Coffee Chronicles 6 | Palyvou Winery

How did you decide to get involved in the winemaking industry?

V.P: My decision to engage in the winemaking industry, and specifically in the family business, I believe was made ever since I was a child. I never consciously thought about it—it just happened naturally. We are a family business; our parents started this work, and we grew up in it. Gradually, the passion took root, and I think it was the next step that had to be taken.

E.P: The winery was founded in 1995 by our parents, Giorgos and Angeliki Palivou, without owning a significant amount of land at the time. Today, in 2024, we have expanded to 500 privately-owned acres of vineyards planted with both Greek and international grape varieties, from which we produce all our wines: white, rosé, and red.

Our annual production is approximately 250,000 bottles, by choice, as we prioritize quality over quantity. About 50% of our bottles are exported to Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

What can someone see and do when they decide to visit Nemea?

V.P: Visitors who decide to come to Nemea have the opportunity to experience many beautiful attractions. We have stunning archaeological sites with significant historical importance. They can visit the Temple of Zeus located in our archaeological site, along with the museum, and explore the ancient stadium of Nemea, where the Nemean Games were held—one of the most important competitions in ancient Greece.

Afterward, they can visit various wineries and choose to engage in alternative tourism, specifically wine tourism.

What does a visit to your winery include?

V.P: At our winery, our goal is to offer visitors a complete experience of their visit to Nemea, helping them understand the significance of Agiorgitiko—our signature grape variety—and take them on the journey from the grape's transformation into wine.

The visit begins in the vineyard, where guests can see, touch, and feel the vines. After all, the philosophy of our winery is that wine is made in the vineyard, and we want to share this with our visitors. We want them to see it, experience it, and understand it.

Next, we move into the winery, where we showcase our winemaking methods. The tour concludes in the cellar, where guests see the aging process, bottling techniques, and how the wine ultimately finds its way into the bottle.

Additionally, we aim to highlight the rich history of the region and the importance of Agiorgitiko, which is Greece’s oldest grape variety, with seeds dating back to 3000 BC.

Can you describe a typical day for you?

V.P: Over the past year, I don’t think there’s been much structure to my days, mainly because I’ve had a baby, and things have changed a lot. I try to organize my time as best as I can. We definitely start the day early, going through the morning routine—feeding the baby, getting them ready, and then leaving them with my mother.

After that, I head to the winery. Usually, I start in the office, checking emails and taking care of tasks that need to be done. Then, I touch base with our team, including the staff from the visitor department, to coordinate and organize the hospitality aspect of the business.

That’s more or less how the day goes. Once we’re done at the winery, we head home, and the rest of the day is all about spending time with the baby.

What is your favorite space in the winery and at home?

V.P: I think my favorite space at the winery isn’t actually inside it. I really enjoy being out in nature, so I love spending even just 5 minutes in the vineyards. It relaxes and calms me.

Another favorite spot is a new concept we’ve created—a train carriage located at the top of a vineyard. I often enjoy going there, sitting down, and taking in the view and the tranquility. Overall, it’s a truly magical setting.

At home, I think my favorite spaces are the living room and the dining area. I’m someone who loves being at home—it’s a place I truly enjoy. I’m also a person who values my friends and family deeply.

That’s why I love hosting gatherings, having meals together, and creating beautiful moments with everyone. It’s something that fulfills me greatly as a person.

E.P: My favorite spaces at the winery are two: the first is the tank room because, for me, everything begins there right after the harvest. It’s the birthplace of our wines. The second is the cellar, where we are right now, because that’s where the journey continues. It’s where our wines mature and age, and it’s from there that we get the final result to bottle.

As for my favorite place at home over the past year, it’s definitely the playpen. That’s where I spend most of my time, and I think it’s become a space I truly love.

What is it like living in a small town?

V.P: I believe that life in a small town moves at a more human pace. One of the key advantages is that we don’t have the long commuting times that people living in cities often face.

While there are certainly some drawbacks, I think the calmer lifestyle in a small town or village far outweighs the greater opportunities that city life might offer.

We’re also fortunate to be in a small town that’s close to several cities, making it easy to access anything we need in a very short time. So, I don’t think I can speak about difficulties—only about positive aspects.

E.P: What is it like to live in a small town? It definitely has more positives than negatives. You’re close to nature, the pace of life is more relaxed, and everything feels calmer. Plus, our work could never be based in a big city.

For me, especially now that I’ve become a mother, I can only see the positives in this lifestyle and none of the negatives.

What is your favorite place in Greece?

V.P: My favorite place in Greece, without a second thought, is Koufonisi. It’s a destination I’ve been visiting for many years, and I absolutely love it. I want to go back again and again. The people there are wonderful, we’ve made amazing friends, and it’s a place that fills me with warmth, love, and beautiful emotions.

Beyond the natural beauty and stunning landscape of the island, it’s the overall feeling that truly wins me over and makes me want to keep returning.

E.P: My favorite place in Greece isn’t a specific one—I believe we’re blessed to live in this country. No matter where someone goes, they’re sure to find something to love.

That said, I do have a special place in my heart for Nemea. It’s the place where we were born, the place we chose to live, and the place we’ve chosen to raise our children.

What are your goals for 2025?

V.P: My primary goal for 2025 revolves around the "parenting project"—figuring out how to be the best parent I can be and raising a happy child. In fact, I think this isn’t just a goal for 2025 but one that will shape our lives from now on.

Professionally, my goal is to organize some ideas I have for new projects and concepts. I’d like to structure them a bit more, and perhaps, within 2025, bring at least one of them to life.

E.P: My goals and aspirations for 2025 start with health as the top priority. Next comes my new life as a parent—being present for my child and supporting them in every way.

On the professional front, my focus is on creating new premium wine labels. These wines are planned to be released to the market in about three to four years.

What does “good” wine mean to you?

V.P: I believe that a good wine is one that suits us and that we enjoy. What I find good or pleasant doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the same for someone else.

So, the wine we have in our glass—the one we swirl, that evokes beautiful emotions, that we sip, taste, and that brings us joy—is the definition of a good wine.

E.P: As my sister mentioned earlier, creating a good wine begins in the vineyard, with the raw material—grapes. When we start with perfectly healthy grapes, we have the foundation to craft an excellent wine.

A good wine is the result of a synergy between nature, human intervention, and technical processes. In general, that’s what defines a good wine. However, the concept of a good wine is also subjective. For example, what I consider a good wine might not be the same for my sister or someone else.

A good wine is ultimately one that we love, one that enhances our experiences, and one that warms our hearts.

What are the characteristics a house should have to be family-friendly?

V.P: The characteristics that, in my opinion, a house must have to be family-friendly are, first and foremost, safety—it should be a safe home primarily for children but also for the rest of the adult family. Comfort is also important, and finally, there should be spaces for entertainment and play, both for younger and older family members.

What comes to mind when you hear Engel & Völkers?

V.P: When I think of the company Engel & Völkers, the first thing that comes to mind is quality, expertise, and consistency, which for me constitute the triad of success.