Domaine South Presents
The Dinner Party: The Aegean Harvest
Athenee Importers with Special Importer Guest: Alex Campos
October 7th, 2026 5:30 PM
Athenee Importers, established in 1975, is the largest importer and distributor of fine wine, spirits and beer from Greece and Cyprus in the United States. We believe that the future of Greek wines lie in the hands of the small producers. In the past 20 years, the Greek wine industry has undergone tremendous change. Initially, the Greek wine market was controlled by large wineries that produced wines for the mass market with very little attention paid to quality. As a result, Greek wines were not a strong presence in the marketplace and earned a bad reputation. As a result, the trade suffered greatly. In order to rectify the situation, industry leaders recognized the need for change. The next generation of Greek wines would lie in the hands of small producers who keep an eye to quality while closely guarding quantity.
2025 Tsiakkas Xynisteri, Pitsilia/Krasochoria, Cyprus
Cyrpiot Zucchini Fritters & Halloumi Fritters, Minty Garlicky Yogurt
2024 Apostolos Thymiopos "Atma” Assyrtiko, Macedonia, Greece
Santorini Shrimp Saganaki - Wild-caught Gulf shrimp, Tomato, Barrel-Aged Feta, Fresh Oregano
2024 Ktima Spyropoulos Mantinia Moschofilero, Mantineia, Greece
Pan-Seared Diver Sea Scallops – Peloponnesian Orange, Fennel & Ouzo Glaze, Saffron Orzo
2025 Apostolos Thymiopoulos Rosé de Xinomavro, Naoussa, Greece
Macedonian Roasted Chicken - Slow-roasted North Carolina Farmhouse Chicken, Wild Mushrooms, bu Roasted chestnuts, Chickpeas, Jus
2025 Tsiakkas Mouklos Mavro, Lemesos, Cyprus
Cypriot Lamb Sheftalia – Smoky Minced Lamb Sausages, Warm Pita, Taverna Salad
2024 Apostolos Thymiopoulos Young Vines Xinomavro, Naoussa, Greece
Macedonian Rabbit Stifado - Slow-braised North Carolina Rabbit, Tomato and Xinomavro Reduction. Melted Pearl Onions, Cinnamon and Allspice, Buttered Hilopetes Egg Pasta, Mizrithra Cheese
KaffeeKlatsch Coffee
Karidopita – Traditional Greek walnut cake deeply soaked in a fragrant, citrus-kissed cinnamon, clove, and orange honey syrup. Served with honeyed yogurt
$125 per person plus tax and gratuity
Reservations Required
256.759.9952
The Wines
2025 Tsiakkas Xynisteri, Pitsilia/Krasochoria, Cyprus $29.99
Producer: Tsiakkas (pronounced: tee-ah-kahs)
Wine Name/Primary Grape: Xynisteri (pronounced: sin-ees-ter-ee)
Varietals: 98% Xynisteri, 2% Malaga
Region: Pitsilia & Krasochoria, Cyprus
A dry white expression of the ancient Cypriot grape more often associated with sun-dried dessert wines, the Tsiakkas Winery 2025 Xynisteri balances pithy stone fruit and lemon with zesty citrus freshness. Those contrasting personalities meet at a beautiful point of equilibrium, giving the wine both energy and satisfying mid-palate concentration. Sourced from ungrafted vineyards in the Troodos Mountains at very high elevations, the wine reflects the heroic mountain viticulture of Cyprus, where old goblet-trained vines and cool conditions help preserve freshness and aromatic intensity. Three months of lees aging add texture and polish, making this a good partner to grilled octopus or simple fish dishes. Production is 60,000 bottles.
2024 Aposptolos Thymiopos "Atma" Assyrtiko, Macedonia, Greece $26.99
Aromas of fresh citrus fruits, stone fruits and an elegant touch of florality. Crisp acidity balances the oily body texture. The aftertaste is long and refreshing. The Thymiopoulos family has owned vineyards in Naoussa for several generations. Until recently, the family grew grapes and supplied wineries with their fruit. Upon matriculation from The University of Athens oenology program, Apostolos Thymiopoulos returned to his family’s vineyards and began producing wine for his own label. The winery’s first release was with the 2004 vintage, which was a hit across Greece and in Europe.
