Petrakopoulos

Petrakopoulos Winery is a boutique estate based in Thiramonas, Kefalonia, renowned for its dedication to indigenous grape varieties, low-intervention winemaking, and the revival of forgotten terroirs on the Ionian island.

History of Petrakopoulos Winery

The winery was founded by Vasilis Petrakopoulos, a passionate advocate for Kefalonia’s viticultural heritage. Although the estate is relatively young in its current form, it stands on the legacy of a century-old family tradition in vine growing. Since its inception, Petrakopoulos Winery has set itself apart by focusing exclusively on limited-production wines made from native Kefalonian varieties, some of which were nearly lost to history.

Guided by a philosophy that respects both nature and tradition, the estate implements organic and biodynamic principles, working without synthetic chemicals and allowing natural yeasts and minimal handling in the cellar. This vision is shared by oenologist Christos Kokkalis, whose precise, terroir-driven approach has become a signature of the winery.

Petrakopoulos is now widely regarded as one of Greece’s finest artisan producers, with wines regularly awarded on the international stage for their purity, expression, and originality.

Region and Vineyards

Located in Thiramonas, in the southern part of Kefalonia, the estate is surrounded by a mosaic of microclimates, shaped by the slopes of Mount Aenos, the Ionian Sea, and the island’s complex geological formations. Vineyards are cultivated between 350 and 620 meters altitude, on limestone, clay, and rocky soils, often without irrigation.

The estate works with carefully selected parcels across the PGI Slopes of Aenos and PDO Robola of Kefalonia zones. Most vineyards are co-planted with multiple native varieties, such as Robola, Vostilidi, Tsaousi, Muscat, and Mavrodaphne, according to ancient traditions. Yields are kept extremely low, and farming is performed entirely by hand, with meticulous attention to detail.

This combination of altitude, limestone, and maritime influence results in wines of remarkable salinity, structure, and aromatic clarity.

Wine Range of Petrakopoulos Winery

The estate’s range reflects a deep commitment to terroir and authenticity, with each cuvée expressing a specific vineyard and varietal identity. Notable wines include:

• Palia Armakia Robola – A single-vineyard PDO white with tension, depth, and aging potential.
• Lefko – A traditional co-fermentation of Vostilidi, Tsaousi, and Muscat, fresh and textured.
• Mavro – A dry, unfiltered red made from 100% Mavrodaphne, redefining the variety in a savory, mineral style.
• Melissinos and Old Vine Robola – Rare bottlings highlighting ancient vines and exceptional parcels.

Each wine is produced in limited quantities, bottled unfined and unfiltered, and aged to reflect the integrity of the vineyard.

Did you know?

The estate’s Mavro is one of the very few dry Mavrodaphne wines produced in Greece, far from the sweet style for which the grape is historically known. Petrakopoulos uses native yeasts, no oak, and no filtration, making it a raw and honest expression of Kefalonia’s red wine potential.