Balatsouras / Doric Wines
Overview & Philosophy
Balatsouras Winery (operating under the “Doric / Doric Wines” label) is a small boutique, family-driven estate founded by Giorgos Balatsouras.
Situated in the mountainous village of Koniakos, in the Dorida (Fokida) region of Central Greece, the estate revives ancient local grape traditions and emphasizes organic / natural viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking.
Giorgos has committed himself to rescuing and re-cultivating the rare indigenous red variety Kosmas (also known locally as “Gousmadia”), which he inherited from old family vineyards.
Since founding the vineyard project (first plantings around 2004), Balatsouras has produced wines that reflect mountain terroir, ancestral methods, and purity of expression.
Vineyards & Terroir
The vineyard lies at approximately 800 meters altitude, nestled in a fir forest setting above Lake Mornos and near the slopes of Vardousia.
The area is remote and pristine, largely untouched by modern agricultural intensification, which supports natural vineyard health.
Soils are calcareous and rocky, with good drainage and a rugged structure conducive to low-vigor growth.
Climatic conditions are alpine / continental: cold winters, humid springs, mild summers, and cooling mountain breezes mitigate heat and disease pressure.
Water irrigation is not practiced; the vines survive on natural rainfall (dry farming).
Some vines are very old, bush-trained, and self-rooted, preserving genetic heritage and concentration in the grapes.
Grapes, Wine Styles & Vinification
Balatsouras / Doric Wines produces strictly estate wines from indigenous varieties and uses ancient, almost ritualistic winemaking methods:
Kosmas (Gousmadia) — The rare native red grape is central to the estate’s identity. Balatsouras grows it exclusively in his vineyards and makes dedicated red wines from it.
Roditis & Malagousia — These local white varieties are also cultivated and used to produce dry whites or skin-contact (orange) wines under the Doric label.
Some of the notable wine styles include:
Doric Red (Kosmas varietal) — Spontaneous fermentation, skin contact, minimal sulfur use (or none), in open wooden vessels, expressing rustic mountain red character.
Doric White (Roditis + Malagousia blend) — A dry white (or skin-contact white) combining the two local white grapes, with minimal intervention, often unfiltered, and natural expression of mountain aromatics.
Orange / Skin-Contact / Natural Whites — Extended maceration on skins for Roditis (and sometimes Malagousia) to extract texture, phenolics, and complexity; spontaneous yeast, no added preservatives.
Other Bottlings — Additional expressions like “Dentroklimata” (vines climbing trees) or “Dorikos Red” may appear, reflecting vineyard idiosyncrasies or microplots.
Vinification practices include:
Fermentation in open wooden fermenters (horizontal or basket-style), often with fir branches placed over the fermenting must (providing natural antiseptic effect and subtle interaction).
Use of indigenous/natural yeasts exclusively.
No additions of sulfur, chemicals, or synthetic preservatives in many bottlings.
Avoidance of filtration or heavy manipulation.
Aging in old oak or wood vessels, or in large barrels, with minimal intervention to preserve the wine’s native character.
Technical & Operational Details
The total vineyard area is very small — commonly cited as 0.85 hectares of active vines, plus isolated individual vines and tree-climbing vines integrated into the local landscape.
All fruit is estate-grown; no external grape sources are used.
The winery adheres to certified organic practices.
The estate is deeply committed to natural wine philosophy: no additives, no filtering, minimal sulfur where ever possible, and faithful site expression.
The winemaking process is strongly rooted in tradition, with techniques passed through generations and adapted to the local mountain environment.
Because of low yield and small scale, production is limited and each vintage is unique.
Strengths & Distinctive Qualities
A remote, high-altitude site in a fir-forested mountain environment — providing purity, coolness, and terroir distinction.
Rescue and preservation of Kosmas, a nearly extinct native red variety, making Balatsouras one of its few custodians.
Ancient, minimal-intervention vinification techniques that connect modern wine with historical tradition (open wood fermenters, fir branch covers, minimal additions).
Strong natural wine philosophy, making wines that are raw, elemental, and deeply linked to place and vintage.
Boutique scale and uniqueness — each bottle is a rare expression rather than mass production.
The wines are often described by importers and critics as “artifacts of a bygone era,” “transportive,” and having a sincerity that transcends modern winemaking trends.