Mountain Paggaio

Paggaio Mountain is a large mountainous area of ​​Greece that extends to the prefectures of Kavala and Serres. There are many and large springs in the mountains and the surrounding areas, as well as mountain-filled streams. Its highest peak is the "Mati" at an altitude of 1,956 meters. The forestry authorities of Kavala and Serres are responsible for the protection of the mountain.On the...

Paggaio Mountain is a large mountainous area of ​​Greece that extends to the prefectures of Kavala and Serres. There are many and large springs in the mountains and the surrounding areas, as well as mountain-filled streams. Its highest peak is the "Mati" at an altitude of 1,956 meters. The forestry authorities of Kavala and Serres are responsible for the protection of the mountain.

On the northern slope of the mountain and at an altitude of about 600 meters is located the Holy Monastery of Panagia Ikosifinissa. The monastery is built on the slope of a hill, on the top of which there was an ancient Greek temple. The monastery is accessible from the west through the provincial road network of the Prefecture of Serres. Specifically either through the village of Kormista or through the special outlet, built along the newer road axis Kavala - Serres. However, the provincial road that runs through Nikisiani is easier to access.

According to Greek mythology, the mountain was originally called Karmenion, later named Paggaeon by Panagos, the son of the god Mars and Kretovolos, who, unable to withstand his remorse for the incest that he committed wildly with his daughter, committed suicide in this condition. At the top of Mount Pangaio was the famous sanctuary of Dionysus, which was under the control of Sacher.

In the region of Paggaio, fine wines such as "Vivlia Chora" are grown. The winery and vineyards lie along the foot of Mt Pangaion, at an altitude of 380 metres, in the village of Kokkinochori in Kavala Prefecture. The estate is 100 kilometres east of Thessaloniki and 50 kilometres south-west of the city of Kavala. The estate’s own vineyards have grown to encompass about 48 hectares, at an altitude of 380 metres. A state-of-the-art wine-making facility is located in the vineyard and produces all of the estate wines. Biblia Chora’s philosophy centers on producing premium wines that express the unique character of the Paggaion ecosystem. To achieve this goal, special care is taken during both cultivation and wine production, while making the most of the owners’ knowledge and experience, and combining tradition with technology. The regional Mediterranean climate is marked by mild winters and cool summers, as it is influenced by the mass of Mt Paggaion and the sea breeze blowing from the Aegean. The sizeable difference between daytime and night-time temperatures is advantageous in allowing the grapes to mature slowly. Although the soil is a rocky mix of limestone and clay and relatively barren, it offers good drainage. The vines are cultivated according to organic farming standards, with great respect for the environment, the flora and fauna of the area and for human life. Nowadays, Ktima Biblia Chora cultivates the Greek varietals of Assyrtiko, Agiorgitiko and Vidiano, as well as the foreign Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. 

Ongoing experimentation with the Greek varietals at the estate aims to assess how well they have adapted to the region and to evaluate their wine potential. Significant emphasis is also given to cultivating some lesser-known Greek varietals endemic to the Mt Paggaion region, with hopes of reviving them. 

Paggaion Mountain rises behind the winery, majestic and unchanged by time and centuries of rich history. During the Phoenician era, the vines cultivated in the foothills were known as “Biblia,” from which the wine “Biblinos Oenos” was made. In Alexander the Great’s time, the mountain’s gold reserves became a source of revenue to finance the commander’s campaigns. Later, in the Byzantine period, the area was a holding of the Iviron Monastery at Mount Athos. The view from the winery draws the visitor’s eye to the Strymonian Gulf in the distance, and further to Mount Athos.