My first winery tribute could not be out of the Messenia region since it is the area where I grew up and lived for the last few years. 

Also, the choice of the Oinotropai Winery in Zevgolatio Messinia is not by chance. The effort that they have made has upscaled the whole region. The wines are lovely, and the connection between price and quality is excellent. In my opinion, this is one of the best wineries in Messenia, and I hope more actions like this one appear in the future that will highlight the virtue of the area.  

Vasilis Kapopoulos, and his wife Maria, who has run the winery for the last few years, opened the doors for us and spoke about their venture.

"My father planted the varieties Carignan, Tempranillo, Merlot, and Chardonnay in the '80s. I used to help in the vineyard activities from a young age, and since I was 17, I already knew what I wanted to do. I finished my studies in agriculture, and after 2005 I took on the responsibility of the vineyards. I dreamt of quality wine production as a child, and finally, in 2014 it came true.

And perhaps they are new in wine production but not in viticulture since the vines are 35 years old. The 60 acres of vineyards are privately owned, and the goal is a natural balance. Vasilis explained, "We want to create a balance in our vines where they will produce quality grapes without our intervention.

"All the vines are fertiliser and irrigation free because we encourage them to develop deep roots. This way leads us to balance the vineyard successfully. As a result, the yields are kept low, and even in challenging weather, the grapes keep the quality without our engagement.

"The soil is clay with good water retention. The summers are warm, but the high-temperature contrast between day and night allows the grapes to maintain their natural acidity at perfect levels and mature appropriately. Furthermore, affected by the Ionian Sea's aura after 10.00 am till the evening, the vines cooled down and dismissed any moisture that could cause problems. So, despite the hot climate of Messenia, the microclimate here is quite different, and we have accustomed our practices to it.

"I found the international varieties from my father, and now I have the luck to own 35 years old Carignan vines. A challenging variety that you should wait many years to produce quality wines. Overall, the cultivated international varieties have fit in the area's terroir.

"We chose to plant Mavrotragano and Roditis varieties because we love them. I believe very much in Roditis, and I think that he has been misjudged. If the circumstances allow it, we will continue planting. I think Mavrotragano matches well with the area's climate as it originates from the Cyclades, which has been proven durable to heat. We aim to make our first bottling next year.

All the wines of the winery are under the brand name Roes, and we tasted: 

• Roditis 2019

• Chardonnay 2018

• Merlot Rosé 2019

• Tempranillo 2017

• Carignan 2018 and the fantastic 2017