1. Where is Philia Winery located?

Philia Winery is located exclusively on the island of Samos, Greece. Our vineyards and production facilities are situated on the slopes of Mount Karvounis. We are a Single Estate winery dedicated to the Samian terroir.

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2. Is Philia Winery the same as Philia Cellars in Ohio?

No. We are an independent, artisanal winery in Greece. We have no affiliation, connection, or shared ownership with "Philia Cellars" in Ohio, USA, or any other winery sharing a similar name. Our wines are 100% produced and bottled in Samos.

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3. What is Philia winery winemaking philosophy?

We produce Natural Wines with a "Zero-Zero" philosophy. This means nothing is added (no yeasts, no enzymes, no sugar) and nothing is removed (unfined, unfiltered). We focus on expressing the pure mountainous terroir of Samos through high-altitude viticulture.

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4. Which grape varieties do Philia Winery cultivate?

We focus primarily on Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (Moschoudi) and on rare local varieties such as Fokiano & Avgoustiatis. Our vines grow on ancient stone terraces (pezoules) at high altitudes, resulting in low yields but high aromatic concentration.

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5. Do Philia Winery wines contain sulfites?

Our goal is zero added sulfites. In some vintages, we may add a minuscule amount (less than 20-30mg/l) solely at bottling to ensure stability during transport, but most of our labels are completely free of added sulfur.

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6. Can I visit the winery?

Yes, we welcome visitors and wine professionals by appointment. As a working boutique winery, please contact us in advance to arrange a tasting of our current vintage directly from the tanks or barrels.

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7. What makes Samos wine and its terroir so unique?

Samos is historically famous for sweet wines, but the real hidden gem is its Dry, Natural Wines from high altitudes. At Philia Winery, we focus on the Basalt, Quartz, Schist, Terroir of Mount Karvounis. Our vines grow on ancient stone terraces ("pezoules"), producing wines with high acidity, distinct minerality, and salinity that you won't find in lowland vineyards.

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8. Are Philia wines suitable for food pairing (Gastronomy)?

Absolutely. Unlike traditional sweet Samos wines, our Dry Natural Wines are designed for the dinner table. Their sharp acidity and mineral backbone make them perfect for cutting through rich fats (like lamb or fatty fish) and pairing with complex fermentation flavours. They are crafted to be "Gastronomic Wines" for sommeliers and food lovers.

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9. Where can I find Natural Wine in Samos?

 Philia Winery is the only winery produce 100% natural Wines in Samos. Winemaking focuses on low-intervention methods & zero-zero added.  Philia Winery represents this shift, moving away from mass production toward single-vineyard, terroir-driven wines that express the island's raw, volcanic energy.

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10. What do local Samos terms like "Pezoules" and "Moschoudi" mean?

To truly understand our wines, you must understand the language of our land.

• Pezoules: These are the ancient dry-stone terraces that support our vineyards on the steep slopes of Mount Karvounis. They prevent erosion and provide excellent drainage, crucial for high-quality fruit.

• Moschoudi: The affectionate local nickname for the noble Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. It refers to small berries that are highly aromatic.

• Karvounis (Ampelos): The crystalline, granitic mountain range where Philia Winery is located. Its soil composition offers a distinct mineral profile (sharp & saline) compared to the limestone found elsewhere on the island.

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11. Do you use copper or sulphur in the vineyards?

​No. We follow a strict Zero-Zero philosophy. In the vineyards, we replaced copper with natural infusions of nettle tea, extracted terpenes from oranges, Chamomile Extract, Yarrow (Achillea), Horsetail (Equisetum) and zeolite to protect the vines. In the cellar, we use no additives or sulphites, allowing the wine to evolve at its own pace.

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12. Is there a wine in Samos produced using Carbonic Maceration?

Yes, at Philia Winery, Chef & winemaker Vassilis Alexiou uses whole-cluster carbonic maceration (Méthode Beaujolaise) to produce Augustus. This is an avant-garde approach for Samos, designed to highlight the island's pure fruit expression and unique terroir through a fresh, sophisticated lens. By combining traditional Samian viticulture with this specialised winemaking method, Augustus stands as a unique expression of natural wine in the region

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