Samos VINTAGE 2017: The Year of the Crystalline Core

A Technical & Viticultural Harvest Report from Samos

THE CLIMATIC IDENTITY The 2017 vintage in Samos is notable for its extreme contrasts. This year tested viticultural management of thermal energy, with conditions shifting from arctic winters to intense summer heatwaves. The final quality of the harvest was determined by the vines’ ability to adapt to these radical transitions. This vintage is defined by unpredictability, concentration, structural density, and sharp, crystalline acidity. Characterised by contrasts, 2017 is recognised as the Year of the Crystalline Core.

WINTER: The Frozen Recharge (November '16 – February '17)

2017 began with extraordinary cold. January brought heavy snowfall even to the lower elevations of Samos—a rare phenomenon for the island. Winter rainfall and snowfall were substantial, completely replenishing the water table. The soils, dominated by schist and quartz veins, absorbed this moisture efficiently. The low temperatures induced a deep, restorative dormancy in the vines, which naturally reduced pest and disease pressure in the vineyard. Viticultural Action: Supporting Vegetative Growth. As the soils began to warm in late February, the abundance of water posed a risk of explosive, uncontrolled canopy growth. To balance this vigour, an early intervention was implemented using a concentrated Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) decoction. Rich in natural silica, this preparation helped harden vine tissues and supported resilient vegetative development of young shoots, ensuring a robust structure capable of withstanding upcoming climatic shocks.

SPRING: The Smooth Transition (March – May)

Spring was unusually mild and stable, serving as a transitional period between the freezing winter and the impending summer heat. The Delayed Budburst Due to the chilled winter soils, budburst was delayed by nearly two weeks. This natural delay proved a blessing in disguise, as the vines avoided the risks of late-spring frosts. May began with ideal temperatures, resulting in exceptionally uniform and successful flowering across all altitudes. The Intervention: Soil Balancing. With the delayed start to the season, it was necessary to ensure that the vine root systems activated smoothly and absorbed nutrients from the schistose bedrock. A home-brewed Valerian extract fermentation was applied as an organic spray. This preparation acted as a natural regulator, supporting vine adaptation to soil changes and promoting the accumulation of carbohydrate reserves ahead of summer.

SUMMER: The Great Fire & The Mineral Shield (June – August)

To avoid excessive yields and maintain fruit concentration and acidity, strict canopy and bunch management were implemented. July 2017 brought a historic, prolonged heatwave, with temperatures consistently exceeding 41°C for several days. Water stress became a serious concern, threatening to halt photosynthetic activity. The Sun Protection Strategy. Pressure from fungal diseases was absent due to the extreme drought. To protect the grapes from sunburn and dehydration, canopy management ensured that leaves shaded and sheltered the clusters from the intense sun. Additionally, a protective mineral shield was created by spraying the fruit with a zeolite-lavender essential oil mixture, insulating it from radiant heat reflected by the stony ground.    

Zeolite: Coated the leaves and clusters in a white, reflective film, noticeably lowering canopy temperature and preventing sunburn, whilst retaining crucial nocturnal moisture on the foliage.    

Lavender Oil: Used experimentally in combination with zeolite, acting as a natural stabiliser on the leaf surface to limit the shock of rapid transpiration under conditions of extreme thermal stress. Regulating Plant Vigour To prevent rapid, excessive ripening and the loss of acidity under intense sunlight, Yarrow extract was applied to enhance the plant’s natural defences. Combined with strategic canopy management, this approach limited excessive potassium uptake, maintained low pH levels, and preserved the vibrant, saline freshness of the must.

HARVEST: Precision & Concentration (September)

The intense summer heat accelerated ripening through August, resulting in an early harvest that began on 6 September. Coinciding with the full moon, the harvest was conducted at night to take advantage of cooler temperatures and protect primary aromas. Yields were deliberately kept low, resulting in exceptional fruit concentration. Sanitary Condition: The grapes arrived at the winery in absolutely pristine condition—zero botrytis, thick skins, and exceptional aromatic density. The 2017 Profile The 2017 wines are characterised by a rare combination of strength and precision. They exhibit deep concentration from the hot summer, counterbalanced by a vibrant acidity preserved through night harvesting, careful canopy management, and the minerality of the quartz subsoil. These wines are rich yet vertical, dense yet supported by a notable saline structure. This is the Year of the Crystalline Core.