Aslanis Family Winery

Overview & Philosophy

Aslanis Family Winery is a small, family-run estate based in Nea Michaniona, near Thessaloniki, in the Macedonia / PGI Macedonia zone.
The operation is truly collaborative: Laskaris Aslanis works the vineyards, his wife Syrmo handles the accounts and operations, and their daughters (Vicky in marketing/sales and Lena as the in-house oenologist) participate in key roles.
The estate cultivates about 4 hectares of vineyards, all under organic viticulture, with a philosophy focused on low intervention and expressing each varietal’s character.

Vineyards & Terroir

  • The vineyards are located close to the Thermaic Gulf, benefiting from sea breezes that help moderate heat and bring cooling influence during nights.

  • They lie in Natura / salt-lake influenced terrain near Nea Michaniona, giving the vines exposure to breezes and microclimatic moderation.

  • The vineyard soils vary by parcel:
      • White grape blocks generally occupy sandy-limestone soils
      • Red grape blocks are in clay, limestone, and flint soils

  • Irrigation is not used; vines are dry-farmed, relying on the local rainfall and soil moisture retention.

  • The vineyards are contiguous (or nearly so), which helps in consistent management and uniform vineyard practices.

Grape Varieties & Wine Styles

Aslanis emphasizes single-varietal bottlings (rather than blends) to let each variety express itself fully. Experimentation is part of the program, but the core wines are variety-driven. Some of the key grapes and styles include:

  • Limnio (red): A flagship red for the estate. The 2022 Limnio undergoes a short extraction and is aged 8 months in oak barrels, yielding elegance and purity of fruit.

  • Assyrtiko (white): Fermented at ~15 °C with cold soak / skin contact, aged on fine lees, with limited oak influence in some cuvées.

  • Malagouzia (white): A white variety used by Aslanis to produce aromatic, expressive wine under the PGI Macedonia.

  • Kidonitsa: A lesser-known grape used for experimental or specialty bottlings.

  • Other varietals: Over time, the estate has planted international varieties (Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah) but the focus remains strongly on Greek indigenous grapes.

In general, Aslanis’ wines are designed to be pure, varietal-expressive, unmanipulated, and reflective of the local terroir.

Winemaking & Technical Practices

  • Fermentations are often carried out with indigenous / wild yeasts, with minimal additions or corrections.

  • Whites may see skin contact / cold soak before fermentation to enhance texture and phenolic complexity.

  • Aging is done on fine lees to build structure, especially for whites.

  • Red wines like Limnio see moderate oak aging (e.g. 8 months) to support structure without overwhelming fruit.

  • Filtration and fining are kept minimal or avoided to preserve integrity, aromatics, and depth.

  • Sulfur additions are managed conservatively; where used, they are applied carefully to maintain wine stability without masking character.

Production & Scale

  • The estate’s total vineyard area is ~4 hectares.

  • Production is modest, focused on quality over quantity.

  • Some past figures indicate an annual yield of around 8,000 to 10,000 bottles (in earlier years) as the project scaled.

  • Today, they produce multiple labels across whites, reds, and experimental styles, all under the family umbrella.

Strengths & Distinctive Qualities

  • Strong family identity — every family member has an active role from vineyard to sales.

  • Organic farming & low intervention philosophy ensures clarity and terroir expression.

  • Proximity to sea & unique terroir (salt-lake influence, coastal breezes) gives wines freshness and salinity.

  • Varietal purity — single-varietal wines allow each grape to shine rather than blending away identities.

  • Flagship indigenous wine — Limnio is a central asset for the winery, showing its capacity to handle a local classic variety with finesse.

  • Experimental spirit — they explore less common grapes like Kidonitsa and maintain a willingness to test skin contact, small oak, and other hands-off techniques.

  • Small scale & boutique charm — tight acreage enables close attention to every vine and wine lot.