Argyraki Estate: “Winery with zero energy footprint”

18/05/2025

Athor >

Θοδωρής Καρυπίδης

Spyros Argyrakis, owner of Argyrakis estate: “We believe that energy investments are economically worthwhile and contribute to the common goal for a sustainable future”.

-When did the bioclimatic winery start – are renewable energy technologies applied in all units?

The construction of the winery was completed at the end of 2015. The design, however, had begun much earlier, during my master’s thesis, where the bioclimatic winery was the object of study. The thinking is simple, we try to reduce consumption to a minimum and produce our own energy. Specifically we have positioned the winery appropriately to take full advantage of the air and sun. Our goal is to be able to maintain a constant summer winter temperature with the minimum energy expenditure. We have reduced energy losses to the outside environment to the maximum, with appropriate insulation and reduction of openings (doors, windows). On the production side, all the machinery we have chosen to use is aimed at reducing the energy required. The winery’s lighting fixtures are LED type. We use solar collectors for all the hot water used in the winery. We also installed the corresponding 25kw photovoltaic panels in order to be fully self-sufficient. So we managed to make the energy class of winery to be A+.

-Have you made a financial amortization of the investment?

Although we originally estimated that the payback would be in six years, use of programs such as the NSRF has cut that time in half! We believe that energy investments are financially worthwhile and contribute to the shared goal of a sustainable future.

-What is the result in terms of electricity consumption, what have you gained energy-wise since the winery first opened as a bioclimatic winery?

The results are very impressive, already in 2018 the electricity bills became zero. Sure, there are some fees that we pay, such as for ERT, but in terms of electricity consumption from the grid, it is zero. Consider that a winery of our size would have consumptions in the range of 900-1100 euros per month, while for us it is 0€. Financially, this change represents a significant reduction in our operating costs. Apart from the environmental benefit, which we consider primary, in the financial aspect the difference is big for us and the sustainability of the winery.

-What is the specific environmental footprint of your business?

In terms of the operation of the winery the energy footprint tends to zero. Where we have higher energy consumption is in the distribution of the wine, as we use a diesel car. However from the beginning of 2024 the company van will be replaced with a new electric van, which will be charged from the winery’s panels. In this way we will also zero the energy footprint of wine distribution. These moves have a very significant environmental footprint, as the wine that reaches the consumer has been produced and delivered using only solar energy.

-Has the technology applied played a role in the production process?

The entire design of the bioclimatic winery aims to optimize the production process. The temperatures achieved are the ideal temperatures for the wine in every phase of its production. So yes affects the production process positively.

-What is the capacity of the winery in terms of bottling and what varieties does the wine come from – is the production available in the domestic market or do you also export?

We are a boutique winery from Veria, with specialization and love for the local variety of Xinomavro. Our vineyard is located in Trilofo in the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) zone of Naoussa, a region that gives wines with a strong character.

Our goal is to strengthen the expression of the diversity of our terroir (local) and to explore the potential of the powerful variety of xenomavro, with respect to the environment and the people who produce and consume it. Our collection includes a total of 5 labels. The “Atti” range consists of 3 unique blends of the xinomavro, helping the public to be introduced to the characteristics of this variety. The “Chronos” series is produced from 100% xinomavro in two versions, white (blanc de noir) and red, and gives complex, dynamic wines that are capable of long aging. Our wines are not just products, but expressions of the character and tradition of our region. Our total capacity is 25,000 bottles per year. Along with our presence in the domestic market, we continue to export about 40% of the quantity, mainly to Europe and the USA, with the aim of sharing the culture and taste of sour beer beyond the borders.

-How much has the climate crisis affected your production?

We see that the weather has changed, this summer has been a challenge. The unpredictability of the weather has created difficulties in controlling conditions in the vineyard, resulting in disease. In xinomavro, we were lucky not to be so affected , we had a small reduction in quantity, of 15%, which we believe will have a positive impact on the quality of the wine. Climate change is something that will undoubtedly affect our work in the vineyard and our daily life. Reducing our energy footprint is no longer a luxury, it is an obligation.

-You are a civil engineer and you are also on the Board of Directors of the winemakers’ association of Northern Greece) and the association of Naoussa wineries, your colleagues share the implementation of RES for their businesses , is there any progress?

ENOAVE consists of 35 wineries from the region of Northern Greece, while the Naoussa Association consists of 25 wineries from the region of Naoussa. Both in ENOAVE (association of winemakers of Northern Greece) and in the Naoussa Association there is a great will for development and awareness of environmental issues. I am very happy to participate in both of these collective bodies because they are possessed by a spirit of cooperation and an appetite for development. As far as renewable energy sources are concerned, the truth is that in the last three years, more and more wineries have been using them. This is greatly helped by the programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture that subsidise the installation of RES in wineries with the aim of making them energy self-sufficient. I am sure now that in the next 5 years most wineries will base their operation on RES installations, a fact that makes me very optimistic about the future and the contribution of our sector to climate change.