Moraitis Winery
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The traditional ways of vine growing combined with modern techniques of winemaking, assure that the unique characteristics of the indigenous grape varieties and Paros terroir are revealed.
Established in 1910 by Manolis T. Moraitis, the winery is steeped in family and island cultural tradition. Run by third generation wine makers, Moraitis Winery has advanced to using new technology in the wine-making process, yet still maintains high quality standards.
In 2000, the winery established a museum to highlight both their family wine-making tradition and the cultural influence of the island. Housed in the original building, the museum serves both as a historical display of artefacts as well as being used as an exhibit hall for artists. The family is happy to explain their personal history, the history of the winery, and the cultural aspects of the area in English or Greek. You can, of course, also purchase their award-winning wine and wine tasting is available as well.
Outside, a clear historical relic is displayed – a mule-drawn carriage that was once used to transport the wine to the shipping port. It shows years of wear, but the intricate decoration is colourful and details traditional Greek design. In the front courtyard area, the large stone well once used for water still has the original workings intact.
Visitors first view historical photographs of both the family and winery, which are displayed on the walls. When entering the main museum hall, patrons can see an original wooden grape press that shows how they first began making their famous wines. There are wooden scales with woven baskets used to weigh the grapes before processing. Some of the original wine barrels have been converted into tables, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and taking in the ambiance of the original building.
Within the same exhibit area, village costumes donated by the Music, Dance and Theatrical Group of Naoussa show traditional dress of the island. The women’s costume has a beautiful white lace headdress, with traditional layering of the dress itself. The men’s costume has a bright red cap, a white long-sleeved shirt under a black vest, and belted Capri-type pants.
Moving into the other hall, visitors see one of the hand-operated wine bottle corkers first used in 1967. Prior to this time, villagers could purchase wine to put in their own barrels or glass jars. Original transportation of the wine was first in large glass bottles and barrels which can be seen in the cellar. To the right of the area is a “suma” distillation unit, which shows the family once produced more than wine. Visitors can view the original lab through arched, wooden doweled windows. It is still used today and has one of two original wooden desks. There is a Great Hall with tables and chairs directly off the area that can be used for meetings or events.
As visitors move to the opposite side of the building they see three works of contemporary art by Michael Brady. The winery hosted an exhibit of his works – which capture the character of the island and are rich in colour – in the summer of 2005. Grateful to the winery, the artist donated three paintings.
A model of the type of ship used by great-grandfather Moraitis to transport the wine all over Greece was ordered by the winery and built by the Scorpios Museum near Aliki. It is housed in a display case with two separate original shipping logs. These show where the wine was shipped, who purchased it and for what cost. They even have visible stamps from the docking ports.
Near the second of the original wooden lab desks are two wooden cabinets. One cabinet holds various old wine bottles with the original labels, the other has various personal and business items from each generation. This includes lab equipment, great-grandfather’s eyeglasses and a pen set.
Visitors can take a complete tour of the winery, which takes you into the cellar area. Descending the stairs one can smell wine in the air. The original stone tanks were lined with porcelain to keep the wine cool during the fermenting process. From years of use the walls are stained red from the wine they held. Today, bottles and aging barrels of their famous red wine are stored in these areas. Here along the walkway are the original glass shipping bottles in wooden slatted baskets lined in straw.
Stepping back out into the courtyard, the new building stands as a sign of modernization. Inside are the stainless steel tanks that now thermally control the fermentation of the wine.
Proud of their winery and heritage this generation of wine-makers make their own contribution to the winery’s success. The distinct and rich past of family, business and culture of the island is tastefully displayed in the original building – a perfect way for visitors to Paros to experience first-hand the Moraitis Winery and island history.
In 2000, the winery established a museum to highlight both their family wine-making tradition and the cultural influence of the island. Housed in the original building, the museum serves both as a historical display of artefacts as well as being used as an exhibit hall for artists. The family is happy to explain their personal history, the history of the winery, and the cultural aspects of the area in English or Greek. You can, of course, also purchase their award-winning wine and wine tasting is available as well.
Outside, a clear historical relic is displayed – a mule-drawn carriage that was once used to transport the wine to the shipping port. It shows years of wear, but the intricate decoration is colourful and details traditional Greek design. In the front courtyard area, the large stone well once used for water still has the original workings intact.
Visitors first view historical photographs of both the family and winery, which are displayed on the walls. When entering the main museum hall, patrons can see an original wooden grape press that shows how they first began making their famous wines. There are wooden scales with woven baskets used to weigh the grapes before processing. Some of the original wine barrels have been converted into tables, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and taking in the ambiance of the original building.
Within the same exhibit area, village costumes donated by the Music, Dance and Theatrical Group of Naoussa show traditional dress of the island. The women’s costume has a beautiful white lace headdress, with traditional layering of the dress itself. The men’s costume has a bright red cap, a white long-sleeved shirt under a black vest, and belted Capri-type pants.
Moving into the other hall, visitors see one of the hand-operated wine bottle corkers first used in 1967. Prior to this time, villagers could purchase wine to put in their own barrels or glass jars. Original transportation of the wine was first in large glass bottles and barrels which can be seen in the cellar. To the right of the area is a “suma” distillation unit, which shows the family once produced more than wine. Visitors can view the original lab through arched, wooden doweled windows. It is still used today and has one of two original wooden desks. There is a Great Hall with tables and chairs directly off the area that can be used for meetings or events.
As visitors move to the opposite side of the building they see three works of contemporary art by Michael Brady. The winery hosted an exhibit of his works – which capture the character of the island and are rich in colour – in the summer of 2005. Grateful to the winery, the artist donated three paintings.
A model of the type of ship used by great-grandfather Moraitis to transport the wine all over Greece was ordered by the winery and built by the Scorpios Museum near Aliki. It is housed in a display case with two separate original shipping logs. These show where the wine was shipped, who purchased it and for what cost. They even have visible stamps from the docking ports.
Near the second of the original wooden lab desks are two wooden cabinets. One cabinet holds various old wine bottles with the original labels, the other has various personal and business items from each generation. This includes lab equipment, great-grandfather’s eyeglasses and a pen set.
Visitors can take a complete tour of the winery, which takes you into the cellar area. Descending the stairs one can smell wine in the air. The original stone tanks were lined with porcelain to keep the wine cool during the fermenting process. From years of use the walls are stained red from the wine they held. Today, bottles and aging barrels of their famous red wine are stored in these areas. Here along the walkway are the original glass shipping bottles in wooden slatted baskets lined in straw.
Stepping back out into the courtyard, the new building stands as a sign of modernization. Inside are the stainless steel tanks that now thermally control the fermentation of the wine.
Proud of their winery and heritage this generation of wine-makers make their own contribution to the winery’s success. The distinct and rich past of family, business and culture of the island is tastefully displayed in the original building – a perfect way for visitors to Paros to experience first-hand the Moraitis Winery and island history.