THALASSINOS MICROWINERY

I met Isidoros and Virginia from Thalassinos Microwinery some years ago in Athens and after trying their wines for the first time there, I have decided that I would like to work with them.

But how I met them? Once I went to Crete to visit the winemaker, Iliana Malihin. Iliana, an extraordinary person and winemaker hosted me in her house like a queen and then she told me the bitter truth: “Nikolina, I know you love my wines, but I can’t sell them to you, I don’t have nothing left and the new vintage is pre-sold out. But since you are here, go and visit Thalassinos, they make a very good wine, and they are close by.” I didn’t have time, as I had to fly to Athens for the fair, and guess what? They were in Athens…

First of all, Isidoros and Virgina is a very kind and down to earth, young couple, and I always enjoy being around them. They own a very small, zero waste winery that is located in Finikia, close to Heraklion on the island Crete in Greece. The winery is based on their family’s old farm that is 250 years old. Yes, read that again: 250 years old!

Isodoros and Virginia create natural wines that are wild fermented. They don’t apply any clarifications and filtrations to keep their wines alive. This is the couple that have zero compromise in their vineyards, biodynamic techniques and permaculture are the must.

As a result we have very raw wines that are neither glou glou nor funky (last time I use this word, its terrible!). You can make natural wine that are technically healthy, that are expressing the variety and soil, without having an impression that you are drinking… an apple vinegar. But you can do this only if you are a good winemaker and even better viticulturist. Isidoros and Virginia are and it is a pleasure to watch them growing!