$86.00
Crete is home to a number of native varieties, but there are relatively few plantings of Kotsifali. This wine is incredibly elegant, with lots of red cherry and a stony minerality on the nose. Within a few minutes, it opens up on the palette to sour cherry, wild strawberry and white pepper with fine well-structured tannins and a silky texture.
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Tucked high in the foothills of Crete’s White Mountains, Aori Winery is the kind of place that makes you wonder whether the gods of Mount Olympus once paused here for a cheeky top-up. Led by ex-sommelier Aimilios Andrei (winemaker) and Dimitris Skouras, (viticulturalist), Aori is a boutique estate dedicated to bringing Crete’s ancient grape varieties into the spotlight they deserve. The project is based around some impressive high-elevation vineyards which Aimilios discovered near Spina, on the mountainous coast southwest of Chania. The altitude – the vineyards they work with are between 750- 850m above sea level – gives a much cooler climate than you might expect in the Mediterranean! The winery sits near the village of Alikambos, a pocket of the island known for its breezy elevation, limestone soils, and vineyards that look out toward the Libyan Sea – basically nature’s own temperature-control system. Aori’s philosophy is simple but powerful: Crete’s indigenous grapes have stories to tell, and they’re here to help them sing. That’s why you’ll find varieties like Kotsifali, and the aromatic Muscat of Spina front and centre in their lineup. Yiannis works with a gentle hand, combining modern precision with old-world know-how, crafting wines that are vibrant, expressive, and deeply rooted in place. It’s all very “ancient tradition meets fresh perspective” – the sort of combination that makes wine discovery not just enjoyable, but downright thrilling. If you’re keen on sipping something soulful, sustainably farmed, and unmistakably Cretan, Aori is a winery you’ll want on your radar.
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