The climate in Macedonia is warm continental. The chosen higher altitude of vineyards provide lower temperatures. In addition, the big diurnal range during the ripening season postpones the harvest and retains freshness and elegance into the wines.
2024 Ktima Spyropoulos Mantinia Moschofilero, Mantineia, Greece $31.99
Mantinia 2024 from Ktima Spyropoulos is a white wine that shows in the glass exactly why Moschofilero has remained in the hearts of wine lovers over time. It is elegant, expressive, and perfectly balanced, made from 100% Moschofilero grown organically in mountainous Arcadia, highlighting the unique terroir of Mantinia.
Ktima Spyropoulos, with decades of history and a pioneering approach to organic cultivation, has been cultivating its privately owned vineyards at an altitude of 650–700 meters in mountainous Arcadia since 1987, producing wines of elegance, purity, and authenticity. In Mantinia 2024 Ktima Spyropoulos, the estate plays with the refined facets of the variety, crafting the definition of a graceful expression both of Moschofilero and of the PDO zone. Fermentation at low temperatures to enhance aromatics, along with maturation on fine lees in stainless-steel tanks, gives the wine an elegant aromatic profile and freshness.
2025 Aposptolos Thymiopoulos Rosé de Xinomavro, Naoussa, Greece $28.99
It has medium salmon color in the glass. Expressive nose with dominating aromas of strawberry jam and tomato. Candied rose petals, cherry, raspberry, caramel, and quince nuances make up an interesting bouquet. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with soft tannins and crisp acidity that perfectly balances the oily texture. Ripe strawberry, sweet cherry, caramel, sun-dried tomato, and spicy notes fill your mouth with every sip. Toffee aftertaste that lasts.
Yes, Apostolos Thymiopoulos is known for his red wines, but if you haven’t tried Rosé de Xinomavro, you don’t know what you’re missing! Once again, the groundbreaking winemaker from Naoussa delivers a rosé that’s not meant to be drunk just fresh—which is exactly why he bottles it in a dark glass bottle.
Rosé de Xinomavro proudly shows off its origins, with intense tomato-leaf aromas that hit your nose right away. On the palate, the Xinomavro character is unmistakable—structured, with grippy tannins and vibrant acidity. That’s also thanks to its 5-month stay in used oak barrels. As you’ve probably gathered, this is clearly a rosé wine that demands food—it’s not just pretty aromas and pink vibes!
We loved it now with eggplant, trachanas, and feta, but in 5 years, it’ll be pure poetry!
2025 Tsiakkas Mouklos Mavro, Lemesos, Cyprus $32.99
Region:Mouklos, Pitsilia
Altitude:920m. Soil:Sandy, volcanic. Farming:Organic. Method:80 year-old vines, Goblet, ungrafted, handpicked grapes
Vinification
Composition:Mavro Ambelisimo
Method:Field blend, cold soak, 50% semi-carbonic maceration, yeast selection, scaled fermentation
Ageing:No. Production:10,000 bottles
Serving
Aromas:Strawberry, cherry, rose, chocolate
Pairing:Pork, lamb, legumes
2024 Aposptolos Thymiopoulos Young Vines Xinomavro, Naoussa, Greece $26.99
Xinomavro shows fragrant aromas of fresh red fruits, herbs and an elegant vegetal character. Crisp acidity balances the richness of the body. The aftertaste is complex and long. A blend of higher altitude parcels around the village of Fytia and the warmer, lower elevation parcels adjacent to the village of Trilofos. Vines are young and non-irrigated.
Apostolos Thymiopoulos has almost single-handedly put Naoussa and Xinomavro back on the map, and his Young Vines bottling is where most people first fall for his wines. It’s made from younger plantings around his family vineyards in northern Greece, farmed biodynamically and handled with the same care as his top cuvées, but released early to be more approachable.
The 2024 is fermented naturally, aged in concrete and large old oak, with minimal intervention – Apostolos is all about letting the fruit and place do the talking. The style here is bright and juicy, full of red fruit and spice, with that trademark Xinomavro savoury edge but without the firm tannin grip you often see in more serious bottlings.
It’s the kind of wine that’s dangerously easy to drink, versatile at the table, and just a great way to get to know both the grape and the winemaker. For the price, it’s hard to beat – an authentic taste of Naoussa from one of Greece’s most exciting producers.