Maximilian RIEDEL_oinochoos_magazine_portrait_photographer_Athens_greece_Dimitris_Vlaikos

Maximilian Riedel for Oinochoos

It’s not every day that you get to photograph a visionary whose family name has become synonymous with wine culture. In my lenses is Max Riedel, CEO of RIEDEL—the legendary Austrian glassware company, a moment where tradition, innovation, and personality meet in a frame.

The assignment was for Oinochoos, the wine magazine of Kathimerini. The interview focused on Max Riedel's philosophy and what defines success in a competitive industry. His quote—"Success is defined by how many people copy you"—became a striking centerpiece, and I wanted the portraits to match that level of clarity and confidence.

The portrait photoshoot took place in Athens, in a setting that reflected both Riedel's precision and his charismatic presence. I focused on creating portraits that balanced formality with a sense of spontaneity. The light was sculpted to echo the transparency and finesse of the glassware his family is famous for. Subtle reflections and quiet contrasts helped build a visual rhythm, echoing the elegance that RIEDEL brings to wine tasting.

The words of the interview are written by the chief editor Nena Dimitriou.

Maximilian RIEDEL_oinochoos_magazine_portrait_photographer_Athens_greece_Dimitris_Vlaikos

Maximilian RIEDEL_oinochoos_magazine_portrait_photographer_Athens_greece_Dimitris_Vlaikos

Maximilian RIEDEL_oinochoos_magazine_portrait_photographer_Athens_greece_Dimitris_Vlaikos


Summer_Wines_Oinochoos_Dimitris_Vlaikos_portrait_advertising_photographer_athens_greece

Summer Wine Memories

Summer Vacation Wine List is a visual storytelling project for Oinochoos Magazine of Kathimerini News that blends the flavors of fine wine with the essence of summer and the poetry of memories. Picture a serene Greek island, where sun-drenched days stretch lazily into golden evenings.

At the heart of this narrative is a vibrant, free-spirited woman in her early 30s, savoring the simplicity of a summer escape. Her love for wine is more than a taste—it’s a connection to the moments that shape her journey. A chilled white wine mirrors the crisp morning light as she strolls barefoot along the shoreline. A bold red accompanies the laughter of an intimate sunset gathering. Each sip becomes a chapter, every title a memory, blending emotions and flavors into a sensory tapestry of sun, sea, and time well spent.

This project invites the viewer into her story, where wine is not just a drink but a companion to life’s most cherished experiences—an aromatic bridge between taste and memory, weaving summer’s essence into moments that linger long after the season fades.

From the magazine’s intro

“What does it take to create the ultimate wine list for the summer? A team consisting of sommeliers, master sommeliers, oenologists and journalists, taste and recommend a mix of 50 Greek producers. High quality wines from different varieties, winemaking styles. Wines with unique characteristics. We wrote short stories about them for the summer”.

Special Thanks to all the contributors

Chief editor Nena Dimitriou
Set Design & styling Rosa Karac
Girl Eirini Galani
Assist Antonis Kavouris
Production & Location Nasia Diamantidis

And all the friends and family members from Aegina Island that opened their homes and hearts to us. Athina Pikioni & Aris Sorris, Anthe Loizos, Kaiti Giannouli, Panagiotis Marinis.

 

 

Summer_Wines_Oinochoos_Dimitris_Vlaikos_portrait_advertising_photographer_athens_greece
Summer_Wines_Oinochoos_Dimitris_Vlaikos_portrait_advertising_photographer_athens_greece
Summer_Wines_Oinochoos_Dimitris_Vlaikos_portrait_advertising_photographer_athens_greece
Summer_Wines_Oinochoos_Dimitris_Vlaikos_portrait_advertising_photographer_athens_greece
Summer_Wines_Oinochoos_Dimitris_Vlaikos_portrait_advertising_photographer_athens_greece
Summer_Wines_Oinochoos_Dimitris_Vlaikos_portrait_advertising_photographer_athens_greece

oinochoos_cover_june_204_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_Dimitris_Vlaikos


Ioanna_Tsilili_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece

Ioanna Tsilili for Oinochoos Magazine

Portrait photoshoot of the wine maker and artist, Ioanna Tsilili for Oinochoos Magazine. Ioanna Tsilili is a chemical Engineer, Winemaker, Master Distiller and cinema addict . Founder of @tsililisterres. 

Ioanna_Tsilili_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece

Ioanna_Tsilili_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece

Ioanna_Tsilili_headshot_photographer_athens_greece

Ioanna_Tsilili_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece

Ioanna_Tsilili_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece

Ioanna_Tsilili_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece


Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Domaine Hatzimichalis Wine Campaign

With all the support from Leonidas and Panagiotis Hatzimichalis, I followed the wine route in Domaine Hatzimichalis for this greek wine photography campaign. From the Valley of Atalanti, the vineyards, its grounds and the winery until bottling. Every space the human element turns it into a space of creation and defines it. The richness of the natural environment, the value and respect of the ecosystem are highlighted. In this campaign I felt that I followed and captured the steps of our ancestors, from the past to the present.

