Giannikos Winery At Sea 2022

Region and Vineyards

“At Sea” is produced by Giannikos Winery, an estate based in Korinthos, Peloponnese, known for its commitment to organic viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking. The estate cultivates vineyards at altitude, benefiting from cooling sea breezes and significant diurnal temperature variation, which promotes slow, balanced grape ripening.

The wine reflects the regional character of southern Greece—sunny, dry, and maritime—with a style that’s clean and fruit-forward. Although the precise vineyard and grape sourcing for this cuvée are not detailed in the available material, the wine’s name and character suggest a coastal influence and freshness associated with proximity to the sea.

Winemaking

While the technical sheet does not specify the grape varieties used, Giannikos Winery is known for working with both indigenous Greek and international varieties, all organically farmed. The style of "At Sea" leans toward crispness and aromatic brightness, implying cool fermentation in stainless steel to preserve freshness.

Given the producer’s organic philosophy, it's likely the wine is vinified with minimal additives, potentially even wild yeast fermentation. The result is a clean, expressive white designed for immediate enjoyment.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with green glints.
• Aroma: Lifted notes of citrus, white flowers, and stone fruit, with hints of saline breeze.
• Palate: Light to medium-bodied, with zippy acidity, peach and lemon zest flavors, and a minerally, maritime finish.

Did you know?

The name “At Sea” is a poetic reference to Greek island life and sailing culture. It embodies the freedom and openness of the Aegean—fresh, breezy, and unbound. It also mirrors Giannikos Winery’s values: crafting wines that reflect nature’s rhythm and purity.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled calamari with lemon and olive oil: Mirrors the wine’s freshness and salinity.
• Feta and watermelon salad: The wine’s citrus lift cuts through the richness of the cheese and balances the sweetness of the fruit.
• Saganaki prawns in tomato and ouzo sauce: A classic Greek seafood dish enhanced by the wine’s acidity and floral notes.
• Pasta with zucchini and mint: A light, herbaceous match with shared freshness.

History of Giannikos Winery

The story of Giannikos Winery begins in 1896, the year of the first modern Olympic Games—and the same year the Giannikos family planted their first vines in the ancient soils of Mycenae, one of the oldest viticultural areas in Europe.

A century later, in 1996, a fire devastated the original estate buildings. However, driven by family legacy and vision, Michalis Giannikos rebuilt the winery in Ancient Corinth, expanded the vineyards, and committed fully to organic viticulture—making him one of the first in Greece to adopt this philosophy.

By 2009, Giannikos wines were being exported internationally. In 2012, the estate received its first international gold and silver medals. Since then, its wines have garnered multiple awards and growing global recognition.

Region and Vineyards

Giannikos Winery cultivates 8 hectares of vineyards across two key locations: Corinth and Mycenae. Both areas benefit from Mediterranean sunshine, cool sea breezes, and excellent drainage, ideal for producing expressive, fresh wines.

The vineyards are certified organic, and all work—from pruning to harvest—is done by hand. Soils are varied, and altitudes provide ideal conditions for slow, balanced ripening.

The estate honors Greek viticultural heritage by cultivating native varieties such as:

• Roditis – crisp and mineral-driven
• Agiorgitiko – the noble red of Nemea
• Malagouzia – aromatic and floral

Alongside these, Giannikos also vinifies international varieties such as Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Viognier, sourced from top French clones and adapted to the Greek terroir.

Wine Range of Giannikos Winery

Giannikos produces a diverse portfolio of single-varietal and blended wines, all organic and expressive:

• At Sea – crisp white with maritime freshness
• Windmill – a floral, citrusy Roditis
• Retsina – a clean, modern take on Greece’s most historic wine
• Swan Rosé – delicate Agiorgitiko rosé with aromatic finesse
• Lion Agiorgitiko​ & Prince – structured, fruit-driven reds
• Eclipse & Trojan Horse – premium cuvées with aging potential
• Late Harvest Viognier – dessert wine with exotic fruit character

Did you know?

The Giannikos vineyards lie near Mycenae, an ancient civilization considered the cradle of Greek winemaking—active for more than 4,000 years. Their wines are a continuation of this deep-rooted viticultural lineage.