The story behind the establishment of Katogi Averoff winery is quite intriguing since it started off its operation in the late nineteen fifties. Evangelos Averoff planted Greece’s first Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the precipitous slopes of Mount Pindus and bottled the wine now known as Katogi Averoff in the “katogi” (lower storey) of his home in Metsovo. “French vines in Greek mountain soil” read the label he lovingly designed for that first wine. Part of a wide-ranging effort, a vast work-in-progress aiming at stimulating economic and cultural development in the region, Averoff’s wine-making activities were borne of a vision: transforming Pindus’ abandoned slopes into vineyards and reviving a viticulture tradition which had flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries. And that is precisely what he did. With the help of experts from Greece and France, Averoff created one of Greece’s most celebrated and elevated vineyards, built a small winery on the outskirts of Metsovo, and establishing Katogi SA in 1989. But Katogi’s red wine, which quickly made a name for itself both in Greece and abroad, where it won a number of international awards, was just the first step in the company’s master plan: releasing the vast potential of the Greek vineyard by promoting the cultivation of native Greek grapes and blending traditional Greek and international varieties. Katogi Averoff Winery was also one of the first Greek wine-makers to embrace authentic methods of growing and making wine. Although Evangelos Averoff died in 1990, Katogi Strofilia continues its evolution on the new challenges of the 21^st century. New vineyards were planted around Metsovo, and the company continued to experiment with new grape varieties and new blends of wine. The winery was brought up-to-date through a series of extensions, increased its total production and expanded its national and internationally distribution. Katogi Averoff Winery was now firmly established as a dynamic young company with solid foundations, high-quality products and a contemporary, forward-looking approach.

Katogi Averoff became known over time from the homonymous wine label, the tasty red Katogi wine that combines the power of Cabernet Sauvignon with the brilliance of Agiorgitiko and white inspired by the dynamics of Chardonnay and Roditis. The label was initially called “Katogi Metsovo” and only after the death of Evangelos Averoff was renamed to Katogi Averoff in order to honor him. Apart from the eponymous label, the range of red wines of the winery Katogi Averoff is particularly rich since it includes Domaine Averoff, a Bordeaux Blend with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon from selected vineyards of the estate at the position Yiniets outside Metsovo, the Fiery, a noble blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as the Purple Earth, one of the few blends combining the two main Greek red varieties, Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro. Regarding the white wines of the Katogi Averoff Winery, the portfolio openswith Katogi Averoff Traminer, which is the varietal bottling of the homonymous aromatic white variety that even includes barrel Chardonnay of the estate. Of particular interest is the semi-dry Rosé from Xinomavro Averoff, a wine that is served very enjoyable as an aperitif, and can be combined beautifully with a variety of cheeses. Finally, quite popular is the Melifron, a white dessert wine from the variety Traminer, with a very limited production, as only 200 bottles are produced within a year, winery bottles and a fine sparkling wine using traditional winemaking of Champagne based a blend of Traminer to Debina, the typical variety of neighboring Zitsa.

The vineyards of the winery are the most mountainous of Greece and Europe found at an altitude of 940 meters. At such an elevation, the ripening of the grapes is quite slow compared to the majority of the Greek vineyards, which is why the harvest in Metsovo is rarely completed before the end of October. If you are a hiking lover, you can always visit the vineyards of Agios Nikolaos that belong to Katogi Averoff, just below the homonymous monastery, as well as the Yiniets vineyards, the most mountainous vineyards of Greece, which promise panoramic vistas and spectacular landscapes of Mother Nature. The visit at the Katogi Averoff winery and the initiation into the intoxicating world of wine takes about thirty minutes and it is upon request. If you are visiting Metsovo, do not hesitate to call the winery and make an appointment. The oldest parts of the winery date back to 1973, when work began on a new building required covering the company’s ever-increasing production needs. Today, after eight separate extensions and renovations, the winery is equipped with all the contemporary equipment required for producing and bottling wine. Its cellars can boast over 1200 oak barrels in which our red wines mature, while the winery shop offers rare and collectible bottles of wine for sale from its 1974 vintage on, rounded off with tastings of a selection of Katogi Averoff wines.