Just two years after she established her own winery on Mount Vouvala at the age of 26, harnessing the potential of some of Europe’s oldest ungrafted vineyards to widespread acclaim, disaster struck for Iliana Malihin and the residents of southern Crete. Devastating wildfires tore through the region in July 2022, destroying more than 80% of the pre-phylloxera vines and centenarian olive trees around the village of Melambes.Iliana harvested what she could from the charred remains of her vineyards – the oldest of which survived, she says, due to their deep roots and her use of cover crops – and immediately set about helping local growers replant and restore their plots. Iliana is now campaigning for Melambes to become a UNESCO world heritage site.Already considered one of the brightest stars on today’s Greek wine scene, Iliana uses skin contact, extended lees ageing, and an assortment of ageing vessels to craft wines that crackle with energy and tension from indigenous varieties Vidiano, Thrapsathiri, and Liatiko.Iliana’s blend of Vidiano and Thrapsathiri, ‘Lefkos’, combines supple stone fruit alongside matchstick reduction, while her flagship cuvée ‘Rhea’ (from 90-to-140-year-old Vidiano vines) shows expressive citrus fruit and astonishing mineral detail.Aged in old oak, stainless steel, and concrete for 9 months, the silky and ageworthy red from Liatiko is concentrated and spicy, while her vibrantly refreshing Liatiko rosé is made using very gentle extractions.Not only do Iliana’s wines offer a delicious taste of Crete’s uniquely precarious old vineyards, but they are directly helping to rebuild the land and support farmers whose livelihoods have been destroyed. We are delighted to be able to offer these rare bottles direct from the winery.
Red berries and grapefruit – refreshing and gastronomic. Drink to 2028+.
