T-Oinos winery, eight years later: quality and evolution

By Yiannis Karakasis MW

Eight years ago in 2016, I visited Tinos Island for the first time and was drawn to T-Oinos Winery, which was on an exciting path to become one of Greece's top wine producers and to gain international recognition. Now, the winery has undergone significant changes, with major investments and a strong focus on crafting exceptional terroir-driven wines. This transformation is visible in its new facilities (more details at the end of the article) and is grounded in its vineyard philosophy and winemaking methods.

T-Oinos Winery has gradually increased its vineyard area, now covering nearly 13 hectares. "There is potential to expand to 17 hectares soon," says winemaker Thanos Georgilas (pictured above), who works alongside renowned wine consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. Their main focus remains on two key vineyards: Assyrtiko and Mavrotragano, with some plantings of Avgoustiatis and Malagousia used exclusively for their rosé wines, Mavrose and the new Clos Stegasta Rosé—a blend of all four grape varieties.

Despite its expansion, T-Oinos' production remains tiny, almost microscopic. "We never compromise on quality," states Georgilas. Even in an outstanding vintage, production is limited to 25,000 bottles. In 2023, output was deliberately reduced to fewer than 20,000 bottles," he adds. With the harvest for the 2024 vintage just beginning—20 days earlier than usual—production is expected to fall by more than 30%, highlighting the strict measures they take to maintain high standards despite the challenges.

In terms of style, both Assyrtiko and Mavrotragano wines consistently aim for greater elegance. Georgilas notes that T-Oinos has redefined its use of oak, targeting ETP: Energy, Transparency, and Purity. This involves meticulous work in the vineyard, less use of oak, and a stronger emphasis on the clarity and expression of the fruit. Indeed, each new release increasingly highlights mineral characteristics and terroir expression, as demonstrated by the Clos Stegasta Assyrtiko 2022 and Mavrotragano 2020.