Background
With the past always present!
It is widely believed that the first years of our life shape who we are, define what will we become. No matter how much we stray, our course will take us back to the beginning, were we where first enchanted, where our soul was first moved.
This is the undisputable truth about the life of Vasilis Kaniaris who, despite his extensive medical studies and outstanding career as a scientist, never forgot the magic he experienced spending his childhood at his grandfather’s vineyard at Mountainous Corinthia. The grandfather a raisin producer had a dominant role in his grandson’s upbringing by instilling into his idiosyncrasy the love for nature, care for vine plants and mostly awe for grape harvesting.
No matter how far you get, you always return to your starting point!
Many years later, destiny leads Vasilis Kaniaris to the Megara vineyard at the foothills of Mount Geraneia. With his childhood memories still vivid, he decides to channel to this vineyard all the passion, eagerness and creativity that characterize him.
Therefore, in 2006, he will buy a plot of land of 35 hectares, situated at Pefkeneas, a location in the countryside of Megara, and dedicates his life to the revival of the Megara vineyard – the first organized vine cultivation in Ancient Greece, as historians claim.
Breathing in new life!
Scattered traces of stone presses from past eras; a terrain rising all the way up to mountain peaks and deepening to the profundity of the sea; historic vines of Attica such as Savvatiano, Roditis and Mavroudi along with Assyrtiko – the migrant from Santorini; these were the treasures which inspired Vasilis Kaniaris and his two sons, Dimosthenis and Giorgos, to revive the legendary Megara vineyard.
This new breath of life has already proved to be fruitful for the vineyard. The replanting of vines, which started in 1988 and was later successfully completed by applying purely organic practices, allowed for new vines to replace the old ones, thus boosting the vineyard’s dynamics. At the same time, modern winemaking facilities were created to harmoniously complement the historic character and beauty of the landscape of Megara. The old presses were restored and embraced by rows of vines which follow all the contemporary methods of viticulture, while the construction of the Chateau and the venues which host wine lovers served as the final touch for the vision of the Kaniaris family. Today, the Viticultural Manor is always there to share with you the secrets and pleasures of wine worship.
