Our philosophy in the vineyard
Estate Argyros works almost exclusively with old vines because only these vineyards can provide the depth, the definition and the concentration needed to produce the desired style of wine. Work in the vineyard is meticulous, with hundred of man-hours per hectare annually, since every single vine is considered a unique organism. Timing of harvest is carefully determined plot by plot, in order to pick at optimum ripeness, eschewing the problem of overripeness, a frequent Siren in the vineyards of Santorini.
Our philosophy in the cellar
Estate Argyros is an artisan producer crafting small quantities of top quality wines. The recipe in the cellar is that there is no recipe, with each plot being harvested, vinified and aged separately until very late in the production process. Each plot is treated with the required sensitivity, in order to express its birthplace, while achieving purity and elegance. To achieve the quintessential Argyros style, patience is required and many wines are kept in the cellars for years or, in the case of the Vinsantos, decades, so the winery has been designed to accommodate for such a vision. Oak, mainly in the form of old and large French oak barrels, is always used to underline the character of a wine, never to create it.
Sustainability
Estate Argyros vines are farmed organically, without using pesticides. Each vineyard work is done manually, apart from ploughing, carried out by mules. The vines are not irrigated and most of the additions in the vineyard are by-products of the wine making process, like composted stems and grape skins.
The Estate Argyros winery was also designed with true respect to the Santorini landscape and aesthetics, while being environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
Autochthonous Varieties
The Santorini grape varieties have been shaped by the unique environment of the island, something that can be traced in the individuality of their character. These varieties attract attention from wine lovers and vine growers around the world, with increasing plantings not just in Greece but in other countries and other continents. Assyrtiko, together with Mavrotragano and Aidani, are the heritage grapes of Santorini that deserve total dedication and resilience.