Why it matters
The producer
Magoutes Vineyard works in Siatista with the indigenous Xinomavro and the rare Moschomavro. The estate's named bottles are Magoutes Moschomavro and Magoutes Vineyard Vieilles Vignes Blanc, a red and a white built from those two grape varieties.
Dimitrios Diamantis and George Papageorgiou founded Magoutes Vineyard to preserve and restore Siatista's ancient viticultural heritage. Magoutes now produces PGI Siatista wines and seeks PDO recognition for the region. PGI and PDO are geographic designations that connect wine to a named place and its production rules. PGI is the current designation on the wines, while PDO is the designation sought for Siatista.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Siatista 50300, Greece, is home to Magoutes Vineyard. The estate lies in the high altitude Siatista region, at around 750 metres and above. At this elevation, cooler conditions can slow ripening, preserve acidity, and keep fruit aromas bright.
In the early 1990s, the partners replanted 18 hectares on rocky limestone and clay slopes. Rocky ground drains quickly, while clay holds more water, so the mixture creates different moisture conditions for vines. Those conditions can change the pace of ripening during dry periods.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Vineyard work is organic and low intervention. The 2023 Moschomavro matured in concrete for up to six months before bottling. Concrete is a neutral vessel that does not add oak flavour during maturation, so fruit and acidity develop without barrel wood.
Wines to know
The range in view
The two named bottles are one red and one white. Magoutes Moschomavro is a red wine made from 100% Moschomavro. Magoutes Vineyard Vieilles Vignes Blanc is a dry white.
The 2024 Moschomavro opens with rose, cherry, cranberry, sour cherry, lavender, raspberry liqueur, strawberry, and herbal tea. It is light bodied, high in acidity, and supported by silky tannins, with fresh and ripe cherries, sour cherries, strawberries, marjoram, and lavender on the palate.