Hidden in the embrace of three great mountains — Falakro, Menikio, and Pangaio — lies “Ktima Pavlidi” in the area of Kokkinogeia, Drama. The estate’s geographic formation creates a unique microclimate for its vineyards, with cool night winds that provide an extended ripening period for the grapes and impart strong aromatic characteristics to every drop of the company’s produced wine.

According to Athanasios Exarchou, the oenologist at “Ktima Pavlidi,” who welcomed us and guided us through the winery’s aesthetically refined spaces, the primary goal of the company since its establishment in 1998 has been the production of fine, high-quality wines.

The company has a presence in the domestic market and simultaneously exports its nine different wine labels to more than 15 countries. In its exclusively owned vineyards, both Greek and international grape varieties are cultivated, with the constant aim of highlighting the distinctive character of the soils (terroir) of the Drama region, which has been renowned since antiquity for its vineyards. The company’s production reaches 500,000 bottles annually from its 850 acres located in the areas of Kokkinohori, demonstrating its commitment to quality.

The global wine market is one of the most competitive, which is why it is so important for winemaking businesses not only to maintain but also to continuously improve the quality of the wines they produce, Mr. Exarchou shares with us. In this endeavor, investment in research and innovation appears to be the only way forward for these companies.

The philosophy of the “Ktima Pavlidis” team, which is always seeking new ways to improve the quality of the company’s wines and to meet the increasingly sophisticated sensory criteria of consumers, embraces the above understanding.

Exarchou: For each new harvest, we experiment in the vineyard with different grape varieties, lower yields, etc., as well as in the winery with different temperatures, various yeasts during fermentations, and so on.

In this direction, the project “Exploitation of the microbial terroir of the vineyards of Ktima Pavlidis for the enhancement of the unique characteristics of local wines – Pavlidis_Terroir” contributed significantly. This project was included in the action “Investment Plans for Innovation, Research, and Business Development in the sectors of the Regional Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3), within the framework of the Operational Program ‘Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 2014 – 2020’.”

The purpose of this Action was to support research and development projects for products and/or services that have emerged through the process of business discovery, by assisting existing companies investing in Innovation and/or Research and Development within the sectors of the Regional Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region. Specifically, it targeted the sectors of Agri-food, Tourism & Culture, Materials and Innovative Materials, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Health, Environment, Energy and Hybrid Technologies, Electronic/Electrical Equipment, and Information & Communication Technologies (ICT).

The “Pavlidis_Terroir” project was implemented with the valuable collaboration of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Democritus University of Thrace. Its aim was to utilize the microbial terroir of the company’s vineyards to develop higher added-value products that will help the company meet the challenges of the sector by creating new products with a distinctive local character. For its successful completion, the project involved cooperation among the laboratories of Molecular Developmental Biology & Molecular Neurobiology, Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, and Molecular Regulation and Development of Diagnostic Technology.

Exarchou: Programs such as the “Innovation Investment Plans” highlight the necessity of interaction between private sector enterprises and the country’s higher education institutions, helping us to come closer to each other.

A particularly important trend in the field, according to Mr. Exarchou, is wines that give those who taste them the ability to recognize their origin through their distinctive characteristics. Products with this quality captivate wine lovers worldwide, simultaneously increasing their value.

From this perspective, in recent years, countries with significant wine production such as France, Italy, and Spain have shown strong interest in utilizing indigenous microorganisms of the grape to enhance the uniqueness of local wines.

Within the framework of the “Pavlidis_Terroir” project, the research team from the University collected samples of the Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko varieties from the vineyards of the company Ktima Pavlidi. Subsequently, they isolated and studied indigenous strains of fungi, successfully identifying three new yeast strains which were used individually and in combination in experimental small-scale vinifications. These were followed by sensory analyses of the wine and tasting by the public. Ultimately, two strains were selected for semi-industrial scale vinification using Assyrtiko must.

We had the opportunity to taste and evaluate the first samples of this wine, produced by utilizing the unique fungal strains found in the vineyards of “Ktima Pavlidi,” as prospective consumers during two events presenting the results of the “Pavlidis_Terroir” project, organized by #enaevents.

The successful “fermentation” between the researchers of Democritus University of Thrace and the specialized team of the company “Ktima Pavlidi” resulted in the production of a unique product with distinctive local characteristics, as both the raw materials and the yeast strains used originated from the vineyards of “Ktima Pavlidi.”

Exarchou: Introducing a yeast that can enhance the aromatic profile of our wines, providing a distinct intensity and complexity, allows us to further elevate their quality.

The company "Ktima Pavlidis" collaborated with the specialized team of ena Development Consultants for the submission and implementation of its investment plan within the framework of the action “Investment Plans for Innovation, Research & Business Development” and with the #enaevents team for the design and organization of two dissemination events presenting the project results, which took place in May 2022 at the company’s winery in Kokkinohoria, Drama and in, March 2023 at the Prefecture of Evros, Alexandroupoli.

After the successful completion of the first phase of the “Pavlidis_Terroir” project, “Ktima Pavlidis” is now able to utilize the identified strains for producing wines with a unique local character and high added value, thereby increasing its competitiveness.

Moreover, as good collaborations tend to mature over time like fine wine, the company is simultaneously preparing for its next partnership with Democritus University of Thrace within the upcoming “Research – Innovate” program expected to be announced soon.

Indeed, the success of projects like “Pavlidis_Terroir” clearly demonstrates that collaboration between the academic and business worlds can generate new high-quality products with significant added value, promoting innovation and growth while enhancing business competitiveness.

We warmly thank “Ktima Pavlidis” and Mr. Exarchou personally for their hospitality, the tour, and the pleasant discussion during our visit. We also thank the team of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Democritus University of Thrace, especially Prof. Maria Grigoriou, Professor of Molecular Development and Biology, for the excellent collaboration and for sharing all the necessary information for the “Pavlidis_Terroir” project.

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