History
The Theotoky family are an old landowning family in Corfu Island, Greece, several members of which have been prominent politicians. They originally hailed from Constantinople, whence they fled following its fall to the Ottomans, eventually settling in Corfu. The painter El Greco (Domenico Theotokopoulos) was descended from a branch of the same family that fled to Crete. The Corfiot branch was ennobled with the title of Count by the Republic of Venice and was entered in the Libro d’Oro, but their titles lapsed in Greece when the Ionian islands became part of the Kingdom of Greece, which did not recognise noble titles. The various branches are: The Calocardári, the Sclebúni, the Statháchi, the Sammárco, the Andrucélli, and the D’Aviázzo. The latter developed a tradition of public service and were further nicknamed the Politikoí (Politicians).
The Theotoky family is one of the oldest families in Greece and the Estate has been in the family for generations. John Theotoky, father of the current owner, Georges Theotoky, studied at the famous Universität für Bodenkultur (University for Agriculture) in Vienna and was deeply attached to the land.
John devoted himself to politics after the tragic death of his brother Nicolas Theotoky who, as Minister of War, was executed in 1922 by the opposition, after the loss of the Asia Minor Campaign. He served three times as Minister of Agriculture and in 1950 as his father had been before him became Prime Minister of Greece.
Georges Theotoky, the son of John Theotoky, took over the Estate in the 60’s, at a time when wine making in Greece was almost nonexistent, in a commercial way. The development of the Theotoky Estate, has been George’s and his Italian wife’s Claudia’s passion ever since and their delectable red and white wine has become among the most celebrated estate bottled vintages in Greece. Under George’s direction, the cellar has been completely renewed and modernised, bringing its production methods up to modern high standards, whilst maintaining the traditional appearance of the buildings which house the old barrels and bottles.
Location
The Estate is located at Ropa Valley, near the village of Giannades, at the centre of the island of Corfu, at a distance of 17 km (approx 25 minutes by car) from Corfu Town, only half way to the popular landmark of Palaiokastritsa. It comprises more than 300 acres, much of it covered by pine trees, olive groves and vineyards. It is one of the most fertile areas of the island. The Estate is one of the most ecological and peaceful spots on Corfu.
The Library
The Library is thoroughly modernised; its extensive collected works have been catalogued and computer indexed for ease of access. It is located in an ancient farm building expressly restored with state of the art technology to ensure the safekeeping and easy access to a prize collection of rare antique books and archives.
The collection comprises some 35,000 ancient and modern books, maps, engravings and journals specialising in the history, art, iconography, religion and law of the Byzantine Empire, the Balkans and the Ionian Islands. This library, with its many rare books and papers, is a unique private collection which continues to be added to through the passion and dedication of its founder and provider, Mr. Georges Theotoky.
Museum
Born from a collection of old machinery, the THEOTOKY ESTATE MUSEUM shows the evolution in the wine making from the beginning of this century and how harder the process of wine making was.
Through pictures, it shows the feet fouling of the grapes, the old grape press and the collection of the juice in wooden baskets. The old barrels have a special glass isolating the wine from taking air.
An old weighing machine bears the name of Georges J. Theotoky on it. A unique bottle washer stands among other machinery worth exploring .
Apartment for four people
The apartment is very bright cosy and it is located within the Theotoky Estate, one of the oldest wineries in Greece. It is a peaceful place, covered in by olive trees and pine trees, and it is ideal for those who wish to get away from the touristy side of Corfu and experience a different side of the island.
The Estate is located at Ropa Valley, near the village of Giannades, at the centre of the island of Corfu, at a distance of 17 km (approx 25 minutes by car) from Corfu Town. It comprises more than 300 acres, much of it covered by pine trees, olive groves and vineyards. It is one of the most fertile areas of the island. The Estate is one of the most ecological and peaceful spots on Corfu.