2016, the “10 years of Tear of the Pine” anniversary was celebrated, with a vertical tasting of the first retsina, which is aging under the guidance of master of wine Konstantinos Lazarakis. In the same year, “Afros”, the winery’s fourth retsina, made its debut in experimental bottling.

In 2017, the construction work of the new winery facilities was completed and inaugurated with the event “Kechribari, the pioneering retsina” dedicated to 20 years of decanting, while in 2018, the Winery organized and hosted the first interdisciplinary symposium on retsina where, for the first time, scientists from different disciplines shared knowledge and opinions about the history and culture of retsina.

This year, the “Tear of the Pine” 2022 stood out in the largest global wine competition!

Four top products

Wine and food are two pleasures that, when combined correctly, create a unique experience, and at the “Kechris” Winery, they know this well! The Kechris family operates around a basic philosophy, that of the unerring rule, that the cuisine and food of a specific place goes wonderfully with the wines that that place itself has created. So when we talk about classic dishes of Greek cuisine, there is no better combination than the traditional type of Greek wine, retsina.

The result of the continuous research of the “Kechris” Winery is the creation of four different wines, in the “Retsina Traditional Designation” category, which highlight the qualitative potential of retsina and offer enjoyment and a unique experience.

The four retsinas of the Winery highlight different aromas and flavors and can be combined perfectly with different meals.

Reflecting Stelios Kechris’ vision for retsina, “Kechribari” combines the highest quality winemaking methods with long-standing family tradition. This is the modern approach to a product with a history of millennia. A wine with authentic character. Retsina for those who know how to enjoy it! It goes perfectly with seafood, dishes cooked in olive oil, fish, fried foods, feta, gutted and salted and all the classic Greek small dishes (mezes).

“Afros” is an innovative retsina, which began with traditional feasts. In the past, alcoholic fermentation took place in barrels that were unsealed on October 26, the feast day of the Patron Saint of Thessaloniki, Saint Demetrius, with the wine being distinguished by its sparkling character. The “Kechris” winery, inspired by this tradition, created the “Afros” retsina, which flexibly accompanies savory appetizers, seafood, small fish, roe, as well as dishes from Lebanese to Japanese cuisine.

“Rosa”, balancing between the exuberant aroma of Xinomavro and the freshness of the selected retsina, is a rare wine, which goes deliciously with grilled mushrooms, seafood, smoked salmon plain or with pasta, red meat, fish, lamb in the pot or on the spit, eggplants.

Finally, the fruit of a creative path and years of research, “Tear of the Pine” was born out of the passion for exploring the limits of retsina. It is the wine that placed retsina alongside the highest quality creations of the world’s vineyards, a wine with impressive aging potential, which ideally accompanies fatty fish, grilled fish, seafood, cooked or grilled white meats, smoked pork, lamb with rosemary, white cheeses.

Attracting global interest

In addition to specializing in the production of retsina, the “Kechris” winery also aims to highlight the special character of the indigenous varieties and the quality potential of the Macedonian vineyard. The high quality and typical character of the winery’s wines have attracted the interest of both wine lovers and wine experts, who have rewarded them with more than 250 awards in all the leading international wine competitions – with 150 of these awards being given to the winery’s retsinas, which are among the most awarded wines in Greece.

In addition to the awards, the winery’s retsinas have also received significant publicity, as very important articles in leading international media have partially or fully featured the winery’s retsinas. At the same time, important personalities in the wine industry, important journalists, Masters of Wine, and Master Sommeliers from the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, etc. have visited the facilities and vineyards of the “Kechris” winery, tasting the wines, understanding the production process of retsina and the philosophy of the winery and living the experience of retsina, in the place where it was born.

Investing in Wine Tourism and Education

Having entered a new phase of development, the “Kechris” Winery gives professionals, journalists and wine lovers the opportunity to get to know its wines, in the place where they are produced.

Emphasis is placed on education and interaction, always aiming to create a unique experience, which will combine enjoyment with the acquisition of valuable knowledge about retsina and Greek varieties. The educational program “Retsina Masterclass” is unique in its kind and is carried out by the specialized team of oenologists of the Winery.

Participants will live an unprecedented experience and will be introduced to the secrets of retsina production, tasting four different types.

Furthermore, as a member of the “Wine Routes of Northern Greece” the Winery offers guided tours of the production areas and tasting of 10 different wines and two traditional liqueurs, in specially designed rooms, while participating in all major wine exhibitions and events, both in Thessaloniki and Athens.