Athens, May 28, 2025 – In the grand ballroom of the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne, the 2025 edition of Great Greek Wines was officially unveiled, marking a standout moment for Greek wine, not only as a celebration of quality but as a bold repositioning on the global stage.
With increasing international recognition, Great Greek Wines has established itself as a reference point for both professionals and wine enthusiasts. More than merely an awards ceremony, it is described by its founder Yiannis Karakasis MW as a “working tool for the market” — a selective, content-driven system that highlights authenticity, excellence, and trendsetting wines from Greece.
The judging process occurred from May 1 to 4 at the Ace Hotel Athens & Swim Club, with 660 wines from 200 wineries in Greece and Cyprus evaluated through rigorous blind tastings by a panel of seven international experts.
In the end, only 65 wines — just 10 percent — received an award. An additional 30 wines were included in the newly introduced Great Value Wines list, recognizing top-quality wines under €17 (domestic market).
The GGW 2025 selection features 36 whites, 15 reds, 5 retsinas, 4 rosés, 3 skin-contact, and 2 sparkling wines, sourced from 49 wineries across Greece and Cyprus. This year’s highlight was the Moschofilero grape, with standout regions including Santorini, Crete, Tinos, and Kefalonia.
Two key innovations were introduced this year:
• Great Value Wines, highlighting affordability without compromising quality, and
• A sustainability focus, encouraging lighter bottle weights and more eco-conscious packaging.
Yiannis Karakasis MW, the founder of GGW, emphasized:
“Greek wine doesn’t need to impress. It needs to be consistent, grounded, and authentic. With each new edition, we aim to outline who the genuine protagonists of Greek wine are — those prepared to guide its next chapter.”
Gregory Michailos, GGW’s founding partner and Development Manager, added: “Nothing is left to chance. Every wine that makes it through the cut is there because it deserves to be. The blind tastings are done with absolute precision.”
[Giorgos Vitsaropoulos]
This year’s international judging panel included: Mark Andrew MW (UK), Paz Levinson (France), Christophe Heynen MW (Belgium), Lenka Sedlackova MW (UK), Wojciech Bonkowski MW (Poland), Peter Richards MW (UK) and Stefan Neumann MS (UK).
The award ceremony, held under the auspices and support of the Greek National Tourism Organization, welcomed over 300 guests, including Deputy Minister of Economy, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, senior tourism officials, and prominent figures from the global wine community.
Julia Harding MW, who awarded the Hall of Fame awards for wines that have won a prize three consecutive times, praised this year’s selection, saying:
“This year’s selection of Great Greek Wines once again demonstrates the continuing ascent of Greek wines – from so many regions, styles and grape varieties – to the highest quality, all the time highlighting the characteristics that make such wines unique to the vineyards and hard-working winegrowers of Greece. Tasting these wines was both a pleasure and a celebration.”
Mark Andrew MW, who joined via live video from London, added: “What stood out this year was the authenticity and personality of the wines. GGW is not just a competition — it’s a dynamic platform that takes these wines out into the world and positions them with clarity and relevance.”
Wojciech Bonkowski MW concluded: “Every wine-producing country would love to have a promotional engine like Great Greek Wines. It not only selects wines with typicity, quality, and vision — it communicates them in a way that resonates across global markets. This is the kind of initiative that creates true impact.”
The full list of this year’s winners is available at www.greatgreekwines.com
Great Greek Wines
(In alphabetical order)
1979 Wines, Kallos Thalassino 2022 Retsina, Macedonia (1,281 gr)
Akriotou Microwinery, Orivatis (The Mountaineer) Old Vines 2023 Savatiano, Mainland Greece (1,198 gr)
Alpha Estate, Ecosystem Assyrtiko Single Vineyard Aghia Kiriaki 2023, Macedonia (1,651 gr)
Alpha Estate, Rosé 2024 Xinomavro, Amyndeon (1,432 gr)
