Ouzo Matis

Lesvos holds a proud place in the story of Greek ouzo, and Ouzo Matis is one of the island's distilleries keeping that tradition alive near the capital, Mytilini. Ouzo — the anise-scented spirit that is as much a ritual as it is a drink — has been produced on Lesvos for generations, and the island's distilleries are considered among the finest in Greece. A visit to a working distillery like Matis offers a rare glimpse into the craft behind one of Greece's most iconic exports, from the copper pot stills to the careful blending of botanicals that gives each producer's ouzo its distinctive character.

As a wholesaler and distillery, Ouzo Matis caters to trade buyers as well as curious visitors who want to taste and purchase directly at the source. Picking up a bottle here means bringing home something made on the island itself — a far more meaningful souvenir than a supermarket shelf can offer. Pair it as the locals do: poured over ice, sipped slowly alongside a plate of fresh seafood or mezedes, with the Aegean shimmering nearby. For anyone travelling through Mytilini, stopping at a traditional ouzo producer is one of the most authentically Lesbian experiences the island has to offer.