At the 2025 USA Wine Ratings, Alpha Estate’s Syrah S.V. Turtles secured the coveted title of Shiraz of the Year — a remarkable recognition for a Greek winery competing against the world’s most established regions. For Themistoklis Adamidis, Export Professional at Alpha Estate, the award is more than a medal: it’s a validation of Amyndeon’s unique terroir and a statement that Greek wines are no longer niche curiosities, but serious contenders with global resonance. With Greek varietals gaining momentum in the U.S. and consumers seeking authenticity and discovery, Alpha Estate’s win signals not only a bright future for the brand, but also for the wider category of Greek wines on the American market.

We spoke with Adamidis about what this accolade means for Amyndeon, Alpha Estate’s philosophy, and the opportunities ahead.

Congratulations on winning Shiraz of the Year at the USA Wine Ratings. What does this recognition mean for Alpha Estate as a Greek winery competing on the global stage?

This recognition is not just a medal, it is a mirror of our land’s soul. In Amyndeon we do not merely produce wine; we hold a dialogue with the mountains, the lakes, and the history that surrounds us. To be honored in the U.S. means Amyndeon can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s great wine regions. For Alpha Estate, it confirms that Greece can speak with a voice of precision, depth, and authenticity on the global stage.

Why did you decide to enter your 2022 Syrah S.V. Turtles into this competition, and what does this varietal represent for you as a producer?

This wine is a mosaic: an international variety transformed by Amyndeon’s ecosystem into something unmistakably its own. We entered it not for the glory, but because it captures what we believe in—elegance, freshness, and character. For us, Syrah is a canvas where nature and philosophy blend, and Amyndeon itself paints the strokes.

How does the unique terroir of Amyndeon shape the style and structure of your wines?

Amyndeon is a rare high-altitude plateau, ringed by mountains and tempered by two natural lakes. Cool nights and long ripening seasons preserve acidity and aromas. Sandy soils ensure finesse and drainage, while the lakes soften extremes of heat and frost. The result is wines of clarity, freshness, and finely grained tannins—wines that bear the unique signature of Amyndeon, and through it, Alpha Estate.

Alpha Estate has invested heavily in sustainability and vineyard innovation—how does this commitment translate into the glass?

For us, sustainability is not a trend but a duty. Water stewardship, biodiversity, and precision viticulture all are part of how we respect the ecosystem. In the glass, this becomes purity: fruit that is true, balance without compromise, expression without disguise. Today’s drinker seeks integrity, and Amyndeon offers it naturally.

How do you plan to leverage this win in the U.S. off-premise sector? Is Alpha Estate already present in the U.S. retail landscape, and if so, where can consumers and trade buyers currently find your wines?

An award is a story, and this one deserves to be told. It shows that Greek wines are not curiosities but contenders. We are already present in select markets in the U.S., and this recognition allows us to widen the reach of Amyndeon’s voice, placing more of its wines in American glasses.

Greek wines are gaining more visibility in the U.S., though they remain a niche compared to Old World staples. What trends are you witnessing when it comes to Greek varietals and wines?

There is a growing thirst for authenticity and discovery. Sommeliers and consumers alike want wines that carry a sense of place. Varieties like Xinomavro, Assyrtiko, and Malagouzia are carving their niche, no longer seen as exotic novelties but as wines of seriousness, collectability, and distinction.

Beyond Syrah, which other Alpha Estate wines do you see as having strong potential in the U.S. market?

Our Single Vineyard Hedgehog Xinomavro and Single Block Ecosystem Xinomavro Barba Yiannis from 105-year-old vines show the depth and longevity Greece can achieve. Equally, whites like the Single Vineyard Turtles Malagouzia and the Ecosystem Assyrtiko resonate strongly with the American appetite for crisp, aromatic, food-friendly wines. Each one is a different face of Greece’s identity, yet all carry the precision and elegance of Alpha Estate.

What do you want buyers and distributors to understand about your brand when considering a partnership?

That we do not sell wine alone, we offer reliability, continuity, and trust. Alpha Estate is family-driven but globally minded, committed to supporting markets with education and collaboration. Our name is not only a label, but a promise of consistency and long-term partnership.

Following this major accolade, what are your next priorities in terms of export growth and U.S. market development?

To deepen rather than just expand. Strengthening ties with our current distributors, opening doors in states where Greek wine is underrepresented, and above all increasing visibility. More tastings, more education, more direct engagement. The U.S. is strategic, and this award is the wind in our sails.

What message would you like to send directly to U.S. retailers and distributors discovering Alpha Estate after this win?

Greek wine belongs in the same conversation as the world’s finest, and Amyndeon is its clear voice. For American partners, this is an opportunity to offer your clients wines that unite recognition with authenticity, sustainability, and strong appeal. To taste Alpha Estate is to hear the story of Amyndeon, a place where altitude, lakes, and history conspire to create wines that matter.