Kechri Winery

With a vision to revive retsina’s reputation, Stelios Kechris defied the perception of the wine as low-quality and invested in KECHRIBARI, a family product since 1939. Taking over Kechri Winery in 1984, Stelios brought his expertise from the Faculty of Chemistry in Thessaloniki and a degree in Oenology from Dijon, France. Through dedication and innovative vinification methods, he transformed KECHRIBARI into the first retsina to win an international wine competition in the late 1990s, marking a turning point for this traditional Greek wine.

Building on this success, Kechri Winery introduced TEAR OF THE PINE, a pioneering retsina crafted from Assyrtiko and aged in oak barrels, the only retsina with the potential to age. Developed with the contribution of Stelios' daughter, Eleni Kechri, this wine elevated retsina’s status on the global stage. KECHRIBARI and TEAR OF THE PINE are now celebrated as milestones in Greek wine history, overcoming past stereotypes and showcasing retsina as a modern, world-class wine with a bright future.