2020 Harvest Report

For our Winery, Maronia was the initiating point of this year’s harvest on August 17th. The 2020 vintage was late for the regions of Halkidiki by one week for the white varieties, while for the red varieties, it was approximately on the normal dates for the region. In the vineyard of Mount Athos, the harvest recorded a delay of 15 days. The harvest for our vineyard in Stranza in Naoussa started on September 21st and ended on October 7th. Rapsani was the region that marked the finish of this year’s harvest, as we entered the vineyards at the highest altitude of the PDO zone (sub-zone C / 500 – 800 meters) on October 1st.

[ Halkidiki and Mount Athos ]           

HALKIDIKI

The region of Halkidiki recorded a delay of one week in relation to the harvest of 2019 in the white varieties. In the red varieties it was approximately on the normal dates for the region. On the one hand, the delay of the white varieties is due to the heavy rainfall during the spring and at the beginning of the summer and on the other hand to the dry conditions that prevailed from the middle of the summer. However, the rain on the last of August had a favorable effect on the red varieties, leading to full phenolic maturity.

METOHI MOUNT ATHOS

The harvest in Mount Athos’ area started on August 24th, recording a 15-day delay compared to the 2019 harvest, mainly due to the climatic conditions throughout the vegetation period. In the spring, a high percentage of rainfall was recorded, especially during the flowering period. This led to poor fruit setting and, therefore low production. Then during the summer, intense dry conditions were noted that often stopped the maturation. The result of all this was the delay we mentioned at the beginning of the harvest.

From both regions, the fermented white wines are distinguished for their aromatic intensity and high acidity. Based on the results to date, the year is estimated to feature highly aromatic and full white and rosé wines with high acidity. In contrast, red wines are expected to show high alcohol content, high phenolic potential, and high ageing potential.

[ Maronia ]

The harvest in Maronia started on expected dates for the area without any particular plant protection or pest management problems and with approximately the same yields as last year. The main climatic characteristics of the year were, on the one hand, the lack of heat, on the other hand, the drought.

White and rosé wines are expected to be particularly aromatic and red to have an intense fruity character.

[ Rapsani ]

The harvest started on September 24th from the vineyards of the sub-zone A (up to 250 meters altitude), while within the next five days (from September 28th), we continued in the vineyards of the sub-zone B (250-500 meters altitude). From October 1st, the harvest began in the vineyards of the highest altitude (sub-zone C: 500+ meters altitude).

In our winery in Rapsani, the grapes we received were the healthiest of recent years – with good levels of maturity, high alcohol content, and regular color intensity.

[ Naoussa ]

The harvest started on September 21st in our vineyard in Strantza and was completed on October 7th. The grapes’ phenolic maturation was not at last year’s levels; however, the grapes we received in our winery in Naoussa were healthy with satisfactory aroma and sugar levels. This year’s production was reduced by about 5%.

TSANTALI Viticulture & Oenology Department

Dr. George Salpigidis                                                 Ilias Antoniadis   

Head of Viticulture Department                                 Oenologist-Head Winemaker

Andreas Anthomelidis

Agronomist – In charge of Naoussa & Rapsani Vineyards

Stavros Ezanidis

Head of Tsantali Quality Assurance Department

Oenologist – In charge of Rapsani Winery

In charge of Tsantali Distillates

Release date of Harvest Report: October 20^th, 2020

For any further information,  please contact: marketing@tsantali.gr