Heritage

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.

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

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”.

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”.

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.

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”.

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!”

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.

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. We welcome the 5th generation and we drink to the next 122 years!