The Greek winery, with its headquarters in Thessaloniki ín the region of
Macedonia, was founded in the early 1960s by shipping magnate and multi-millionaire Ioanni Carras (1905-1990). The winery, however, was always "only" part of a giant project with several hotels, marina, golf course, etc. Carras' ambitious goal was to initiate a new era in viticulture in his homeland and to produce the best wine in
Greece. The total estate with all facilities covers 1,800 hectares, the terraced vineyards with 475 hectares are located on the shore of the Aegean Sea on Sithonia, the middle finger of the Halkidiki peninsula. They form the entire appellation Côtes de Meliton (Playies Melitona). The use of French terms is deliberate, because the grape varieties, vinification and ageing are based on the French model
A series of methodical experiments were started on an area that had not been used for viticulture in any way before. Extensive work began under the supervision of experts, professors from the University of Thessaloniki, and Professor Émile
Peynaud (1912-2004) from the University of Bordeaux. Part of the forest was preserved to serve as a natural barrier against the wind and excessively high temperatures. Entire hills were reshaped by bulldozers to provide better exposure to the sun. The first vineyards were not planted until 1965
27 different grape varieties were cultivated, including 13 French and 14 Greek. It was found through studies that the French vines thrive better at higher altitudes (300 to 400 metres), the indigenous ones at about 200 to 300 metres. The vineyards are planted with the French varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cinsault, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc and the indigenous varieties Assyrtiko, Athiri, Limnio, Malagouisa, Roditis and Xynomavro. White wine varieties account for 60% and red wine varieties for 40%. The first harvest took place in 1972, but due to various major problems, all the wine had to be destroyed
The cellar master in charge was dismissed and the well-known winemaker Evangelos Gerovassiliou was hired. The French-oriented wines are matured in French oak and marketed under the name "Côtes de Meliton". The premium red wine "Château Carras" is blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Limnio. Under the brand "Domaine Porto Carras", wines are produced from predominantly Greek varieties. From the beginning of the 1990s there were major financial problems, and after the 1997 vintage there was a total standstill. Since 2002, the entire property including the winery has belonged to the Technical Olympic Group of Companies. All vineyards are now cultivated according to the guidelines of
organic viticulture
