The Vineyard
The vineyard covers an area of 4 acres and is developed on 8 terraces, which helps to drain the soil and prevent rot on the vines’ roots. It is located at 150m altitude from sea level, was planted in 1987 with 5.200 vines in linear shape, with the following white varieties: Assyrtiko and Aidani from Santorini, Athiri from Rhodes, and the red variety Liatiko from Crete. The aim was to produce a unique dessert wine with the same method used 2,500 ago.
Harvesting is done selectively from mid-August and then the grapes are sun-dried for approximately 15 days, prior to the vinification process.
The characteristics of the estates’ wine are formed by the unusual microclimate of Karystos. The strong August winds defοliate the vines and the grapes are exposed to the sun, which results in the grapes maturing on the vine, giving a special color and special aromas to the wine.
The vineyard is a model one and was monitored by the Vine Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture for over a 10-year period.
Building
Montofoli Estate’s Vineyard
Montofoli Estate’s vineyard was planted in 1987 and covers an area of 4 acres that develops on 8 terraces located at 150m altitude from sea level. The terraces help drain the soil and prevent rot on the vines’ roots. Today we cultivate the 5.200 old vines in linear shape. We planted four indigenous varieties famous for making dessert wine: Assyrtiko and Aidani from Santorini, Athiri from Rhodes, and the red variety Liatiko from Crete. We also planted the international white variety Grenache blanc. Our aim is to produce a unique dessert wine with the same method used 2,500 ago, the passerillage, namely the sun-drying of the fruit.
Harvesting starts selectively usually from the end of July until the midde of August. The grapes sun-dry in the open air on our wine cellar court for approximately 10-15 days, during which time their juice concentrates further before the vinificaton process starts.
In addition to a terroir rich in minerals, the unusual microclimate of our area characterizes the wine : Karystia is famous for its very strong winds, especially in August. This resutls in the defοliating of the vines and exposing the grapes to the sun. The result is a dessert wine with beautiful amber colour and rich taste.