Mina Distributors’ Sales Representative Donna Taylor took time during the summer to tour several Greek winery operations that produce a variety of wines offered to Connecticut customers: Santo Wines, located in the town of Pyrgos on the island of Santorini; Muses Estate in Askri, Viotia, in Central Greece in the heart of the Valley of the Muses; and Lantides Winery in the Peloponnese, Nemea, south of Athens. Santo Wines produces its still and sparkling whites, reds and rosés from five indigenous PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) grapes found in Santorini: Mavrotragano and Mandalaria for reds, and Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani for whites. The Muses Estate produces its 9 Muses line, among others, including Amuse and Chrisolithos; it is also unique in the world for using the Mouhtaro grape to create complex reds, as well as its use in blends for two different dry rosé offerings. Lantides Winery was established in 1993, creating its award-winning wines at an altitude of 2,132 feet (650 meters).
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- The Santo Wines facility on the island of Santorini with a caldera view.
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- In a practice called kouloura, vintners at the Santo winery prune the ancient vines into baskets that shield grapes from the elements.
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- The Assyrtiko grapes thrive in the volcanic soil, only watered by sea mist, humidity and the occasional rainfall.
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- Thanasis Zacharias; Donna Taylor, Sales Representative, Mina Distributors; and Stelios Zacharias at Muses Estate. The Zacharias family has run the winery for three generations.
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- Mina Distributors’ Donna Taylor with a colorful tasting lineup.
Photos courtesy of Donna Taylor.
