In 2013, the owner of Stellar Importing Company, Sam Catechis was introduced to a Cretan homemade wine which had adapted its name “Brousko” by the locals of Crete. “Brousko” by definition means young, fruity, acidic red wine with a touch of tannins. Mr. Catechis was so intrigued by the freshness and mystic behind this young wine that he immediately visited the island of Crete, the birthplace of Brousko. Mr. Catechis was taken around the different Cretan villages where he was introduced to different varieties and methods of making the wine by different families. After tasting the varieties of Brousko wine Mr. Catechis wanted to give this wine its own identity by creating the Brousko brand and sharing the Cretan charming wine with the rest of the world. Mr. Catechis special ability to recognize the American wine pallet helped guide him to produce the best possible wine that represents what the people of Crete have been enjoying for centuries, a dry red, young, bold, fruity and tannic wine. To be enjoyed with meze and great company.

Heraklion is an important shipping port and ferry dock. Travelers can take ferries and boats from Heraklion to destinations including Santorini, Ios Island, Paros, Mykonos, and Rhodes. There are direct ferries to Naxios, Karpathos, Kasos. Sitia, Anafi, Chalki, and Diafani.  There are also several daily ferries to Piraeus, the port of Athens in mainland Greece. The port of Heraklion was built by Sir Robert McAlpine and completed in 1928. Heraklion has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa in the Köppen climate classification). Summers are warm to hot and dry with clear skies. Dry hot days are often relieved by seasonal breezes. Winters are mild with moderate rain. Because Heraklion is further south than Athens, it has a warmer climate during winter but cooler during summer because of the Aegean Sea.

The maximum temperature during the summer period is usually not more than 28 - 30 °C (Athens normal maximum temperature is about 5 °C higher). The minimum temperature record is -0.8 °C in the airport while in the port it has never dropped below 0 °C. Snowfalls are rare with the last significant snowfall with a measurable amount on the ground occurring in February 2004. Heraklion falls in 11a hardiness zone. 

Brousko is the nouveau wine of Greece. The freshest must is always used to produce these two wines. Securing quality and consistency has always been the most important part of this brand. This brand was brought forth with the most important thought in mind to present what young wines have to offer. Produced from the indigenous Greek grape varieties without ageing, either in the bottle or oak.

Tasting Notes:
Characteristics: Clear ruby colour with Intense aromas of grapes and juicy forest fruit notes. Refreshing and fine on the palate with an expressive flavour of wild berries. To be enjoyed with Meze and great company.

Food Suggestions:
Brousko Red is the perfect company for your every day meals. It is a soft, dry red with spicy berry fruit aromas, which is an excellent accompaniment to Mediterranean dishes. What does Meze mean in Greek? Meze is a selection of appetizers usually served next to drinks. They can be hot or cold and include a variety of foods like meat, cheese, seafood, vegetables, bread, olives and spreads. Think of it as Greek tapas.

Remember We Taste The Bad Ones So you don’t have to! CHEERS!!!