The producer Dimitris Hatzimichalis is the creator. He is the one who determines the entire production process. He is the one who takes care of quality in all its stages. He is the one who envisions, who chooses, who evolves, always with the aim of the taste, the aroma and the perfect experience of a wine. He made his first wine in his backyard at the age of 19 and several decades later he had excelled the process and became one of the top wine makers in Greece. When Dimitris Hatzimichalis first visited Atalanti Valley he was amazed by its unique ecosystem and fertile land; without second thoughts he bought his first vine hectares in 1973. Today, his privately owned vineyards have reached 220 hectares (520 acres).

In the wine photography process, Hatzimichalis family ties emerge through the relationship with the land, cultivation, passing of wine philosophy from generation to generation. The man who envisioned and made winemaking a reality in the  Koilada Atalanti Dimitris Hatzimichalis and now his sons, Leonidas and Panagiotis, welcome a new look and all together continue the tradition and expand its borders. Both of them are passionately contributing to the family business with their modern mindsets. They work hard to keep the tradition of the winery and maintain their father’s legacy. Their vision, is to expand the brand further and enter in new markets abroad. Lastly, their mission for the winery is to make it even more environmentally sustainable, by reducing wastes, energy/water consumption and by using recyclable materials.

Every year at Domaine Hatzimichalis, the harvest and pruning periods are performed by a group of skillful and experienced women. This was a deliberate choice, as Greek women are known for their caring, patient, and tender character, in addition to their overall courage and strength. These women are who Domaine Hatzimichalis trusts in our tradition of hard work. Dimitris Hatzimichalis always been amazed and inspired by their care for the vineyards, which is essential for the quality of the wines and the brand’s success.

The photography campaign will accompany brand's ads worldwide, exhibitions walls, press releases and magazines presentations.

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

Hatzimichalis_greek_wine_campaign_dimitris_vlaikos

 

 


"Oinoxoos" Wine Magazine Christmas Cover

Portrait photography for Oinoxoos Wine Magazine cover story Christmas 2021 Issue. Oinoxoos opens the curtain of the holidays with a magazine of salvation and anticipation for better days and nights with lights and colors. We tasted and chose one by one hundreds of wines to share with you and clink our glasses. For the photoshoot I used "color therapy" vision for pleasing the eyes of viewers and match  wines taste colors and positivity through saturation. Each one of the participants are sommeliers taking part in this issue wine tasting.
Tina Papasinou, Liza Vitzilaiou, Chryssa Giatra, Sotiria Abartzidi, Ted Lelekas, Dimitris Koumanis, Spiros Zabounis. Out with Kathimerini news.

 

Oinoxoos_Christmas_2021_Cover_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_commercial_headshot_Dimitris_Vlaikos

Oinoxoos_Christmas_2021_Cover_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_commercial_headshot_Dimitris_Vlaikos

Oinoxoos_Christmas_2021_Cover_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_commercial_headshot_Dimitris_Vlaikos

Oinoxoos_Christmas_2021_Cover_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_commercial_headshot_Dimitris_Vlaikos

 

Oinoxoos_Christmas_2021_Cover_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_commercial_headshot_Dimitris_Vlaikos

 


wine maker greece portrait photography

Foivos Papastratis

Portrait advertising Photography For the wine maker Foivos Papastratis and his wine series "F" advertising campaign.
Foivos Papastratis is one of the youngest winemakers in Greece. The grapes of muscat and asyrtiko come from 2 century family privately owned vineyards in Lilandio Field Chalkida. His clasic and timeless portraits with his limeted edition F wine bottles, will accompany the printed and web ads of 2021.


Oinoxoos_wine_cover_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_advertising_commercial_Dimitris_Vlaikos

Oinoxoos After Quarantine Cover

The greek magazine "Oinochoos" about the Greek wine and wine culture, first cover after quarantine days. The idea was a cover of showing our common emotions due of the quarantine days and the step by step come back of us in normality. Over all comes the role of wine in the greek culture and economy.

In this magazine cover I used portrait photography and a dystopic scenery as backround to capture the different forms and emotions of human beings on the five magazine editors to describe balance - independence - the next unknown step - stability - social distancing. A look to the future, ours and the Greek wine from the ancient times to the present day, is a cornerstone of our culture, tradition and prosperity.

Dear editors of "Oinochoos" magazine thank you from the bottom of my heart for your cooperation and trust for this cover.
Published on June 6th with Kathimerini newspaper Sunday Edition.

In this magazine cover I used group portrait photography and a dystopic scenery as backround to capture the different forms and emotions of human beings on the five magazine editors to describe balance - independence - the next unknown step - stability - social distancing. A look to the future, ours and the Greek wine from the ancient times to the present day,  is a cornerstone of our culture, tradition and prosperity.

Oinoxoos_constributors_by_portrait_photographer_athens_greece_advertising_commercial_headshot_Dimitris_Vlaikos

"Oinoxoos" Magazine's Editors

As a contributor portrait photographer in Oinoxoos Magazine, I had the honor to capture some of the most important and well trained, knowledgeable and taste educated greek wine stewards. These series of portraits published in the last issue of Oinoxoos magazine Greece. I 've taken their headshots portraits in Athens published on December Issue of 2019. I preferred the black and white version because it most supportive medium to express in a clear way the texture of their expressions and the diversity of their characters.

Tina Papasinou
Ted Lelekas
Chrysa Giatra
Dimitris Koumanis
Spyros Zouboulis