Sant'Or Roditis Achaia PGI 2023

Let us travel to just outside Patra -  the third largest Greek city - and meet local grower Panoagiotis Dimitropoulos, a gentleman who is cultivating 4.5 hectares of biodynamic vineyards at an impressive altitude of 600 meters above sea level. The first viticulturist to receive Demeter certification, he comes from a long lineage of wine growers, having inherited his vineyards from his father. A man who believes in experimentation, don’t be surprised to find him utilizing clay amphoras, cement, and old oak for his aging vessels. Mainly, he works with reclaimed, 2-centuries-old amphorae composed of local clays, striving to progress his estate forward while borrowing wisdom from the past. Ever heard of roditis? Apart from being the second most widely planted grape of Greece, it is the main star of this show stopping spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel. Aged in stainless steel for 6 months, where it also went through malolactic, it is bottled unfined and unfiltered, with minimum sulfites. Expect a snap of yellow apple skin and a whiff of rosemary Triscuits. A hint of bay laurel adds to the subtle herbaceousness of this refreshing and round expression of roditis. With texture for days, we think it’s the perfect white to introduce to someone who “only drinks red.” Certified organic, certified biodynamic, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.