Description

Gaia wines was founded in 1994 by agronomist Leon Karatsalos and oenologist Yiannis Paraskevopoulos. In 1996 they acquired their own vineyard and winery in the Koutsi region of Nemea. Their first wines were the Thalassitis from Santorini followed by the Notios (‘the southerner’) white, which quickly received wide acclaim in the Greek market. Gaia have expanded their range to include red wines based on the indigenous Greek variety Agiorgitiko.

“A well-structured wine with mineral flavours, well-combined with nuances of wood, vanilla, incense and acacia flowers.” – Gaia website

Santorini

Part of the island complex of Cyclades located in the South Aegean. The viticultural region of the island has a size of approximately 1,400 hectares, starting at sea level and ascending in terraces up to the caldera, which has a height of up to 250 metres from sea level. There is evidence to say that the history of this region goes back at least 3000 years.

Aegean Islands

An important historical wine making area. Their strong shipping network helped get their wines over the world. PDOs include Santorini, Rodos, Samos, Limnos and Paros. Of these Santorini is the most famous and important. A volcano where the vines grow in low basket shaped crowns to protect the grapes from strong winds, fog and hot sunshine.

Assyrtiko

The dominant variety of the vineyards in Santorini. It is found in 90% of the white wine varieties, with white wine varieties constituting 80% of the viticultural region of the island. It is an indigenous variety, grown since antiquity and is in complete harmony with the harsh conditions of the island. It is linked to the Santorini soil with its mineral taste, its pronounced acidity and the firm structure that the wines of this variety have.