Amargiotakis Winery, Thrapsathiri 2023, Crete (1,303 gr)
Amargiotakis Winery, Vidiano 2023 Crete (1,308 gr)
Amyntas Winery, Blanc De Noir Brut NV Xinomavro, Macedonia (1,606 gr)
Anhydrous Winery, Afoura 2023, Santorini (1,435 gr)
Ktima Apostolidi, Vidi Anno 2024 Vidiano, Macedonia (1,301 gr)
Argyros Estate, Cuvée Gerontampelo 2020 Assyrtiko, Santorini (1,439 gr)
Argyros Estate, Cuvée Monsignori 2022 Assyrtiko, Santorini (1,429 gr)
Artemis Karamolegos Winery, Ftelos 2021 Assyrtiko, Santorini (1,426 gr)
Ktima Avantis, Agios Chronos Red 2022 Syrah/Viognier, Evia (1,587 gr)
Ktima Avantis, Mavrokoudoura 2020, Evia (1,235 gr)
Ktima Biblia Chora, Ovilos White 2023 Semillon/Assyrtiko, Pangaio (1,628 gr)
Estates Costa Lazaridi, Blanc de Blanc NV Vidiano Macedonia (1,678 gr)
Charalaboglou Wines, Viditis in Anthesis Vidiano 2023, Macedonia (1,314 gr)
Dougos Winery, Rapsani Old Vines 2022 Xinomavro/Krasato/Stavroto (1,312 gr)
Gavalas Winery, Enalia 2022 Assyrtiko, Santorini (1,597 gr)
Gavalas Winery, Natural Ferment 2023 Assyrtiko, Santorini (1,213 gr – 450 gr)
Gikas Winery, Pine Forest 2023 Retsina, Attica (1,305 gr)
Ktima Gofa, Kydonitsa Orange 2023, Peloponnese (1,457 gr)
Juliet and Romeo Wines, Moschofilero 2022, Peloponnese (1,458 gr)
Kechris Winery, Tear of the Pine 2023 Retsina, Macedonia (1,615 gr)
Kyperounda Winery, Akte 2024 Vertzami/Mavro, Limassol Cyprus (1,398 gr)
Lyrarakis Winery, Dafni Psarades 2024, Crete (1,292 gr)
Lyrarakis Winery, Liatiko Aggelis 2022, Crete (1,315 gr)
Makarounas Vineyards, Morokanella 2024, Paphos/ Cyprus (1,264 gr)
Makarounas Vineyards, Spourtiko 2023, Paphos/ Cyprus (1,262 gr)
Makarounas Vineyards, Yiannoudi 2023, Paphos/ Cyprus (1,251 gr)
Markovitis Winery, Naoussa Xinomavro 2017 (1,319 gr)
Markovitis Winery, Xinomavro Rosé 2023, Macedonia (1,287 gr)
Ktima Matsa, Malagousia 2024, Attica (1,148 gr)
Mikra Thira, Nykteri 2023, Santorini (1,595 gr)
Mikra Thira, Santorini 2023 (1,597 gr)
Mikra Thira, Santorini 2022 (1,589 gr)
Mitravelas, Red on Black Nemea 2024 Agiorgitiko, Nemea (1,232 gr)
Moinoterra Winery, Vilana 2023, Crete (1,328 gr)
Monemvasia Winery/Tsimbidi, Kydonitsa 2023, Peloponnese (1,227 gr)
Mylonas Winery, Cuvée Vouno Savatiano 2021, Attica (1,312 gr)
Château Nico Lazaridi, Perpetuus Semillon 2023, Macedonia (1,642 gr)
Novus Winery, A Priori Mantinia 2024 Moschofilero, Peloponnese (1,207 gr)
Oeno P, Tria Ampelia Pithari 2022, Santorini (1,502 gr)
Oenops Wines, Limniona 2022, Thessaly (1,429 gr)
Orealios Gaea, San Gerasimo 2024 Robola, Cephalonia (1,368 gr)
Ktima Orfanos, Malagousia -The Wine Labourers 2023, Peloponnese (1,283 gr)
Papargyriou Winery, Cuvée Helene Goustolidi 2024, Peloponnese (1,397 gr)
Papargyriou Winery, Le Vigneron Grec 2024 Assyrtiko/Muscat, Peloponnese (1400 gr)
Domaine Paterianakis, Melissokipos 2023 Kotsifali/Mandilari, Crete (1,232 gr)
Rouvalis Winery, Tsigello Mavrodaphne 2023, Aigialeia/Peloponnese (1,318 gr)
Rouvalis Winery, Roditis Single Vineyard Katarachi 2022, Aigialeia/Peloponnese (1,307 gr)
Sant’ Or Winery, Santameriana Skin Contact 2024 Peloponnese (1,158 gr) – SUSTAINABILTY AWARD
Sarris Winery, Robola of Kefalonia 2024, Cephalonia (1,214 gr)
Scaperdas Frères, Hommage Rosé NV Xinomavro, Macedonia (1,638 gr)
Domaine Sigalas, Santorini 2024 Assyrtiko, Santorini (1,359 gr)
Skevofilax Winery, Pine Ritinitis 2024 Retsina, Aegean Islands (1,205 gr)
Sotiriou Winery, Stamna 2024 Mavrodaphne , Mainland Greece (1,204 gr)
T-Oinos, Clos Stegasta Assyrtiko 2022, Tinos (1,365 gr)
T-Oinos, Clos Stegasta Mavrotragano 2022, Tinos (1,369 gr)
Troupis Winery, Pitys Ritinitis 2024 Retsina, Peloponnese (1,396 gr)
Troupis Winery, Route Gris 2023 Moschofilero, Peloponnese (1,289 gr)
Troupis Winery, Hoof & Lur 2024 Moschofilero, Peloponnese (1,295 gr)
Vaptistis Winery, Mavrotragano 2023, Tinos (1,307 gr)
Vouni Panayia, The Rebel 2024 Maratheftiko, Paphos/ Cyprus (1,339 gr)
Ktima Zafeirakis, Limniona Young Vineyards 2021, Thessaly (1,412 gr)
Hall of Fame Award
Amargiotakis Winery, Thrapsathiri, Crete
Gavalas Winery, Natural Ferment Assyrtiko, Santorini
Mikra Thira, Santorini
Oenops Wines, Limniona, Thessaly
Troupis Winery, Pitys Ritinitis Retsina, Peloponnese
Troupis Winery, Route Gris Moschofilero, Peloponnese