History
When it all began
1934
In 1934, Nikos Athanassiadis (Adda Harlaftis' father), one of the most prominent exporters of sultana raisins at the time, decides to expand his business activities and focus on his great passion: viniculture. Retaining the family estate at Archanes on the island of Crete, he purchases 12 hectares at the area of Stamata, on the northern slopes of Mount Pendeli, a place renowned since ancient times as a vine-growing region.
This richly endowed land, where the grape was first cultivated, a gift from the god Dionysus to King Icarius, will soon become the well-known Athanassiadis vineyard.
1938
The first labels
Having planted novelty vine varieties such as Kotsifali, Refosco and Savatiano, Nikos Athanassiadis builds a stone winery that is ahead of its time, with underground cellars providing ideal conditions for the aging of the wines.
He takes another step towards fulfilling his innovative vision when, in 1938, he decides to start bottling his small production wines and supplying the largest hotels in Athens, such as the Grande Bretagne.
1941
During the war
During the tough years of the occupation that followed, Nikos Athanassiadis leaves the estate gates open for the people
and the grapes become a precious means of survival.
1955
New generation, new varieties
In 1955, the Harlaftis winery passes on to the next generation. On the death of its founder, it is inherited by his daughter Adda, who is just 16 years old then. Until her marriage to Diogenis Harlaftis in 1958, Adda keeps the estate on her own. Later on, she and her husband succeed in making further progress in the field of quality wine production. In 1960, they uproot all the old vines and replace them with new varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Assyrtiko. They reform the estate by laying it out in rows, so that it is appropriately oriented to ensure optimum ripening of the grapes. They also modernize the wine press. In 1962, the third wine is bottled: The Athanassiadis Dry Rosé. One of the first bottled rosé wines in Greece.
1970
Developing the winery after 1970
In the following decades the Harlaftis wines become well-known not only in Athens but also in the Greek province and the islands. At the same time, they start being exported to USA, Canada, England, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, China and their introduction to the international market is crowned with success.
However, the dedication of the people behind each label does not stop here.
1997
New estates & new winery in Nemea
In 1997, the Harlaftis family acquires a new vineyard in the area of Achladias in Nemea, Korinthos and then another one at Koutsi, in Nemea.
The varieties that will be cultivated there are Agiorgitiko, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Limiona, white Malagouzia and later Malbec.
The winery at Stamata is modernized and a new winery is constructed at the Nemea estate.
Today
Α high standard modern winery
Today, the Harlaftis winery has established its position as a modern wine-making business, with a consistent and strong track record over the years in the production of quality wines, made to rigorous specifications.
Now, the third generation of the family continues the founder's work with the same passion, writing their own history.
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When it all began
1934
In 1934, Nikos Athanassiadis (Adda Harlaftis' father), one of the most prominent exporters of sultana raisins at the time, decides to expand his business activities and focus on his great passion: viniculture. Retaining the family estate at Archanes on the island of Crete, he purchases 12 hectares at the area of Stamata, on the northern slopes of Mount Pendeli, a place renowned since ancient times as a vine-growing region.This richly endowed land, where the grape was first cultivated, a gift from the god Dionysus to King Icarius, will soon become the well-known Athanassiadis vineyard.
1938
The first labels
Having planted novelty vine varieties such as Kotsifali, Refosco and Savatiano, Nikos Athanassiadis builds a stone winery that is ahead of its time, with underground cellars providing ideal conditions for the aging of the wines.He takes another step towards fulfilling his innovative vision when, in 1938, he decides to start bottling his small production wines and supplying the largest hotels in Athens, such as the Grande Bretagne.
1941
During the war
During the tough years of the occupation that followed, Nikos Athanassiadis leaves the estate gates open for the peopleand the grapes become a precious means of survival.
1955
New generation, new varieties
In 1955, the Harlaftis winery passes on to the next generation. On the death of its founder, it is inherited by his daughter Adda, who is just 16 years old then. Until her marriage to Diogenis Harlaftis in 1958, Adda keeps the estate on her own. Later on, she and her husband succeed in making further progress in the field of quality wine production. In 1960, they uproot all the old vines and replace them with new varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Assyrtiko. They reform the estate by laying it out in rows, so that it is appropriately oriented to ensure optimum ripening of the grapes. They also modernize the wine press. In 1962, the third wine is bottled: The Athanassiadis Dry Rosé. One of the first bottled rosé wines in Greece.
1970
Developing the winery after 1970
In the following decades the Harlaftis wines become well-known not only in Athens but also in the Greek province and the islands. At the same time, they start being exported to USA, Canada, England, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, China and their introduction to the international market is crowned with success.However, the dedication of the people behind each label does not stop here.
1997
New estates & new winery in Nemea
In 1997, the Harlaftis family acquires a new vineyard in the area of Achladias in Nemea, Korinthos and then another one at Koutsi, in Nemea.The varieties that will be cultivated there are Agiorgitiko, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Limiona, white Malagouzia and later Malbec.
The winery at Stamata is modernized and a new winery is constructed at the Nemea estate.
Today
Α high standard modern winery
Today, the Harlaftis winery has established its position as a modern wine-making business, with a consistent and strong track record over the years in the production of quality wines, made to rigorous specifications. Now, the third generation of the family continues the founder's work with the same passion, writing their own history.
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