In the winegrowing and winemaking sector, eight hundred winegrowers of Messinia allied to form a cooperation in 1954. For its times, the “Nestor Agricultural and Winemaking Cooperative of Messinia” was as unique as it was pioneering.
The goal of the cooperative was to absorb and showcase its members’ wine-growing production. Nestor Cooperative chose the griffin, for its emblem and symbol. This creature of legend with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion was guarding a priceless treasury according to mythology. The village of Yalova in the Bay of Navarino was the first seat of the Nestor cooperative. An area that for many years was strategically known for the perfect conditions for winegrowing and winemaking activities. That was where the first cooperative’s winery was built. Complying with all the modern trends of the times, the winery was fitted with the latest in cutting-edge equipment. At some point in 1980, it was decided by the winegrowers, members of the Messinia cooperative, to upgrade the local vineyards with international grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Cultivation of other international varieties, such as Grenache Rouge, Grenache Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo. Those practices were the cooperative’s crucial stage, as well as a timely contribution to the region’s winegrowing activities was necessarily implemented. In 1993 Messinia Winemaking Cooperative decided to build a second winery on a hill over the village of Pyrgaki in Trifylia. The ancient palace of King Nestor was just located 6 kilometers away from the winery. As the design and the complexity of the majestic architecture of the ancient king’s palace, the new winery took the name of “Temple of Wine”, inspired by the outstanding palace. The winery had the capacity of processing and store tens of thousands of tons of wine, where its name was respectfully given by its complexity and size. Unfortunately, there was a time when its future growth was depending on moments that were decisive for its stability & functionality. Sadly, over time, the Nestor Agricultural & Winemaking Cooperative of Messinia and its development in the wine trade, had to shut down, due to its lack of appropriate funding. The cooperative’s members and board of directors unanimously decided to collaborate with a private entity in order to save the cooperative. In 2014 they signed the initial agreement, and the following year “Nestor Winery of Messinia S.A.” was founded.
The philosophy of Spyros Lafazanis is clear-cut: First comes commitment, followed by respect, and honesty. Our company currently owns two fully structured and state-of-the-art wineries in the Peloponnese which are steadily being staffed with hard-working people, followed by flawless training, people with whom we are on the best of terms. Our main goals are to showcase the varieties specifically to each area, by taking advantage of our long-standing expertise in the winegrowing and winemaking sectors. We are constantly compiling studies relating to all stages of the production process. Part of our company’s philosophy is environmental stewardship, a field in which we are well versed. Another part of that same philosophy is compliance with an accreditation from quality management (ISO 9001:2008) and food safety (ISO 22000:2005) systems.
Pyrgos Messinia – Greece, 24400
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