Stelios Tsiris is the long-time winemaker at Mega Spileo, a Cavino winery in the Patras PDO, on the Peloponnese of Greece. He was born in Athens in 1975 and studied at the Faculty of Wine and Spirits, completing his oenology training in 1997. Stelios has worked as a winemaker in the Achaia region since 1996, and since 2001 he has been part of CAVINO and the historic Mega Spileo Estate. It seemed inevitable that he would eventually return to the place his family came from. After finishing his studies, he headed to his mother’s birthplace in Aigio — the same land where his grandfather once grew vineyards and made wine for the workers on his farm. Those early images shaped his path and quietly set the course for his future in winemaking.
He describes Aigio as the place “where the mountains arrive at the Gulf of Corinth,” a landscape of sharp altitude changes, shifting sun exposure, and steep inclines. These variations create a mosaic of micro-terroirs within remarkably short distances, making the region an undiscovered treasure for viticulture. There, he and his team work with international varieties to benchmark and understand the region’s capabilities, while also reviving nearly lost local grapes that were devastated by phylloxera decades ago.
Media Inquiries: Syros Lemanis estate@megaspileo.gr | https://megaspileo.gr/en/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
The Mega Spileo Estate is the revival of a historical vineyard established by the monks of the Homonym monastery. In the 16th century, they built an installation in the middle of the amphitheatric vineyard in front of the riff of Vouraikos. That way, they were able to stay there growing the vineyard, vinifying, and sending the wine to the main monastery for its needs. It is a long history and an astonishing place that invites visitors to experience the peaceful vibe of the environment in simplicity.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
I would definitely make a few guest rooms in the vineyard, so people can have a complete experience of hospitality and experience the uniqueness of this place. Unfortunately, there are limits to what can be done with UNESCO World Heritage sites.
What is One Wine of the most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
For sure, the Mega Spileo Estate red, which is a blend of 2 local grape varieties: Mavrodaphne and Mavro Kalavritino. It is a rare and unique blend and expresses the character of the terroir. Read my review of the estate red here.
Bonus Question: Why Winemaking?
Because it is always challenging. It is never boring. It requires scientific knowledge, but also feeling and imagination!
It is always creative, and each detail will affect the final product in the present or till the far future. It is part of the gastronomy, part of our culture.