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Origin:
Naoussa, Imathia, Greece
Grape:
100% Xinomavro
ABV:
13.5%
Producer Profile
Diamantakos Estate is a small family run winery, located in the heart of Naoussa’s PDO zone, in the Mantemi region. Always looking towards the future and respecting Naoussa’s rich viticulture history and tradition, we focus on cultivating two indigenous varietals, Xinomavro and Preknadi. Our story begins in grandpa George Diamantakos’s vineyard, first generation viticulturist, located at Isvori, Naoussa. It was there, where a huge old walnut tree was uprooted by a strong wind, revealing the remains of the philosopher Aristotle’s School, where it is said that Alexander the Great studied. The land was then bought by the government. In 1978, the family purchased the land which is now our winery and vineyards, marking the continuation of our journey. In 1998, Evangelos Diamantakos, second generation viticulturist-winemaker and son of George, bottles the first wine of the estate. Fast forward to today, the annual production averages 2.000 cases. All tasks from the vine to the bottle are carried out by hand, focusing on the noble contribution of the human factor and preserving biodiversity. We seek to create with passion and responsibility wines that highlight the two indigenous varietals of the unique ecosystem of Naoussa.
Grape
Xinomavro means ‘sour black’. Its berry has low levels of anthocyanins, high acidity, skin and seeds that construct its flavour and varied sugar content in every vintage. Xinomavro does not make it easy for the winemaker. The cultivation of Xinomavro is fascinating, as it is a very challenging grape. The land, the correct set up of the vineyard, the ideal care of the grapes cultivation, following the vinification process after careful planning and knowledge make what seems a disadvantage into the ultimate material in the hands of a winemaker to produce great wines.
Region
Naoussa is its people and its wine. It is the mountain range Vermio, the river Arapitsa, the many streams, the successive waterfalls, the cultural heritage, the local gastronomy, the unique scenery and the town with its small neighbourhoods.
On the east foothills of Vermio, rich terrains with complex geological features are formed, even within the narrow boundaries of a vineyard. The altitude, the orientation, the subsoil, the wind exposure and the inclination are changing unceasingly within a small plot of land.
The narrow bands with rugged slopes, the sunny fields with poor or rich soils, the semi-mountainous properties by the river, the sm
Viticulture
The year 2019 was unique. We harvested enough healthy grapes with phenolic ripeness and at the same time acidity unprecedentedly good for a Mediterranean vineyard. It was a year that progressed smoothly from the beginning of winter and ended with the harvest in mid-October, without the vineyard enduring extreme weather conditions. The rainfall was evenly spread throughout the year and provided sufficient water for the plants, to withstand the July drought. During the hot summer the grapes ripened without heat waves, keeping the acidity at satisfactory levels. We harvested Xinomavro at the end of September, satisfied with the quality of the raw materials and with the anticipation that we will get wonderful wines that only get better with age and continue to amaze us with their character.
Vinification
We rely on a basic work plan that includes the careful sorting of every berry, pre-fermentation cold soaking of the grapes, controlled alcoholic and malolactic fermentation of the juice, the grape pomace and the new wine respectively. These are tasted daily and hygiene principles are covered throughout all the stages of winemaking.