THE HARVEST

The concept of the year is very important for non-technological wines, like the ones we create at Moinoterra The climatic conditions but also the cultivation practices affect each harvest and give the uniqueness of each year.

2023 was characterized as one of the most difficult viticultural year. The biggest problem was the downy mildew fungus that had been appearing for several years in Crete and created big problems especially for unsuspecting and careless winegrowers. Fortunately for our winery, with the timely and authoritative guidance of our agronomist, we managed to get through the year without significant losses. The biggest problem occurred in the organic vines, but the reduced production yielded an excellent grape. The year had several fluctuations with heavy rains in May and heat in the second fortnight of July.

The harvest started with the first Moschato Spinas on 18/8, while the last Moschato Spinas in the terroir Chosta tooke place on 9/9. On 9 and 10/9, Vilana was harvested, as well as Kotsifali. Assyrtiko was harvested on 29/9 while the harvest was completed with Mandilari at the beginning of October.

The growing season of the year 2022 was characterized in Archanes by the heavy and cold winter with a lot of rainfall. In the summer, the meltings were intense and long and generally there were no heat waves, which helped the ripening to develop without problems. Rainfall of a hydrological year: 838 mm. There was also a beneficial Rainfall 11-13 June, valuable for perching.

In terms of plant protection, the winegrowers of Archana had to make efforts in order to have excellent grapes and not to end up being attacked by the blight, the first generation of which caused serious problems for several producers on the island. In contrast, downy mildew and cicadas did not create problems.

The Harvest was held in favorable weather conditions. It started on 20.8 with the first Moschato Spinas from the site Anemomilos, continued on 29-30/8 with the first Kotsifalia and Malvasia. On the 11th and 12/9, the Vilana and Moschato Spinas were harvested from Thesis Hosta. On 9/20 and 21/9, Kotsifali and Mantilari were harvested from the most mountainous plots in Thesi Kefala at an altitude of 650m and the harvest was completed with Mantilari in Thesi Asomama on 13/10.

2021 was the first vintage for our winery. An experimental Vinification was carried out in a limited number of bottles for Vilana, Assyrtiko and PDO Archanes (Kotsifali-Mandilari). The results were amazing from the very first year highlighting the uniqueness of the Archanes terroir.

The year was relatively dry with little rain and almost no disease on the vine resulting in a healthy fruit. The characteristic of the year was the high temperatures and the great heatwaves during August.

The harvest started with Vilana which was harvested at 12.8 bume on 3/9, we continued with Assyrtiko on 16/9 and the very first harvest ended with Kotsifali and Mandilari from terroir Kefala which were harvested two days apart on 19 and 21/9

SUSTAINABILITY

From the beginning we wanted our story to be written correctly. That's why we are very careful about every aspect of it as it unfolds. Through gentle management in the vineyard, with the minimal intervention in the winemaking process, attention to detail during bottling, and selecting partners who respect the land and its fruits, we strive to become increasingly better at what we do, while at the same time we're looking at the next day. For the purpose of sustainable development we take care of every stage of the process be done with respect for the environment, so that the land can continue to be fertile and healthy in the future.

Archanes, Heraklion, Crete, 70100

2023 CREATED BY blacknwhite & Butterfly Stories
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Two unique plots in the zone of Archanes with loamy lands sloping so as to drain well and which are grown from two local growers with a lot of diligence and passion. The specific plots have the potential for controlled irrigation when and if required to do so. The vines are 7 and 12 years old respectively.

Vineyard in the Place of a Windmill
Coordinates: 35.21579232405628, 25.15240182000024
Elevation: 600

Vineyard in Place of Chosta
Coordinates: 35.22652647044981, 25.146226633674477
Elevation: 470m

Vinification: The harvest took place on August 20 and September 12, followed by classic white vinification with pre-fermenting cryo-extraction. Only the free-run juice was vinified at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting: Nose with a strongly floral characteristics , subtle notes of evening primrose. Unexpectedly full-mouthed, being a Muscat, with freshness and mild acidity, sense of unripe melon and wild oregano.

A cool summer blend of Kotsifali and Moschato Spinas from selected vineyards of the Archana area. The grapes that were vinified come from soils of medium mechanical composition of two main types: Sandy clay and Clay loam. A modern and elegant wine in the color palette of the wines of Provence with a floral nose and a rich fatty body.