Santorini Wine Tour

Yesterday we went on a very interesting tour of The Secret Wine Routes of Santorini. Santorini has a very long wine making history made difficult by the harsh conditions in which the grapes grow. Only unique indigenous varieties are used because of the volcanic terrain that the plants are grown. This is responsible for the unique character of the wines.

 Because of the high winds on the island the vines are trained and woven into a circular basket shape. No irrigation is used. The water droplets that form on the leaves from the sea fog drop down onto the pumice ash soil which acts like a sponge for the plants to extract their water from. Also during rainfall ( which is only 400mm a year )in the winter the water drains down into the porous soil and rock and then in the summer the heat draws the water nearer the surface where the plants can draw the water to nourish the vines.

 Then I got distracted by the sight of a Pistachio nut tree. First time I had seen them growing.

 On the way to the second family vineyard we walked through the small town of Megalochori with its imposing bell tower. Very sleepy and beautiful little place.

 Entrance to the Winery Cave.

 After many years of training and producing, the plants are unable to absorb the nutrients any longer and the grapes become too small so the plants are cut off at the base (above). This is usually done when the baskets approach 75 years of age. A New plant eventually sprouts from a dormant eye on the old root stock and then a new basket will be trained with production for harvest in 2-3 years. A lot of the original root stock that we saw was hundreds of years old. It was amazing and so interesting.

 A novel way to store some of your wine collection. A boat shaped timber seat ( of course whitewashed) with a glass plate on top for the seat.

 Leading into the wine cave.

 The ring in the sea to the left of Richards head is where a Greek cruise ship The Sea Diamond sank after running aground on a well marked volcanic reef in 2005. The ring is in place to contain the oil and extract what comes to the surface.

 The winding steep road up to the top of the island.  A little bit hair raising if you dared to look down from the bus window.

 A close up of the oil containment ring.

 Some blokes treasure palace in one of the plots off the vineyard site.

 Very young vines growing in the new winery we visited last. They will not begin training until next year. Phil and Joan Im wondering what you are thinking right now!!!!

Sunset from Santorini.

Goodnight.