Founti Estate

The Founti Estate is located 4 km outside the city Naoussa, next to the settlement Nea Strantza.

The Founti winery started its operation in 1992 and currently (January 2019) produces 50 thousand bottles, with its exports (to America, Canada, Japan and Australia) reaching 40-50% of production. We met him at the winery to be visited Nikos Fountis together with his two daughters, the Georgia and Helen.

«We are Thracian refugees, my grandfather George Fountis He came here to Stranza in 1925. His first job was as a farmer in wheat and his second job was to plant a vineyard to make his own wine. My father continued and now I continue", Mr. Nikos proudly tells the family story. «I was a farmer, a mixed grower, growing peaches, apples and vines. But I was crazy about wine. At home, I have been busy since I can remember».

The 1992 Mr. Nikos decided to get some machinery and stainless steel tanks. He makes wine for himself and his friends, somewhere around 2 thousand bottles. In the 90's the peach began to be in demand, and then he decided to plant vines.

«In 2008 we had reached 80 thousand bottles, but the crisis hit us", Continues Mr. Nikos Fountis. «The 40 acres of our vineyard are xinomavro, and the rest Merlot and Malvazia aromatica. But Merlot's fashion is over and now it dominates single-variety wine. Sour black is a difficult variety to grow. It is sensitive to drought, as it is sensitive to many waters. It gives you great performance. You have to bring it to a place that does not have a very large production. If you command it, you bring it to excellent results. I used to be called "the madman", because I diluted the grapes from the vineyard, in order to improve the quality!».

7 different labels are produced: 3 red, one rosé and 3 white. The two PDO red wines (with a production of around 30 thousand bottles) of the Founti winery are "Naoussa" and "Ktima Founti". The "godmother" of the names of these two wines is the priestess of the Greek wine Stavroula Kourakou-Dragonas, to whom, as Nikos Fountis says, owes a lot, hence her photo dominates in a prominent position in the winery.

The thread of the continuation of the Founti estate has now been taken by his two daughters, Georgia -the eldest- and Eleni, both married, and Mr. Nikos's two sons-in-law are also involved. "They told me, oh find Nikos, not to have sons to take your job! And I answer them: I have daughters and sons now, and in fact ready! "

Hours of winery visits to the Founti Estate: daily 9am - 2pm and 5pm - 8pm