The Greek winery with its headquarters in Thessaloniki in the region of Macedonia was founded in the early 1960s by shipping magnate and multimillionaire Ioanni Carras (1905-1990). However, the winery was always "just" part of a huge project with hotels, a marina, golf course, etc. Carras' ambitious goal was to initiate a new era in viticulture in his homeland and to produce the best wine in Greece. The total estate covers 1,800 hectares, with 475 hectares of terraced vineyards on the shores of the Aegean Sea on Sithonia, the middle finger of the Halkidiki peninsula. They form the entire Côtes de Meliton (Playies Melitona) appellation. The use of French terms is deliberate, as the grape varieties, vinification and ageing are modelled on French methods.
A series of methodical experiments were started in an area that had not been used for viticulture in any way before. Extensive work began under the supervision of experts, professors from the University of Thessaloniki and Professor Émile Peynaud (1912-2004) from the University of Bordeaux. Some of the forest was preserved to serve as a natural barrier against the wind and excessively high temperatures. Entire hills were remodelled using bulldozers to achieve better exposure to the sun. The first vineyards were not planted until 1965.
Twenty-seven different grape varieties were cultivated, including 13 French and 14 Greek varieties. Studies have shown that the French vines thrive better at higher altitudes (300 to 400 metres above sea level), while the indigenous vines thrive at around 200 to 300 metres above sea level. The vineyards are planted with the international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cinsaut, Sauvignon Blanc and Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano), as well as the autochthonous varieties Assyrtiko, Athiri Mavro, Limnio, Malagousia, Roditis and Xinomavro. White wine varieties make up 60% and red wine 40%. The first grape harvest took place in 1972, but all the wine had to be destroyed due to various major problems.
The French-orientated wines are marketed under the name "Côtes de Meliton". The premium red wine "Château Carras" is blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Limnio. Wines made primarily from Greek varieties are produced under the "Domaine Porto Carras" brand. From the beginning of the 1990s, there were major financial problems, and after the 1997 vintage there was a complete standstill. Since 2002, the entire property, including the winery, has been owned by the Technical Olympic Group of Companies. All vineyards are now cultivated according to the rules of organic viticulture.
