Karimalis Winery

10/01/2025
best practices, Businesses

Title - Name

Karimalis Winery

Scope / Sector / Industry

Agri-wine tourism

Country / Region

Greece, Ikaria

Why is it good practice?

The Karimalis Winery is regarded as a model of best practice in agro-wine tourism, as its mode of operation and the services it offers are closely aligned with the Ikarian way of life. Known for the gentle rhythms of daily life, far removed from stress, as well as for the healthy lifestyle of its inhabitants, Ikaria is a major tourist destination for anyone seeking a way to achieve longevity. The Karimalis Winery is a business that promotes this unique way of life in many ways, and visitors have the opportunity to experience it first-hand through the authentic experiences it offers.

How is it applied?

The Karimalis Winery is situated on Ikaria, on a 50-acre estate. According to the records in the Karimalis family’s possession, the family has been cultivating vines and producing wine for at least five centuries. Initially, the family’s sole activity was the winery, but over the years it began to operate as an agritourism business and to engage in wine tourism as well. Today, the estate comprises the winery, two of the family’s four vineyards (the other two are situated in other parts of the island), planted with local grape varieties, and two restored traditional Ikarian stone houses, which have been renovated with particular attention to architectural style and sensitivity in the choice of materials (wood, stone, cane, fabric, traditional metals, etc.).

In addition to the stone houses, two stone mills have been preserved: a small one for grinding grain and a large one for producing olive oil. The “petalo” is also preserved; this is an old wine press in which the family’s ancestors used to make wine. Furthermore, in various locations there are olive trees, fruit trees, a vegetable garden and a small farm with livestock and poultry.

As part of the running of the agri-tourism unit, the Karimalis family created authentic experiences for the estate’s guests, based on the Ikarian way of life. These experiences are summarised below:

Tasting experiences, which include a walk through the estate’s vineyard and a tour of the winery, as well as wine tastings accompanied by dishes from the estate (sourdough bread, goat’s cheese, vegetables, olives, etc.). There is also a demonstration of the traditional method of wine-making on Ikaria, featuring a guided tour of the traditional wine press and the old wine cellar, both of which are situated on and maintained within the estate.
Breakfast consisting of produce sourced directly from the gardens and the farm’s animals (e.g. hand-kneaded sourdough bread, handmade jams, spoon sweets and petimezi, goat’s milk and cheese, fresh eggs, seasonal fruit and vegetables, herbal tea, tahini with Ikarian honey, Greek coffee, etc.).
Meals based on local recipes, prepared using ingredients grown on the estate itself. The meals are mostly vegetarian and cooked gently to preserve all their nutrients.
Ikarian cookery classes, focusing mainly on vegetarian cuisine.
Hiking tours with stops at the island’s cultural monuments.
Cycling routes, on mountain bikes, along the forest tracks around the estate.
Group afternoon run in the mountains, 5–10 km.
Ikariotic dance lessons.
Morning training based on martial arts.
Archery activities on the estate.
Taking part in the harvest and picking of the estate’s grapes.
Involvement in the production of petimezi.
Involvement in the production of raisins and the drying of other fruits.
A selection of fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, herbs and spices.
Collection and drying of aromatic plants.
Milking the estate’s goats and cheese production.
Collection of eggs from the hens on the estate.
Feeding the estate’s animals and birds (goats and hens).

In addition to the services provided by the winery, another important reason why Karimalis Winery is a model wine tourism business is that it makes a significant effort to provide services with a focus on sustainability. In this context, all the family’s vineyards, crops and agricultural activities have been certified as organic by the Organisation for the Control and Certification of Organic Products, whilst all the wines produced bear the Ikaria Protected Geographical Indication and are produced with minimal intervention. Furthermore, the entire facility is supported by numerous eco-friendly measures that operate in accordance with the principles of sustainability, as well as by recycling and alternative energy generation systems.

The sustainability of the estate is achieved in a variety of ways, examples of which are set out below:

Construction of a hybrid water heating system, which is used both for domestic purposes and for space heating. By combining solar energy with biomass/wood (wood-burning fireplaces), the requirements for the whole year are met. This ensures the heating of both the premises and the water for domestic use, as well as the water for the underfloor heating of the houses. Consequently, the buildings exhibit bioclimatic behaviour, eliminating the need for air conditioning.
Generation of electricity using a 5 kW photovoltaic system. Specifically, on the estate, the electricity generated is used directly to power the property and also indirectly via the hybrid heating system.
Composting of organic waste from all activities on the estate, at the winery and in the homes. Grapes from the winery are excluded; these are dried and fed to domestic animals. Organic waste includes leaves and branches from the estate, wine lees and grapes from the winery, and food and paper scraps from the homes. The compost produced acts as a natural fertiliser and is used in gardens and vineyards, as required, to enrich the soil with organic matter.
Aerobic system for the biological treatment of liquid waste from wineries and households (Activated Sludge Model). Two products result from the treatment of wastewater. The sewage sludge is transferred to the compost bin, and a relatively clear water suitable for irrigation, thereby saving water and avoiding the wastage of water from public networks. A necessary condition is the use of biodegradable detergents and cleaners.
Construction of a rainwater collection system for use in irrigation.
Avoiding the use of fossil fuels by employing different types of machinery and techniques.
Recycling of packaging and materials.
The construction of houses using only natural materials such as wood, stone, reed, fabric, traditional metals, etc.
The manufacture of furniture and frames from natural wood and their maintenance using natural materials (wax, oil).
Use of cork underlays and eco-friendly 100% latex underlays.
Use of 100% cotton-linen fabric.
Use of soaps made from natural materials and 100% biodegradable detergents.

Where is it applied?

The Karimalis Winery is aimed at those who wish to enjoy an authentic agri-wine tourism experience, which introduces visitors to the healthy Ikarian way of life, renowned for the longevity it brings to the island’s inhabitants.

When did it apply?

The winery was founded in 1997.

Other information

Local cuisine is inextricably linked to longevity, as has been demonstrated by relevant research, particularly by American and European scientific teams that have collaborated with the Karimalis family to provide information on both the Ikarian way of life and cuisine through traditional local recipes. In this context, the family organises “Cooking and Longevity Workshops” around the world every year (United States of America, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Australia), in which it showcases the healthy lifestyle practised by the inhabitants of the “Blue Zones”.

The term “Blue Zones” was first coined by Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner, an explorer, National Geographic contributor and journalist, during a project he led in 2004 to investigate longevity, seeking out regions of the world with a reputation for high life expectancy. Ikaria is one such region; one-third of its population reaches the age of 90.

In these workshops, the Karimalis family shares the ancient culinary philosophy of Ikaria, which directly links food with health and longevity.

The official website of Karimalis Winery is: https://www.ikarianwine.gr/