Ouzo Matarelli

Plomari has long been celebrated as the ouzo capital of Greece, and Ouzo Matarelli is one of the distilleries that has helped earn that reputation. Nestled in this southern coastal town where the Sedounta river meets the Aegean, the distillery carries on the time-honoured craft of producing Lesvos ouzo, a spirit made from grape-based alcohol redistilled with anise and other botanicals in traditional copper pot stills. The families of Plomari have been refining this art for generations, and Matarelli represents a piece of that living heritage — a smaller, characterful producer that stands alongside the island's more widely exported labels.

A visit here offers something beyond simply buying a bottle. Stepping into the world of a Plomari distillery connects you to the rhythms of island life, where ouzo is not merely a drink but a social ritual — poured unhurriedly alongside mezedes of grilled octopus, local cheese, and olives as the afternoon sun stretches long over the water. The distinctive anise-forward spirit produced in Plomari is notably smoother and more complex than many mainland varieties, a quality attributed to the local water and the accumulated expertise of its makers.

Whether you are a spirits enthusiast seeking a genuine taste of Aegean culture or simply a curious traveller passing through the winding lanes of Plomari, Ouzo Matarelli is worth seeking out. Pick up a bottle to carry home as one of the most authentic souvenirs Lesvos can offer, or linger with a glass and let the unhurried pace of this sun-warmed town remind you why the Greeks have always known how to live well.