Samos VINTAGE 2025 The Year of the Stone

A Technical & Viticultural Report from Samos

THE CLIMATE IDENTITY

The 2025 vintage in Samos will be remembered for its stoic resilience. It was a year that taught us a lesson in hydraulic balance and the power of biological adaptation. While the summer headlines were dominated by soaring thermometers, the true quality of the wine was not decided in the heat. It was predetermined by the deep-water reserves of winter and our surgical responses to the shocks of spring.

This is not a vintage of opulent fruit. It is a vintage of structure, tension, and geology. It is, unequivocally, the Year of the Stone.

WINTER: The Recharge (November '24 – February '25)

The narrative of 2025 began underground. The winter months brought intense, restorative rainfall, totalling more than 450mm. For the specific terroir of Samos, this was a blessing.

Our soils—primarily granite and schist—are not solid blocks; they are fractured and fissured.

These geological veins acted as a natural battery, storing this precious rainwater deep within the bedrock, far below the reach of evaporation.

Viticultural Action: The Vegetative Boost

Observing the heavy rains, we knew the vines would wake up with energy. To channel this correctly,

we intervened early with a fermented Nettle Extract (Urtica). Rich in natural nitrogen and iron,

this “herbal tea” acted as a tonic for the vines’ circulatory system, strengthening their vegetative structure for the challenging season ahead.

SPRING: The Cold Brake & The Red Sky (March – May)

Spring proved to be the most dramatic chapter, characterised by violent fluctuations that tested the vineyard’s adaptability.

The Cold Shock (April 6-7)

April was unnaturally cold for the Aegean. A sharp cold front on April 6th and 7th brought temperatures down significantly (<14°C), acting as a “cold brake.” This delayed bud break and placed the vines under early thermal stress, naturally limiting yield potential.

The Dust Event (May 7)

Just as the vines began to recover, a massive wave of African Dust swept across the Aegean on May 7th, turning the sky orange. A fine, red film of particulate matter coated the leaves, threatening to block photosynthesis and clog the stomata (pores).

The Intervention: Wind & Water

We faced a critical dilemma. Washing vines with water is usually risky because it can spread fungal diseases. However, nature provided a window of opportunity. In late May, powerful Northern Winds began to blow. Seizing this moment, we sprayed the canopy with pure water to wash away the dust. The strong winds immediately dried the leaves, evaporating the moisture before any fungal spores could colonise the wet surface. The dust was gone, and the vineyard remained disease-free.

The “Orange” Respiration

With clean leaves, we needed to restart the plant’s metabolism. We utilised a homemade fermentation of whole crushed oranges to extract natural terpenes. Spraying this solution acted as a natural surfactant. This dissolved the dust film, unblocking the leaf stomata and allowing the vines to 'breathe' again This allowed the vines to “breathe” again, maximising transpiration just as the season heated up.

Flowering Support

As the delayed flowering arrived under stress, we applied Chamomile Extract. Acting as a sedative for the plant kingdom, it regulated the vines’ calcium metabolism, ensuring a healthy, uniform fruit set despite the erratic spring.

SUMMER: The Heat & The Mineral Shield (June – August)

We avoided chemical fertilisers that inflate yields. Instead,

July brought the expected Mediterranean intensity, with a severe heatwave peaking around July 24th (reaching 39°C-40°C). The environment became arid. While Downy Mildew was not a threat due to the drought, the risk of Powdery Mildew (Oidium) increased in shaded areas.

The Zero-Copper Strategy

In 2025, we reinforced our commitment to a chemical-free soil. Instead of copper, we built a mineral shield using a mixture of Horsetail (Equisetum) decoction and Zeolite powder.

• Horsetail: High in silica, it strengthened the cell walls of the grape skin.

• Zeolite: This volcanic rock dust acted as a hygroscopic sponge, absorbing excess humidity around the bunches and creating an environment where mildew could not survive.

Regulating the Sap

Throughout the heat, we applied Yarrow (Achillea). This herb regulates the absorption of potassium and sulfur, helping the vines refine their sap flow. This crucial step allowed the grapes to retain their natural acidity and freshness, preventing them from becoming “jammy” under the scorching sun.

HARVEST: Precision & Health (August – September)

The harvest began on August 20th in the lowlands and concluded in September at the highlands.

The results validated our strategy. Thanks to the deep root systems tapping into the winter’s water reserves, and the herbal protection that kept the canopy functioning, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition.

Sanitary Status:

We observed zero Botrytis and zero chemical residues. The skins were thick and crunchy, a result of the silica treatments and the sun.

The 2025 Profile

The wines of 2025 are not defined by an explosion of tropical fruit. They are defined by minerality. They carry the electric tension of the cold April, the memory of the washing winds, and the purity of a year managed without copper. They are vertical, saline, and crystalline.

This is the Year of the Stone.