Hatzidakis produces some of Greece’s finest wines that clearly and charismatically radiate their Aegean origins. Not only are they great wines in the context of the modern Greek wine scene, but they are also wines that can easily stand toe-to-toe with the best producers all over Western Europe. Hatzidakis' island home of Santorini is scattered with a stable of high-quality indigenous and regional grape varieties and benefits from consistently sunny and dry conditions well suited to grape growing. Factor in the volcanic soil, some of which is practically un-weathered from a massive volcanic eruption less than 4000 years ago, and you quickly realize this is a terroir primed for making world-class, unique wines. Haridimos Hatzidakis, a Cretan native, and his wife Konstantina Chryssou, founded the winery 25 years ago, and the winery’s tremendous success is due in large part to their painstaking work and clear vision. They worked on a small scale since their first vintage, utilizing organic farming in all of their vineyards (the first to do so on the island) and eschewed manipulation in the winery. The goal has always been to create distinct, terroir-driven wines, rather than to merely emulate an international style with indigenous grape varieties. The winery is most identified with their Assyrtiko, the iconic native white grape of Santorini that weaves potent minerality and saline acidity onto a powerful frame. They have also built a legacy supporting the lesser-known, indigenous varieties of the island, including the red, Mavrotragano grape. Their ’97 monovarietal Mavrotragano bottling was one of the first of its kind. Unfortunately, Haridimos passed away unexpectedly in the summer of 2017, leaving the winery in the hands of his three children. His eldest daughter Stella Hatzidakis has forged ahead with the project and continued what her father had started. A recent tasting of new arrivals from the property reignited our passion for these wines and reminded us how much the Hatzidakis Winery has to offer. While the grapes may not be familiar, the quality of these wines is self-evident. There’s so much pleasure and class in these wines, and they’re perfect to enjoy during these hot summer months. Please take advantage of this wonderful offer and have a great weekend if we do not hear from you sooner! The wines below are offered on a first come, first served basis. Follow the links below to purchase directly from our site or call/email us if you need some assistance. Cheers, |
| | | | | | | THE WINES | | | 2019 Hatzidakis Santorini Assyrtiko Familia | | 6 BOTTLES AVAILABLE | | $39.00/BOTTLE | | Familia is Hatzidakis' entry level Assyrtiko but is nevertheless a stunning example of the grape. This cuvée is drawn from a 15-20 year old plot of estate vines planted in the traditional basket training system of Santorini on their own roots. It is fermented with native yeast at a controlled temperature and aged for 5 months on the lees in steel. While Assyrtiko is never light, this cuvée always plays into a leaner and brigher side of the grape. The 2019 shows unctous nectarine fruit along side zesty cirtus with saline acidity on a medium bodied frame. Perfect for richer seafood such as scallops or meaty fish. | | 2020 Hatzidakis Santorini Assyrtiko Familia | | 18 BOTTLES AVAILABLE | | $39.00/ BOTTLE | | The recently arrived 2020 vintage of Hatzidakis' Assyrtiko Familia is showing beautifully right out of the gate with ripe stone fruit and tart citrus tones on the nose backed by a slightly nutty, leesy note. The palate is quite full but braced by crackling acidity and piercing minerality. This is an impactful white with plenty of focus to keep things fresh that keeps pulling you back to the glass for another taste. Simply lovely! | | 2020 Hatzidakis Santorini Assyrtiko Cuvée No 15 | | 12 BOTTLES AVILABLE | | $57.99/BOTTLE | | Hatzidakis built a reputation as one of the most inspired producers of Assyrtiko, in part because of their willingness to experiment with the grape. Cuvée no 15 is drawn from 3 different certified organic vineyards ranging in age from 15-40 years old. The grapes were destemmed and left in contact with the juice for a mere 12 hours before fermentation. This lent the wine extra texture and undeniably unctuous flavors that are easily supported by Assyrtiko's characteristic tension. The wine was then aged for 6-8 months on the fine lees in steel before bottling. The 2020 vintage flaunts golden fruit inflected with spice tones and reserved floral notes over a round, leesy palate that has a grippy mineral finish. This is a wine that leans into the powerful side of Assyrtiko and does so flawlessly! Try it with fried oysters, fish dressed in cream sauce, roasted pork, or washed rind cheese. A great bottle to hold in the cellar for a few years if you can resist pulling the cork now. | | 2017 Hatzidakis Cyclades Mavrotragano | | 18 BOTTLES AVAILABLE | | $57.99/BOTTLE | | While Santorini is most readily identified with Assyrtiko, it would be a mistake to take a pass on Hatzidakis' Mavrotragano red. You'd be forgiven if you had never heard of this obscure grape variety which is planted to only a few percent of Santorini's vineyards, an island slightly larger than Manhattan. Hatzidakis was one of the first producers to make a monovarietal Mavrotragano beginning in 1997 and even today there are still only a handful of producers who bottle one. In the right hands it can yeild truly stately wines as evidenced by Hatzidakis’ 2017 vintage - medium bodied with lively texture and characteristic minerality, this wine is supple rather than steely with savory red fruit and notes of forest floor, mint, and violets. The tannins are present but perfectly ripe, enlivened by crisp acidity to round out this impeccably balanced wine. It would be a stellar match for everything from meaty fish to lamb, goat, or beef cuts like skirt steak or bavette. Hand harvested from low-yielding, own rootted old-vines, destemmed, and fermented with native yeast in stainless steel. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels of mixed age and size, bottled unfiltered. | |
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