Assyrtiko Monograph by Gaia 2024

Gaia was founded in 1994 by two friends, Agronomist Leon Karatsalos and Oenologist Yiannis Paraskevopoulos. They began with a small vineyard on the beautiful Island of Santorini.

Santorini's vineyards are known for cultivating the indigenous grape variety, Assyrtiko—a unique Mediterranean grape that thrives in exceptionally challenging climatic conditions. Despite the poor, porous volcanic soil primarily made of pumice, Assyrtiko grapes produce wines with notably high acidity. Gaia's vineyards, situated on the southeastern slopes of Episkopi, Akrotiri, and Pyrgos regions, exclusively consist of 70-80-year-old, ungrafted vines, resulting in remarkably low yields. In today's technologically advanced world, this is an extraordinary anomaly and a wine that deserves preservation and admiration.

In 1996, Leon and Yiannis acquired a fully operational winery with vineyards in Nemea, located just outside Athens. Here, they cultivate the red grape variety Agiorgitiko, which is considered a remarkable grape. Agiorgitiko can be crafted into a variety of styles, ranging from fruity rosé and light-bodied reds best enjoyed slightly chilled to full-bodied reds that benefit from oak aging and can be aged and improved for many years. In many respects, Agiorgitiko is akin to Greece's Nebbiolo.

Gaia is renowned for producing a diverse range of exceptionally high-quality wines in various styles. Renowned wine critic Robert Parker describes them as ‘one of Greece's finest wineries, producing crisp Santorini whites and Agiorgitiko that ranks among Greece's best.’ They were named Wine & Spirits Winery of the Year in 2007, 2009, and 2010!