Charalaboglou Wines

Overview & Philosophy

Charalaboglou Wines (Domaine Charalaboglou) is an organic estate located at the foothills of Mount Pangaion, in Krinida, Serres, northern Greece.
The winery was founded in 1999 by George & Argyri Charalaboglou.
The estate cultivates approximately 150 acres (≈ 60 hectares) of vineyards under organic farming.
Their philosophy emphasizes sustainability, purity, and site expression, combining traditional Greek varietals with careful organic practices.

Vineyards & Terroir

  • The vineyards lie on the slopes of Mount Pangaion, in the municipality of Amfipolis, Krinida, Serres.

  • The soils are varied and include red, iron-rich clay substrata in places, enabling good structure and minerality.

  • Elevations provide moderate climate influence, with cool nights helping to preserve freshness.

  • The estate works with old and newer vines: vine ages vary, some blocks are over 20 years old.

  • The vineyards are dry-farmed (minimal or no irrigation) and cultivated organically.

  • The estate contains multiple vineyard parcels used for different grape varieties and wine styles.

Grape Varieties & Wine Styles

Charalaboglou works with a mix of Greek indigenous varieties and international grapes, creating expressive wines. Their main varieties include:

  • Greek / Indigenous: Koniaros (Koiniariko), Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, Moschato, Roditis, Mavroudi

  • International / Classic: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay

Key wine lines:

  • Charalaboglou Estate: This line comprises two single-varietal red organic wines, one Merlot and one Syrah, each aged in oak for 12 months.

  • Bstasis (formerly “Vitastianos”):
      • Bstasis Dry White — from Sauvignon Blanc and Assyrtiko, organic, PGI Serres
      • Bstasis Dry Red — from Koniaros and Syrah + Cabernet Franc, organic
      • Bstasis Rosé — semi-sweet blend from Syrah & Cabernet Franc
    All Bstasis wines carry PGI Serres designation.

  • Lykopetra line: three organic wines: White (Chardonnay + Malagouzia), Rosé (Syrah + Cabernet Sauvignon), and Red (Cabernet Sauvignon + Merlot).

  • Other experimental wines:
      • Malagouzia in Anthesis — a white wine emphasizing aromatic intensity
      • Koiniariko in Anthesis — a late-ripening indigenous red wine
      • Pet-Nat / Sparkling / Natural Whites / Roditis, Moscato, etc. — small-batch wines using skin contact, spontaneous fermentation, or partial bottling fermentation.

Winemaking approaches include:

  • Hand harvesting, destemming, and sometimes crushing with skin contact/maceration before pressing.

  • Fermentations: both selected yeasts (in some whites) and spontaneous / wild yeasts (in reds, skin-contact wines).

  • Aging: Red wines and some flagship whites see oak aging (American and French oak), often for 10–12 months.

  • For whites: after fermentation, wines may rest on fine lees with stirring (bâtonnage) to build texture (e.g. 8 months).

  • Sparkling / Pet-Nat: some varieties (Moscato d’Alexandri, Roditis) are bottled under crown cap to complete fermentation in bottle, creating natural bubbles.

  • Wines are bottled with minimal filtration or fining to preserve natural character.

Technical & Operational Details

  • The estate is visitable, with a tasting house and facilities embedded in the vineyard landscape.

  • The vineyards are certified organic across all holdings.

  • Production is estate-only, with grapes coming from their own vineyards.

  • The wines are released following careful maturation; some wines may carry awards (e.g. the Estate red wines).

  • The range covers whites, reds, rosés, and natural / experimental wines, reflecting both varietal and terroir diversity.

Strengths & Distinctive Qualities

  • Strong organic identity — one of the more visible organic estates in northern Greece.

  • Diverse varietal repertoire — balancing indigenous Greek grapes and international varieties to express vineyard potential.

  • Terroir focus — soils, aspect, elevation, and microclimate integral to wine character.

  • Wine line stratification — from entry (Bstasis) to estate and experimental cuvées (Lykopetra, Anthesis) for market breadth.

  • Innovation in natural wines — engaging in pet-nats, skin contact, minimal intervention styles.

  • Recognition & awards — some of their wines, especially whites like “Malagouzia in Anthesis,” have drawn praise (e.g. Falstaff score).

  • Tourism & experience amenity — as a vineyard-based winery, it supports visits, tasting, and direct connection to place.