The vineyard of Santorini: The terroir
Manual work: From pruning to harvesting, everything is done by hand. The vintners have invented a distinct way of pruning, called “kouloura”. The vines stay close to the ground and form a spiral, a natural basket that hosts the grapes and protects them from the strong wind. In areas of notable slope, the vine growers have built stone terraces, known as “pezoules” in order to facilitate the cultivation and to maximize the absorbance of rainwater.
The vineyard of Santorini, one of the most ancient in the world with a 3,500-year history, consists of a World Heritage site.
Volcanic soil: The volcanic eruption formed a soil of unique texture which includes lava, volcanic ash and light stone. That special composition gives birth to grapes of distinctive flavor-profile, hosts low-yield vines and works as a natural shield from diseases. The vineyard in Santorini is self-rooted as it was never affected by the phylloxera.
Dry farming: The vines are not irrigated artificially and the rainfall is rare. Therefore the plants’ watering is dependent on the natural humidity and the sea mist; absorbed by the volcanic soil, they offer the necessary hydration.
Indigenous varieties: Assyrtiko thrives in Santorini, the birthplace of the famous Greek variety. As a single varietal or blended with the aromatic Athiri and the delicate Aidani, it offers the Santorini Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) wines. White, dry wines with high acidity, intense minerality and a remarkable ageing potential.