In the heart of the Peloponnese, within the Regional Unit of Arcadia, wines with Protected Designation of Origin from Mantinia are produced. The cultivation and production of these PDO wines take place in the vineyard area of Tripoli, located north of the city. The varietal composition of the PDO wines consists of at least 85% Moschofilero, with the remainder being Asproudes. They can be produced as still dry white wines using classic white winemaking techniques, or as sparkling dry, semi-dry, or semi-sweet wines made using the classic method or the Charmat method.
Viticulture in the region has its roots in antiquity, with many findings attesting to this tradition. The worship of the god Dionysus was strong, and according to mythology, the mountain of Mainalo was the permanent residence of his devoted follower, Pan. Homer describes the area as abundant in vineyards, while Aristotle and Theophrastus also reference its wine.
During the period of Ottoman rule, the wine market in Athens sourced its wines from this region, and in the early 20th century, the first sparkling wine in Greece was produced from the Moschofilero variety.
Mantinia is one of the few places in Greece with strong continental influences on its climate. It is also one of the coolest viticultural areas in the country, with some of the highest levels of rainfall. This, combined with the altitude of the vineyards starting from 650 meters, and the late-ripening nature of Moschofilero, results in one of the slowest harvests in Greece and Europe. Harvesting begins in late September and continues until mid- to late October. These conditions extend the maturation process and the development of aromas. The result is a rich aromatic bouquet, the preservation of fresh acidity, low sugar content (and consequently lower alcohol), and a refined taste profile.