Heritage
From 1895… until today!
EFSTRATIOS MALAMATINAS

1860
In the αμπελόεσσα Tenedos
Around 1860, Tenedos vibrates with life. The affluent Greek society cultivates its dry soil and produces extremely tsaousia (grapes), known for their quality and aroma. Efstratios Malamatinas cultivates also tsaousia in the family vineyards. Their taste and crisp flesh are famous in the area. Its white wine becomes very quickly well-known and loved in the local society

1895
MERSIN
Konstantinos is a keen trader: he strengthens the production of family white wine and extends significantly the market. His ship, Mersini, a valuable companion and partner, unloads its precious cargo to the main ports of Northern Greece.
WINERY OF TENEDOS

1895
The first winery
The first winery of the family is founded in Alexandroupolis under the name “Tenedos”. The decision of Konstantinos Malamatinas, son of Efstratios, supports the subdued local community and its economy. This is how the foundations for a family tradition that has evolved over the past 5 generations are laid
ΚONSTANTINOS MALAMATINAS

1922
“The one who brought us the Retsina”
In 1922, under the “Treaty of Lausanne”, the family loses its land in Tenedos. Until then, the grapes come from family vineyards. Due to the treaty, however, Konstantinos Malamatinas is forced to look for – more – grapes of local production. It is that time when Konstantinos makes the decision to produce the “wine of Greece”, i.e. resinated wine. For those, who do not know his name in the region, he is the person who “brought us the Retsina”.
WINERY OF TENEDOS

1934
The winery in Avlida
Konstantinos travels to all the vineyards around Greece. Porto Lagos and Boeotia become his spots. In homeric Avlida, he establishes a new winemaking facility and exploits the local production of grapes of the “Savatiano” variety. Being always nostalgic, he hangs a big sign, “the winery of Tenedos”.
GRAPE PICKING

1934
Family affair
The Malamatinas family is not the only one who associates its name with this Retsina. Dozens of families of farmers, winegrowers, field workers and technicians have linked their family progress with Retsina Malamatina, some of them for more than 40 years.
EVANGELOS MALAMATINAS

1957
Innovation: Retsina is bottled for the first time
Evangelos – representative of the third generation.
Malamatina – he’s been experimenting for hours at the chemistry.
Being a chemical oenologist and gifted with the well-known persistence of the family, he intends to improve and stabilize the quality as well as the aroma of Retsina. His goal is to make Retsina Malamatina travel unspoiled to the most remote café. And he makes it! In 1957 Retsina is bottled in the “bubble” bottle. A new era for Malamatina and Greek wine begins.
In 1988, Evangelos Malamatinas is awarded an honorary degree by the Association of Greek Chemists “for his fruitful contribution to the oenology industry”.
ADVERTISEMENT OF MALAMATINA

1957
The man with the key
The truth about the origin of the Malamatina trademark has been lost over the time. According to the tradition, the actor Nikos Stavridis, a friend of Evangelos Malamatinas, is the person, who proposed this trademark because he said: “Malamatina is the key to my stomach!”
BOTTLING | GRAPE PICKING

1980
Technology meets tradition
Over the years, the family’s continued effort to achieve the best results has led to a series of innovations and investments. The wineries are extended to Faros and Ritsona of Avlida. An automated winery in Asopia of Boeotia, one of the most sophisticated in Europe, is created with 4 pneumatic presses capable of receiving 700 tons of grapes a day. The capacity of the bottling plant in Kalochori, Thessaloniki, is being modernized and increased. Moreover, the sales and exports network is strengthened. The fourth generation of the family is represented by Konstantinos Malamatinas, combining the love and know-how of a century, insightful strategy and passion for evolution.
MALAMATINA TRADEMARK

2018
Every year, approximately 50,000,000 Malamatina bottles are consumed in Greece and in other 25 countries. Each of them brings to our table and to our heart an aroma of peppery resin, the dew from a Greek vineyard and the warmth of the Mediterranean sun. For 120 years, the tradition has passed from generation to generation, in order to come alive and more topical than ever to our days.

~ Its soul ~
Retsina is a way of life. It is timeless. It fits with everyone, speaks to our hearts and accompanies our most beautiful moments. From 1895 until today, the authentic Retsina Malamatina continues to have the same pleasantly discreet flavour and its peppery aroma. Our purpose is that whole world tastes it, as our ancestors did … Just authentic!
~ Its substance ~
The retsina recipe is a story of many years! The best native varieties, among which Savatiano stands out, combine their aromas with a small but beneficial amount of resin from the pine Pinus Hallepensis. Our wine growers, with their valuable experience, take care of the robustness of vineyards, in order to offer about 30,000 tons of grapes for the production of Retsina Malamatina every year.


~ Its land ~
When you produce a product that comes out of nature, you have to respect nature. That is why environmental protection is our top priority. We study and implement pioneering energy-saving solutions, material recycling and biological cleanings. We offer also consulting services to our producers because we know that when the land is “healthy,” it gives us back what is best for our retsina production
~ Its reputation ~
Today, Retsina Malamatina is everywhere and accompanies us to every moment! It is the 1st in the market, distributing more than 50 million bottles globally in 37 countries every year. Our purpose is to make the whole world taste one of the most historic wines of Greece, our retsina, as we have tasted it … just authentic!