Mantinia PDO

Mantinia PDO sits on a high inland plateau in the Arcadia region of the Peloponnese, centered near the city of Tripoli. The appellation covers 620 hectares across 11 municipalities, with vineyard elevations ranging from 600 to 800 meters and a plateau average of 660 meters. The plateau is encircled by mountains including Mainalo, Oligirto, Artemisio, Ktenia, and Parnonas, which shape the local climate and protect the vines.

• Elevation ranges from 600 to 800 meters, plateau average 660 meters
• Surrounded by five mountain ranges: Mainalo, Oligirto, Artemisio, Ktenia, and Parnonas
• Located in Arcadia, Peloponnese, near the city of Tripoli
• Covers 11 municipalities across 620 hectares

Despite its relatively southern latitude, Mantinia is one of Greece's coldest wine-growing regions. The climate is continental with Mediterranean influences, bringing cool temperatures, high rainfall, and snow in winter. Soils are sandy loam to clay loam, limestone-rich, well-drained, and nutrient-poor. These conditions combine to slow grape ripening and extend the growing season, pushing harvest into mid-October.

• Continental climate with Mediterranean influences; one of Greece's coldest wine regions
• Soils are sandy loam to clay loam, limestone-rich, well-drained, and nutrient-poor
• Late harvest typically falls in mid-October due to the cool, slow-ripening conditions
• High rainfall and snowfall in winter contribute to the cool vineyard environment

Moschofilero is the heart of Mantinia PDO, required at a minimum of 85% in all PDO wines. The grape is notable for being pink-skinned yet almost always vinified as a white wine. It produces wines with pronounced floral aromas, including rose petal and citrus, alongside high natural acidity and low alcohol. Asproudes is the only other permitted variety within the appellation.

• Moschofilero must make up at least 85% of PDO wines
• Pink-skinned grape vinified as white wine, a distinctive technical characteristic
• Signature aromas include rose petal and citrus; high acidity and low alcohol are hallmarks
• Asproudes is the permitted co-variety alongside Moschofilero

Winemaking in Mantinia dates back to ancient times, with the region mentioned in Homer's epics. The area is also home to the Pausanias vine, considered the world's oldest vineyard. A landmark moment came in 1898 when the Papageorgiadis brothers produced the first Greek sparkling wine here, a wine that won a silver medal at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition. Mantinia was established as a PDO in 1971 and is also noted as one of the first Greek regions to practice organic viticulture.

• Winemaking tradition referenced in Homer's epics; home to the Pausanias vine, the world's oldest vineyard
• First Greek sparkling wine produced in 1898 by the Papageorgiadis brothers
• That sparkling wine won a silver medal at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition
• Granted PDO status in 1971; among the first Greek regions to adopt organic viticulture

Mantinia PDO produces dry white and sparkling wines. Still whites are the traditional style, known for their aromatic intensity, floral character, and refreshing acidity. Sparkling wines became officially permitted under the PDO regulations in October 2012, adding a new dimension to the appellation's output. Notable producers working in the region include Boutari, Tselepos, Domaine Spiropoulos, Troupis Winery, Semeli, Bosinakis Winery, Kalogeropoulos Winery, and Cambas.

• Both dry still whites and sparkling wines are permitted under the PDO
• Sparkling wine production officially sanctioned since October 2012
• Still whites are aromatic and floral with high acidity and low alcohol
• Eight notable producers are established in the appellation