OUR COMPANY
Vine cultivation throughout Epirus, and particularly in Zitsa, is very old, its wines were renowned not only in the Epirus but further beyond. Initial attempts to establish winery in Zitsa region began in 1939, but the war and the alien occupation stopped such plans.
Finally in 1954, the wine growers of the region founded the first wine cooperative (Οινοποιητικός Συνεταιρισμός) but with small facilities. In 1974, the modern winery of Agricultural Cooperative Union of Ioannina (Ένωση Αγροτικών Συνεταιρισμών Ιωαννίνων) was established.
The first winery cooperative organized in NW Greece, and since 1972 the wines of Zitsa zone has been recognized and regulated as Protected Designation of Origin of Wines (ΟΠΑΠ). The winery of Zitsa is going through a brilliant course in history and simultaneously makes the wine of Zitsa known, with its particular features, as lend by the rare variety of Debina both in the Greek market but also outside the country.
On June 2006, the Winery of Zitsa makes the next decisive step, to distract itself from the Agricultural Cooperative Union of Ioannina and created the ZOINOS S.A. The latter in response to the new requirements of the market, has been reorganized and set new goals.
In recent years, the Company is implementing an investment programme for the modernization and expansion of the winery, so to be classified in the most modern plants of this industry. While, the vinification of its wines is made through innovative growing and wine-making methods, while maintaining its original character, which is given by the peculiarity of the Debina variety and the microclimate in Zitsa.
Nowadays, ZOINOS S.A. is a modern, innovative, high quality and perspective Company, a leader amongst winemaking companies throughout Greece. While it is actively participating in larger events and industrial associations, such as Wines of North Greece – Wine Roads of Northern Greece KEOSOE, PASEGES EDOAO (ΚΕΟΣΟΕ, ΠΑΣΕΓΕΣ, ΕΔΟΑΟ), Union of Wine Products Distillers. In some of those unions, ZOINOS S.A. is participating with representatives to the managerial bodies.
THE LAND…
Zitsa is located in the Prefecture of Epirus, in Ioannina Region, 27 kilometers south of the the city. Epirus, and namely Zitsa, in the vineyard and wine- growing level ,one constitute one of the most important regions throughout Greece and perhaps throughout Europe, with a cold climate that is considered the Holy Grail of modern wine production.
The Zitsa is located at an altitude of 700 m. with orientation towards the coasts of Ionian Sea. Its climate is temperate with mild winters and cool summers, resulting from the airs of the Ionian Sea, coming through the gorges of Kalama and Arahthos rivers to the center of the mountainous volumes. The rains are throughout the year abundant, except the summer months, which are dry. So the soil is suitable for the qualitative and in small yields cultivation of Debina variety.
The wine-growing zone of Zitsa has received for its wines the PDO designation in 1972 and includes six communities (Zitsa, Protopappas, Karitsa, Ligopsia, Klimatia, Gavrisioi) with total cultivated area of about 1700 acres.
The Philosophy…
Primary objective of the Company was the rescue of the rare wine region of Zitsa, preserving the cooperation amongst wine-growers in the region and creating high quality wines from indigenous varieties of Debina, Vlachiko and Bekari. Over the years, this original goal was reached, setting the stage for a further development of ZOINOS S.A.
Today, Company is collaborating with a large number of producers, applying the most modern cultivation and vinification methods for both indigenous and international varieties like Chardonnay, Traminer, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and is continually investing in upgrading the quality of the products, managing simultaneously the best possible value for money.
Equipped with tradition, passion, technology, knowledge, respect towards the consumer and a long experience, ZOINOS S.A. aspires to offer in the years quality wines and distillates, with particular aromas and features that will make every palate … traveling to the Epirotic and Zitsa’s landscapes.
