Celebrating Our
History
Gentilini was the family name of founder Spiro Kosmetatos’ grandmother, Marianna, the last of a long noble lineage.
Celebrating Our
History
Gentilini was the family name of founder Spiro Kosmetatos’ grandmother, Marianna, the last of a long noble lineage.
1593. Italian army engineer Marino Gentilini was commissioned by the Venetian Senate to build the extensive Assos fortifications on Kefalonia to protect it from marauding pirates. He eventually married and settled here, and his name was inscribed in the Libro d’Oro of noble families.
1978. Having spent time in the beautiful wine country of Cape Town, Spiro Kosmetatos returned to his ancestral island of Kefalonia and planted his first acre of an obscure local white grape variety with the vision of creating a world class wine in Greece.
1984. The first tiny vintage of Gentilini was released simultaneously in Athens and London. At the time Spiro was a pioneer in fine wine making in Greece and paved the way for other boutique wineries that followed.
2020. Now in his 80’s, Spiro is still fit and active and his mind is razor sharp. Although he enjoys helping out in the vineyards from time to time, he is busy as President of the Focas-Cosmetatos Foundation which operates a museum and runs cultural programs for children. Under his leadership, the Foundation has blossomed and 1998 saw the establishment of the Cephalonia Botanica which aims to preserve the local flora by collaborating with seed banks and other botanical gardens around the world. Both the charming museum in Argostoli and the lovely Botanica on the outskirts of the town are open to visitors throughout the summer.
Continuing Our
Legacy
The winery and vineyards have now passed to the next generation.
2002. Spiros’ daughter Marianna and her husband Petros Markantonatos took over the estate.
Growing up, Marianna assisted with harvests and in the winery when she could during school and university breaks. Since supplies and equipment were hard to come by in Greece she would often bring back yeast and pipettes in her suitcase! Her studies took her to America where she graduated from the Hotel School at Cornell University and began a career with the Sheraton group. It seemed as though she would follow a path away from wine.
Petros was born in Melbourne, Australia to Kefalonian parents. He graduated from RMIT with a degree in Applied Biology and Biotechnology, and received his Masters in Biochemistry and Yeast Engineering from the University of Sussex in the UK before returning to Greece.
Continuing Our Legacy
The winery and vineyards have now passed to the next generation.
2002. Spiros’ daughter Marianna and her husband Petros Markantonatos took over the estate.
Growing up Marianna assisted with harvests and in the winery when she could during school and university breaks. Since supplies and equipment were hard to come by in Greece she would often bring back yeast and pipettes in her suitcase! Her studies took her to America where she graduated from the Hotel School at Cornell University and began a career with the Sheraton group. It seemed as though she would follow a path away from wine.
Petros was born in Melbourne, Australia to Kefalonian parents. He graduated from RMIT with a degree in Applied Biology and Biotechnology and received his Masters in Biochemistry and Yeast Engineering from the University of Sussex in the UK before returning to Greece.
Wine Brings People Together
We met by chance at a party in Athens and the rest, as they say, is history. We began helping out with sales of the wine on the side, and in 2002 we both gave up our careers to immerse ourselves in our shared passion full time.
As in the past, our aim is to produce top quality, exciting wines while promoting the unique flavours and aromas of the local Kefalonian varieties.
Today, we have 10 hectares under vine and we make a core range of ten wines. We also produce experimental wines each year to keep us moving forward and quantities have purposefully been kept low to ensure that quality is not compromised.
We are greatly satisfied that our daughter, Irianna, is also showing a keen interest in continuing the family business. Still in her teens she joins in during harvest and assists at the Cellar Door, and has already developed a very sophisticated nose and palate.
Wine Brings People
Together
We met by chance at a party in Athens and the rest, as they say, is history. We began helping out with sales of the wine on the side, and in 2002 we both gave up our careers to immerse ourselves in our shared passion full time.
As in the past, our aim is to produce top quality, exciting wines while promoting the unique flavours and aromas of the local Kefalonian varieties.
Today, we have 10 hectares under vine and we make a core range of ten wines. We also produce experimental wines each year to keep us moving forward and quantities have purposefully been kept low to ensure that quality is not compromised.
We are greatly satisfied that our daughter, Irianna, is also showing a keen interest in continuing the family business. Still in her teens she joins in during harvest and assists at the Cellar Door, and has already developed a very sophisticated nose and palate.
Where We Are
Kefalonia
Kefalonia (also know as Cephalonia), the island of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, is the largest and most complex of the Ionian Islands in western Greece.
Assos Castle
Its towering, fir-clad mountain rises from high altitude plateaus; lush greenery surrounds hidden coves; golden beaches stretch into azure waters; ancient remains are unearthed near lively resorts. Kefalonia’s size lends it a relaxed atmosphere and agriculture thrives comfortably alongside untamed nature and easy-going visitors.
A part of the Venetian Empire for 400 years, the Ionian Islands were placed under British protection in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, and were united with Greece in 1864. This means that our dialect, food and music have more in common with Italy and the West than the rest of Greece which was occupied by the Ottoman Empire.
Omala Valley
Agriculture has been closely tied to the fortunes of Kefalonia since ancient times and this continues to this day. Its fine wines, wild thyme honey, rich olive oil and cheese are some of the best in the world.
Wine has been made on Kefalonia for centuries, and a French entrepreneur set up a winery and bottled wine here in the 1850’s. The cooling heights of Mount Ainos, the perfect balance of rainfall and sunshine and the rocky limestone soil provide this island with the best conditions for the Mediterranean vineyard.
Our Team
Gentilini has a small but
highly effective team.
Petros Markantonatos, Irianna, Marianna Kosmetatou
Alex Doukas
2015. We invited Alex Doukas to join us as head winemaker. He is extremely talented with extensive experience at some of the top wineries in Greece. His energy and meticulous attention to detail have resulted in bringing the wines to another level of quality.
The 2021 Harvest Team
In addition, we have a dedicated, highly skilled team in the vineyards to ensure perfect fruit, two articulate and well-informed ladies who welcome visitors in the summer and at least two students who round out our team while gaining valuable practical experience.
During harvest season the winery is alive with the positive hum of a team of people that works hard but takes great satisfaction in what they do.
Gizmo
Rescued from the streets of Athens, our pooch Gizmo happily patrols the vineyards and welcomes guests.
In addition, we have a dedicated, highly skilled team in the vineyards to ensure perfect fruit, two articulate and well-informed ladies who welcome visitors in the summer and at least two students who round out our team while gaining valuable practical experience.
During harvest season the winery is alive with the positive hum of a team of people that works hard but takes great satisfaction in what they do.
Gizmo
Rescued from the streets of Athens, our pooch Gizmo happily patrols the vineyards and welcomes guests.
