The grapes come from a specific plot in Santorini called ‘Thalassina’. This ancient piece of land is located in the highest spot of Megalohori, which expresses the typical characteristics of Santorini’s Assyrtiko with striking intensity and, at the same time, wonderful finesse. The self-rooted vines are ancient, ungrafted vines with an ancient root system of over three centuries. The vines are trained on Kouloura, a local system where canes are woven into the vines and shaped into large wreath-like baskets which rest on the island’s volcanic soil. Once fruiting begins, the grapes grow sheltered within their ‘woven’ baskets, protecting them from the adverse weather conditions in Santorini. The climate can be challenging, with strong winds gathering momentum, especially in spring when budding begins, whipping up the volcanic sands that lash at the vines as the wind swirls around them. The nocturnal sea mist slightly mitigates the scorching summertime sun and lack of water. The vines produce exceptionally low yields of beautifully concentrated fruit, carefully hand-harvested at optimum maturity.