Description
Kyriaki Hatzisavva leads a women-led winemaking initiative in the Evros region of northern Greece focused on regenerative viticulture, biodiversity restoration, and the revival of indigenous grape varieties. Through Hatzisavva Vineyards, she combines scientific knowledge with sustainable agricultural practices to promote environmentally resilient wine production in a region heavily affected by climate-related disasters.
After the devastating 2023 wildfires destroyed her privately owned vineyards, Hatzisavva continued wine production by collaborating with local organic growers while developing long-term plans for soil regeneration and vineyard restoration. Her work emphasizes healthy soil ecosystems, low-intervention cultivation, and the preservation of local wine heritage through varieties such as Mavroudi and Pamidi.
The initiative also contributes to rural development and women’s visibility in the wine sector through wine tourism, educational activities, and small-scale artisanal production. It demonstrates how women entrepreneurs can play a leading role in climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and the cultural regeneration of rural wine-producing regions.
Why this matters for Grapes of Change
The case study contributes to women’s empowerment by increasing the visibility of female leadership in a traditionally male-dominated agricultural sector and creating space for women’s participation in sustainable rural entrepreneurship. By strengthening economic autonomy, local networks, and public recognition for women winemakers, it indirectly supports conditions that help prevent gender-based discrimination and exclusion.
For the wine sector, the project demonstrates how regenerative viticulture, biodiversity restoration, and indigenous grape varieties can be combined with climate resilience and regional identity. Its innovative approach lies in linking scientific knowledge, environmental restoration, artisanal production, and community-based collaboration after climate disaster.
The model offers strong inspiration for replication in other rural wine regions facing environmental pressures, depopulation, and gender inequalities in agricultural leadership.
Lessons learned
A central lesson this case study offers is the importance of recognising and supporting women’s work and leadership in the wine sector, where women often remain underrepresented despite their significant contribution to rural economies and sustainable agriculture.
The example of Kyriaki Hatzisavva showed that increasing the visibility of women entrepreneurs can strengthen local development, encourage innovation, and inspire broader participation in agricultural leadership.
The Hatzisavva case also demonstrated that regenerative viticulture and biodiversity restoration are effective long-term strategies for adapting to climate-related crises such as wildfires, frost, and soil degradation. Combining scientific expertise, local knowledge, and community collaboration proved essential for maintaining production and rebuilding resilience after environmental disaster.
Another important lesson was the value of preserving indigenous grape varieties and strengthening regional identity through small-scale, quality-focused wine production. At the same time, the practice exposed ongoing structural challenges, including climate vulnerability, limited financial support, and the need for stronger institutional recognition and protection for small-scale rural producers.