THE MARKOU FAMILY
Tradition
“Markou Vineyards” is one of the eldest artisanal wineries of Athens, fully operational without hiatus since 1908 and one of the first to found a contemporary winery and bottling unit in 1983.
It is currently operated by its 4th generation of wine-makers.
The Markous have been for centuries grape farmers, and stewards of the ancient land of Athens trading continuously in grape must up until the late 19th century when they began to make and trade in wine.
In 1908 they found their Kapeleio -wine making and wine trading establishment- located within the craftsmen’ borough of downtown Athens, Psirri.
The Markou family carry a significant portion of the region’s oral traditions of artisanal viticulture and winemaking and since 1983 they have been engaging in open dialogue with the modern scientific expertise and knowledge of associate oenologists and viticulturists producing thus true mature examples of the idiomatic voice of the Athenian terroir.
Markou Vineyards winery cultivates and harvests both privately owned and collaborative vineyards in the PGI wine zones of Athens and the PDO wine zone of Nemea in Corinth.
Its vineyards are mostly comprised of 65+ years old vines in goblet formations that are non-irrigated and keep low yields of highly concentrated fruit. Exclusively run by 7 family members that cover the entire spectrum of operations, the Markou’s produce beautifully robust and expressive wines that are rich in layers of appreciation. They enthusiastically retain oral tradition yet combine it with continuous experimentation and innovation.
THE MARKOU FAMILY
The History. . .Since 1908
For centuries of generations the Markou family, much like most of the dwellers of rural Athens, have been primarily engaged in the cultivation of the vine.
In the dawn of the 20th century the Markou family become also winemakers by establishing their own Kapeleio. Artisanal winemaking since classical antiquity has always been hosted within the Kapeleio, urban wine making and wine trading establishment.
1908
In 1908 Spyridon Markou vinifies and sells Savatiano wine from his family’s estates, the ancient indigenous Attican grape within his newly founded Kapeleio in downtown historical center of Athens
1920
In 1920 he buys a new large plot of land in downtown Athens, where he houses his 2nd Kapeleio - a wooden cottage in which he keeps his wine in barrels and a large yard to provide "parking" services to horse-wagon drivers. From there he sells directly to the famous Athenian taverns and bodegas of the capital and of Piraeus port dominating the market.
1928
In 1928 together with his 2 sons, Vasilis and Giorgos, and after their great success in the capital, they now build with bricks the wine shop and kitchen that still operates today at Aeschylou 12Α . The "Oinopoleion" continues to serve and sell exclusively the wines of the "Markos Vineyards" as it did 100 years ago.
1954
In 1954 Vassilis expands the family vineyard by planting an additional 50 acres of dry vines in the Attica wine-growing zone
1983
In 1983 The 3th generation of wine-makers, Spyridon and Konstantinos, renovate the family’s traditional winery bringing it up to date, founding the 1st artisanal contemporary winemaking production and bottling unit in Attica according to current standards and technological dictates.
1998
In 1998, the private vineyards of the family in the Attican wine country further expand to the wine-growing zone of Nemea Peloponnese. The ancient indigenous red grape of Nemea, Agiorgitiko, is added to their portfolio.
2005
In 2005 the Markou family founds the "Markou Wine Museum", which hosts their private collection of agricultural and wine -making tools from the 19th century and onwards, a unique space hosting wine tasting, masterclasses, educational programs of agrotourism; furthering awareness of the artisanal Attican traditions of wine making and the idiom of the Attican terroir.
2011
In 2011 more focus shifts towards international markets with exports growing to other European, American and Asian markets.
Today
Today Markou Vineyards continue to grow and evolve and with currently12 brand labels under their belt are led by the 4th generation of wine-makers that are eager to further the family’s tradition and break new ground.
THE MARKOU FAMILY
Our Philosophy
We tend to the vine with minimal intervention. The timing of each year’s harvest is key; after the harvest, we follow the grape much like a sculptor follows marble.
We carefully observe unbreakable rules while retaining the freedom to get inspired and experiment; we desire to always remain inquisitive.
It’s very important to us to maintain active social participation in our community and region. We aim to contribute in the preservation of mneme of the traditions of the Athenian viticultural and wine making heritage and to familiarize the wine-loving community with the true idiomatic voice of the Athenian terroir.
