- HOME
- Ionian Islands
- Zakynthos
- Zakynthos Winemaker
Zakynthos Winemaker
The People Who Make Zakynthos
Antonis Maroudas is a winemaker from Zakynthos, in the Ionian islands, and he features in a new campaign promoting the island through 'The People who make Zakynthos'.
The campaign is promoted by the travel insurance company, Insure and Go, and is a creative way of telling the story of Zakynthos through some of the amazing people who live there.
The people include Kostandinos Drogittis, who's a diving instructor with Eurodivers; Sylvan Benaksas, project leader at the Archelon Turtle Conservation Trust; and Hanne Mi S. Sauge who owns the Ceramic Art Studio.
Greece Travel Secrets, though, wants to concentrate on the winemaker, Antonis Maroudas.
We've been given the transcript of the interview that Antonis did with the film-makers, which is full of fascinating material about Antonis and his business, not all of which made it into the film.
So what's the name of the business?
There are different ways that people pronounce the name of the business, Ampelostratis or Ampelostrates – there are always arguments about that with my wife or other friends but at the end it’s where you want to give more emphasis. Ampelo(stratis) – places emphasis on the road and (Ampelos)trates – gives more emphasis on the vines. This word has a compound meaning, It combines the vines, which is our great passion, with the streets and paths we’re crossing with the horses to get to the vineyards.
How long have you had a farm? Is it a family business?
We are running the farm, including the restaurant and other businesses we have for about nine years but the farm itself exists for many years, probably from the era of my father and grandfather.
Can you tell us a bit more about the traditional farming in the island?
The income of the people here in the island was mainly based on agriculture and not so much from the tourism, as it does today, and that’s because the climate, the temperature and the nature benefit these types of agricultural activities. It is a blessed island and the amazing weather benefits especially the production of olives and olive oil. The olives here are amazing, the raisins, the vines and in the more mountainous areas people used to keep livestock and work on the wheat production.
But after the war of 1940-50 many people left the island so the agricultural business started to flourish again after the 1960s and you can now see many young people working in this sector and be successful.
You give tours of your farm. Why did you decide to give tourists a taste of traditional farming?
First of all, this is our passion and it’s what our family was working on for years. Secondly, if you have some many wines, what do you do with them? You can’t really drink them all on your own, you’ll have to make them available for others.
Aside from that, this type of work gives me a great pleasure since I get closer with other people and I get great pleasure when I make them feel happy and content. Our philosophy is to make people feel happy based on a truthful, authentic experience. Whatever we have available in our restaurant, it is growing straight from our garden: the tomatoes, the raisins, the olive oil – everything.
This is how we dispense our products and make ourselves happy – at least I’m happy, the rest might not be!
What makes Zakynthian products different from others?
The climate, the geomorphy of the island and the soil are the main factors that benefit the production of these products. More specifically, the high sunlight in conjunction with the high amount of rain (the highest in Greece). It produces excellent products and it’s also worth mentioning that it has one of the greatest flora in the Mediterranean – the biodiversity is also very wide, especially in wild plants and herbs – mainly Crete and Zakynthos have this type of diversity.
Tell us about your wine, how do you make it, how does it taste?
Zakynthos as we mentioned previously has amazing vineyard products similar to the rest of Greece and in Zante we have recorded from the ancient time around 40-50 local raisin varieties. My father and grandfather, but mainly myself and my children, we looked for most of these varieties in Zakynthos and we have the philosophy to revive and use the vineyard in the best possible way and also get rid of the industrial wine that has intruded our lives.
The wine business is a fantastic working activity and it takes so many different forms – nobody can’t really say that makes the best wine ever because it has a myriad parameters that play role in its production. For example, if you try wine from three different vineyards the wine won’t taste the same – imagine when wine comes from 50 different vineyards due to different environmental conditions and temperatures it will always taste different.
We work hard to produce a good result and we make it happen. In general the new generation experiments a lot and produces very good quality wine. Often times you hear people complain, especially those who lack knowledge that a tsipouro is made out of arbutus, sour cherries or damson fruits. Yes, this usually is how people produce it in North Europe because they don’t have good raw materials.
When you have this incredible raw material, the grape, which gets 13 in the Baume scale and then distil it and get out all the aromas, then there is no reason why you would use arbutus or sour cherries. Based on this process the wine and tsipouro has the best taste and quality. Nature equips you with the best variety of grapes, but you should also be competent enough to carry it out.
"I love the good wine and food but this alone doesn’t make you happy if you don’t have someone to share it with."
How do you work with your family business and what else do you do here?
The people who work in that business is my family and mainly my wife, who is also a painter and at the same time she is an artist when it comes to cooking. We are working with local products from the island and whatever we cannot produce we buy from other businesses that to our knowledge also sell top quality products. Whenever I get spare time from my business, I like to do various things. I like writing. I also like fishing, and I usually go with my children, and when I have good company I also like to drink wine!
To close, I really want to emphasize that I like the good company and people who have good intentions for a fruitful dialogue, I don’t really mind if they have strong arguments as soon as we both listen to each other’s point of view. I love the good wine and food but this alone doesn’t make you happy if you don’t have someone to share it with.
To find out more about visiting Antonis's farm see:
https://ecozante.com/ampelostrates
Or phone Antonis on +30 269 504 3718
Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides
Other Greek Wine Pages
Tipping in Greece
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to tipping in Greece from two Greece travel experts, including when to tip, what to tip and when not to tip.
Athens Food Tours
Athens Food Tours are being introduced by new company The Greek Fork, and will include tours of the Central Market, and the best street food.
Greek Food and Drink
Greek food and drink is a highlight of any visit and Greece Travel Secrets brings you info about food and drink from all over Greece, from Athens to Zakynthos.
Best Cocktail Bars in Athens
Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.
What Is a Greek Salad
What is a Greek Salad – a Greek Salad is made up of tomatoes, cucumber, onions, green pepper, olives, and feta cheese.
History of Tzatziki and a Recipe
Greece Travel Secrets tells the history of the classic Greek dish tzatziki, with a recipe for making your own yogurt and cucumber dip.
Corfu’s Special Cuisine
Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.
What Is Greek Raki?
Raki is an alcoholic drink made with distilled grapes and anise, and popular in Greece and other Mediterranean countries, including Greece’s neighbour Turkey.
Touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.
Best Time to Visit Zakynthos
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Zakynthos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Dolmades
Greece Travel Secrets explains the long history of the Greek dish of dolmades, or stuffed vine leaves, which goes back to ancient Greece, and provides a recipe.
Lefkas
Travel information about Lefkas in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights and the best things to do beaches, sailing, windsurfing.
Crete Olive Oil Tour
For a Crete olive oil tour Greece Travel Secrets visits Biolea, one of the few olive oil factories on Crete that you can visit.
What Is Metaxa?
What is Metaxa? Metaxa is an amber Greek spirit combining brandy made by distilling wine, sweet wine from Samos and a secret recipe of Mediterranean botanicals.
Santorini Wineries
Visiting Santorini wineries is a popular activity on this Greek island in the Cyclades, whose volcanic soil provides a distinctive terroir.
Walking on Paxos
Walking on Paxos is the best way to discover this tiny island south of Corfu in the Ionian Islands, with its wooded hills and terraces of olive trees.
Photos of Zakynthos
Greece Travel Secrets publishes a page of photos of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of Greece to perhaps inspire you to visit.
Greek Alcoholic Drinks
Greek alcoholic drinks include distinctly Greek drinks such as ouzo, Metaxa, retsina, raki, tsikoudia and tsipouro, but also Greek wines and Greek beers.
Corfu Olives
Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.
Ithaca, or Ithaki or Ithaka, in the Ionian Islands of Greece
Travel advice on Ithaca (Ithaka or Ithaki) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do.
Paxos
Travel advice and information on Paxos near Corfu in the Ionian islands, information on ferries and flights, what to do in Gaios, Lakka and Longos or Loggos.
Greek Feta Cheese
Greek feta cheese is the most popular cheese in Greece, usually made from sheep’s milk, with a soft texture and salty taste and used to top off a Greek salad.
Kythira, or Kithira or Kithera, in the Ionian islands of Greece
Travel information about Kythira in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights to Kythira and the best things to do
Latest Posts
-
The Lesser-Known Traditions of Greek Easter
Step off the beaten path this spring and discover the enchanting — and often surprising — Easter traditions found across Greece. -
Easter in the Mystical Castle of Monemvasia
In the castle town of Monemvasia, with its dramatic medieval backdrop and sea views, Easter is a deeply spiritual and atmospheric experience. -
Sifnos: Greece’s Hidden Culinary Star on the Rise
Sifnos, a Cycladic island, is gaining fame for its rich culinary heritage, especially the beloved melopita honey-cheese tart. -
Easter in Leonidio: A Tapestry of Light, Culture and Cliffs
In Leonidio, Easter comes alive with handmade hot air balloons in the sky and lanterns made from bitter oranges in the streets. -
April 9 Strike in Greece to Impact Public Transport, Ferries and Air Travel
Transportation and travel across Greece will face disruptions on Wednesday, April 9, as public transport, ferry and aviation workers join a nationwide strike called by Greek labor unions. -
Ancient Theater of Lefkada Brought Fully to Light Following Systematic Excavation
The Greek Culture Ministry has announced that the first ancient theater ever identified in the Ionian Islands has recently been brought fully to light on Lefkada, revealing an impressive monument that… -
Seven Greek Traditions Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage
From traditional barrel-making to age-old folk dances, seven new entries on Greece’s National Inventory preserve the country’s living heritage for future generations. -
Greek Air Traffic Controllers to Hold 24-hour Strike, Disrupting Flights on April 9
The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Union have announced a 24-hour strike for Wednesday, April 9, in response to the protest called by the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY). The strike is being h… -
Ten Best Budget Hotels on Santorini
Greece Travel Secrets picks the ten best budget hotels on Santorini, some with caldera views, some near beaches and some close to the heart of Fira. -
No Ferries in Greece on April 9 as Seamen Join Nationwide Strike
The Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced its participation in the 24-hour strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) on Wednesday, April 9. The strike, which will…
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
