Diamantis Magoutes "Vieilles Vignes" Blanc '23

The Diamantis winery sits in the rugged, mountainous northwestern hinterland of Macedonia. Thanks to its high, inland isolation, it’s a place of stark beauty and cool climate that, unlike most of Greece, has no softening maritime influences. In this landscape sits Siatista, a town whose history with vines runs back to at least 1670, although because records have been lost or destroyed by various revolutions, wars, and conflagrations, the complete viticultural history of this area is somewhat obscured. 
 
In this windswept, arid locale, anchored on an impressively rocky limestone terroir, Diamantis Winery’s story goes back to the beginning of 20th century, when Dimitrios Diamantis’s grandfather, one of Siatista‘s leading grape growers, hand-grafted the now-centennial vineyard of the domaine on the family land. Yet as time passed and grape growing became less profitable, most of the region’s vineyards faded into obscurity until, by the 1970s, only a few old vines survived. In the early 1990s, the winery focused on protecting and reviving the varieties and managed to save enough genetic material to replant 18 hectares on the slopes of the Magoutes area (750–890 meters in altitude). All of this has been made possible by Dimitri’s energetic drive and the equal energy, conviction, and support of George Papageorgiou, his business partner, whose family also hails from Siatista. The two families share a common vision for their homeland: to protect and revive the region’s viticultural heritage and its potential to produce unique wines.

The Magoutes Vineyard “Vieilles Vignes” white is made from 100% Xinomavro, grown on limestone and clay soils. While a still blanc de noir is uncommon in the wine world overall, this bottling is reminiscent of a young, extremely pure version of Chablis. Notes of citrus and stone fruit flesh out a core of minerality. The wine is lean and taut on the palate, showing the potential to blossom with extended age. For now, enjoy it with sashimi or oysters, and stock up on more to drink in the years to come.