Sellas Winery (Greece)
AUGUST 2024
Considering that ancient Greece is the O.G. for grape cultivation, wines from that part of the world remain relatively obscure in Seattle. Your club wines are from a family-owned winery in PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Nemea, a small appellation in Southern Greece, the wine region that encompasses Crete, Kefalonia and the Peloponnese peninsula.
The two wines in your club are a white blend of Assyrtiko & Roditis and a red made from the Agiorgitiko grape. Classic, fresh, tasty Greek wines, and probably grapes you've never tried (or even hear of) which is so fun. Enjoy!
Sellas Winery
ΟΙΝΟΠΟΙΪΑ ΣΕΛΛΑΣ
Athanasios Sellas' father started cultivating vines in Nemea in the 1950's. When Athanasios took over the land in 2000, he decided to invest in a winery and start their own line of estate wines. The estate has 8 hectares of private vineyards, and then they contract with 15 other producers around Nemea and specifically around the sub-region of Ancient Kleones for additional grapes.
The family's favorite varietal is Agiorgitiko (the red in your club), but they also grow Savvatiano, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Roditis, Moschofilero, Malagouzia and Assyrtiko. In the next years, they have plans to plant 5 hectares of native Greek varieties. Their wines are certified organic & vegan.
Sellas 2023 Rizes White
Peloponnese, Greece • Reg $14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
A blend of Assyrtiko & Roditis. Nose is full of white flowers with pears in the background. Flavors are soft, light (alc = 12%). Beautiful flavors of honeydew melon, pears and firm, flavorful peaches. Nice, dry, citrusy, kind of earthy finish. Just an interesting, fun wine. In honor of the Olympics. Drink now. Enjoy with seafood of all sorts.
Sellas 2023 Rizes Red
Peloponnese, Greece • Reg $14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
100% Agiorgitiko. Exciting red fruits on the nose. Raspberries (red & black), red plums, red cherries. Great acidity. Light & fresh. Alc = 12.5%. Light enough for white fish (trout, halibut) but enough going on for burgers, sausages, charcuterie, or a lamb skewer with a Greek salad. Drink now to 1 year.
Meet Importer Nikos Spiliopoulos
Nikos opened the original Shop Agora on Phinney in 2007, moving to Capitol Hill in 2010. He feeds this Mediterranean specialty shop & restaurant with an import business – Toxo Imports – where he can sell to other businesses around the city as well. "We love food, and we love wine, and we are focused on small businesses" showing off the goodness of the Mediterranean culinary tradition. Curious to learn more? Go pay him a visit.
Note: That's Nikos pictured with the Sellas family at the top of the email as well!
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Hope you can join us for the tasting. These wines truly take you there!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop