In 1996 Haridimos Hatzidakis replanted a small vineyard which was abandoned since 1956, because of the large earthquake in Santorini. This vineyard of half hectare, which lies at an altitude of 330 meters, in the village of Pyrgos Kallistis, was cultivated organically with Aidani, an indigenous variety of Santorini.
An existing traditional small cave was transformed, in the summer of 1997, into a or ‘Kanava”, which is the traditional name of the wineries of Santorini. The first bottles of wine of the were released in May 1999, with the "Santorini", harvested in 1998 and the Red "Mavrotragano» vintage 1997.
The peculiarity of the vineyards of Santorini is mainly associated with the indigenous varieties, the island's unique ecosystem, which is characterized by volcanic soil, strong winds, rare rainfalls, hot and dry summers but also with the very important fact that the Vineyards of Santorini have never been infected by Phylloxera.
The old ungrafted, non-irrigated vines of Santorini are trained by the growers into basket-like shapes on the soil surface or like short Cups, in order to protect them from strong winds. They are watered by the summer night humidity that remains on the volcanic soil.
The low yields, ranging between 3 and 3.5 tons of grapes per hectare (or 20 hl/ha) gives to the wines aromatic finesse, mineral palate, lavish volume and a high capacity of ageing and resulting in wines of an intense and complex character.
As such, the wines of Santorini are offered as wines of high gastronomic value.
