Vidiano 2023

Oenops Vidiano is a wine that garners attention both within Greece and internationally—and for good reason. Produced by Nikos Karatzas, this wine consistently earns spots on lists such as Decanter, Jancis Robinson, and the New York Times, making it no surprise that it sells out in record time each year.

The grapes for Vindiano are sourced from old vineyards in the mountainous area of Heraklion in Crete. At 600 metres above sea level, the diurnal temperature differences influence the vines, with warm summer days building concentrated flavours, and cooler evening temperatures allowing refreshing natural acidity to accumulate in the grapes. This results in wines of great balance.

The grapes are hand-harvested during the cool of the night and transported by refrigerated truck, via ferry, to the winery. Once at the winery, slow spontaneous fermentation took place with wild yeasts in four different types of vessels, made from four different elements: clay amphorae, concrete tanks, 600-litre large barrels, and stainless steel tanks, imbuing the wine with impressive complexity and depth. No fewer than 18 different vinifications took place to make this wine.

Once fermentation was complete, the wine was aged for six to nine months in amphorae and concrete tanks, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit, with a small percentage aged in old, large barrels. The wine was bottled unfiltered to retain its purity and elegance.