2023 Moinoterra Winery, Assyrtiko, Crete

Moinoterra is a fantastic little family-run winery in Crete. They're based in Archanes, a historic wine region just south of the famed Knossos Palace archeological site - it's where one of the oldest Minoan wine presses (from the 2nd millennium BC!) was discovered. Moinoterra is all about organic farming with (mostly) native Cretan grapes from these amazing high-altitude vineyards around the sacred Mount Yuhtas, and their wines are super expressive and offer tremendous value. While they usually stick to native Cretan grapes, they couldn't resist making an Assyrtiko from a specific single vineyard. The wine is made in stainless steel, and a portion undergoes some barrel ageing. The result is a wine with a super crisp, vibrant, lemony character, classic Assyrtiko acidity, and a great mineral backbone. It is a perfect summer sipper.