Diamantis "Magoutes Vineyard" Rosé '25

The Diamantis winery sits in the rugged, mountainous northwestern hinterland of Macedonia. Thanks to its high, inland isolation, it is a place of stark beauty and cool climate that, unlike much of Greece, has no softening maritime influence. 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 through various revolutions, wars, and conflagrations, the complete viticultural history of the area is somewhat obscured.

In this windswept, arid locale, anchored by impressively rocky limestone terroir, Diamantis Winery’s story goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, when Dimitrios Diamantis’s grandfather, one of Siatista’s leading grape growers, hand-grafted what is now the domaine’s centennial vineyard on 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 these varieties, ultimately saving enough genetic material to replant 18 hectares on the slopes of the Magoutes area, at 750 to 890 meters of altitude.

All of this has been made possible by Dimitri’s drive and the equal energy, conviction, and support of his business partner, George Papageorgiou, 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 truly unique wines.

This rosé is made from 80% Xinomavro and 20% Moschomavro, a rare variety, with Diamantis among the few producers still working with it today. On the nose, there are notes of ripe cantaloupe and an almost sanguine meatiness. On the palate, the wine is fresh and generous, with prickly-pear-like red fruit and a finish marked by very fine minerality.

This is one of the best rosé wines we have tried all year, from one of my favorite wineries in Greece!