A boutique winery that shows another side of Igoumenitsa
Just a few minutes outside Igoumenitsa, in Parapotamos, Thesprotia, there is a place that shows a different side of the region: not beaches, ferries and summer crossings to Corfu or Italy, but vineyards, rare native grape varieties and small-batch wine in the Kalamas valley.
Zervas Winery is a family-run boutique winery that has begun to stand out in recent years for the quality of its wines, its modern approach to production and a very personal style of hospitality. It is one of those places that do not shout, but have a lot to tell you, in the glass and in the landscape around it.
A modern boutique winery in the heart of Thesprotia
The winery sits in Parapotamos, roughly 15 minutes by road from the port of Igoumenitsa, in a green area with views over the Kalamas valley and the Mourgana mountains. The estate vineyard covers about 35 stremmata (around 3.5 hectares), planted with Greek and local varieties, with a particular focus on the rare Asproudi of Thesprotia and on Mavroudi. The philosophy is small production, low intervention and a natural expression of the local terroir; annual production does not exceed 22,000 bottles, the scale of a genuine boutique project.
The 800 m² building itself is designed to use gravity in the winemaking process, which reduces the use of pumps and keeps the character of the grape as authentic as possible. Many stages are done by hand, and the winery is going through certification as a bioclimatic building.
The terroir of the Thyamis valley
If the wines here have nerve and a clean expression, geography is the reason. The area is influenced by cold air masses coming down from the Mourgana range, while the river Thyamis (Kalamas) creates a steady breeze and a strong difference between day and night temperatures. That difference is the key: in the evening the temperature drops noticeably, which helps the grapes keep acidity and freshness, while humidity supports an even ripening. The soils beside the river drain naturally, and together this makes a terroir that favours wines with character and authenticity.
Asproudi: the rare grape of Epirus
If one variety is tied to Zervas Winery, it is Asproudi. It is an aromatic white grape grown mainly in Epirus and north-western Greece, and for many years it was almost forgotten, pushed aside by more commercial varieties and barely known outside the prefecture. The father of the family had begun planting it on the family land; the younger generation saw an opportunity to give a voice again to an old native white grape.
Instead of taking the easy road of well-known varieties, the winery invested years of experimentation in Asproudi: new plantings in different vineyard sites, low yields per hectare, and four different vinifications of the same variety, each with its own character. The result is wines with intense aromas, freshness, balanced acidity and a very distinct personality, from strict, mineral styles to more gastronomic ones with fuller body. It is a variety you will hardly meet elsewhere in Greece, and perhaps the most convincing reason to drive up to Parapotamos. Tasting Asproudi here, where it was born, you understand why it has started to stand out on the map of Greek wine.
Which wines to try
Besides the two versions of Asproudi, the range includes reds, a rosé and Malagousia. All labels are listed at zervaswinery.gr/our-wines.
- Asproudi Cuvée Wild Fermentation: the most characteristic expression of Asproudi. Made only with wild, native yeasts; aromas of flowers, peach and honey with light minerality, and a full palate that balances freshness and richness.
- Asproudi Orange: the winery’s most unusual label. An orange wine with skin contact, native yeasts and four months on the lees; aromas of citrus, bergamot and orange blossom, with a structured palate and soft tannins.
- Pink Not: the winery’s rosé. A wine that defies expectations: the name is ironic, the taste is not. Made from native varieties of the area, with freshness, character and a very personal way of expressing rosé.
- Terra Argilla Malagousia: a more mineral version of Malagousia, with crisp acidity and a citrus finish.
- Hyades (white, rosé, red) and Thiamis: the labels that complete the range and give a full picture of the winery’s style.
In visitor reviews, Malagousia and Pink Not are often mentioned as favourites. Several of the wines have already won awards.
The visit
Since 2022 Zervas Winery has been open to visitors, with wine tasting, guided tours, events and cooking workshops. A visit usually starts with a walk through the vineyard and the production areas, where you can see how the building uses gravity in winemaking, and ends with a tasting with a view over the Kalamas valley.
The experience is closer to a wine trip in the Italian countryside than to a classic tasting: a calm, personal setting where the people of the winery explain everything themselves, from the philosophy behind each label to how the price of a wine is formed. That directness is what stands out in almost every review. Many visitors arrive spontaneously, without an appointment, and end up staying for hours; a favourite comment in the reviews is that it is hard to make yourself leave. Ideally, leave a little extra time for the sunset over the vineyards. The place is also pet friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend.
Why it is worth a visit
If you are staying in Igoumenitsa or Sivota and want something different from the classic beaches and day trips, Zervas Winery is one of the most distinctive experiences in the area. It combines local character, genuine hospitality, rare Greek varieties and a modern aesthetic, and it shows a side of Thesprotia that most travellers pass by, in a hurry for the next ship.
It is also a good stop before or after the ferry from the port of Igoumenitsa: at roughly 15 minutes away, you can turn a simple wait for boarding into a small, memorable tasting experience. And if you love wine, combine it with the other boutique winery of the area, Markatselis Winery (page in Greek), for a full wine weekend in Thesprotia.
Useful information
- Address: Parapotamos, Thesprotia, 461 00
- Distance: about 15 minutes by road from the port of Igoumenitsa
- Website: zervaswinery.gr
- Phone: +30 697 277 2467
- Email: zervaswinery@gmail.com
- Opening: an appointment is required on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Please confirm by phone before you go.
Combine your visit
If you are planning a day trip, you can combine the winery with:
- our guide What to do in Igoumenitsa
- where to stay in Igoumenitsa
- the beaches of Sivota
- a stop at the river Acheron
- the Archaeological Museum of Igoumenitsa or the archaeological site of ancient Gitana
- dinner in Igoumenitsa after the wine tasting
Nearby and worth combining
Frequently asked questions about Zervas Winery
Where is Zervas Winery?
In Parapotamos, Thesprotia, roughly 15 minutes by road from the port of Igoumenitsa, in the valley of the river Kalamas.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday an appointment is required. On other days you can drop in, but a phone confirmation on +30 697 277 2467 is recommended.
What does the visit include?
A tour of the estate vineyards and the production areas, an explanation of gravity-based winemaking, and a wine tasting with a view over the Kalamas valley. From time to time the winery also organises cooking workshops and special events.
Which wine should I try first?
Asproudi, the rare native grape of Epirus, is the flagship of the estate and comes in two versions: Asproudi Cuvée Wild Fermentation and Asproudi Orange. The crisp Malagousia and Pink Not are also excellent choices.
Is the winery pet friendly?
Yes, you can enjoy your tasting with your dog.
How long do the tour and tasting take?
A typical visit takes one to two hours, although many visitors stay longer to enjoy the sunset over the valley.
Is it a good stop before the ferry?
Yes. It is close to the port of Igoumenitsa, which makes it a relaxed last stop before boarding a ship to Corfu or Italy. Allow enough time and do not cut it close to your check-in.