Resting the herd in a shady place. This is what the Greek word Stalisma refers to. There was no better word to define this feeling of rest and refreshment for the Kioutsouki family to convey with their wines.
Kamara Stalisma White is a natural white wine, aged on lees and made from native Greek varieties: malagousia and xinomavro. Specifically, this winery is located on the slopes of Mygdonia, in the municipality of Oraiokastro (in Thessaloniki), northern Greece. Right here, 30 km from Thessaloniki, the Kioutsouki family planted 11 hectares of vineyards to produce wines with the clear philosophy of maintaining the natural balance and influencing the natural order of the environment as little as possible. This thinking, which has led them to achieve organic certification, has also put them on the path of biodynamic crops and natural winemaking, carrying out artisanal and traditional work that had even been forgotten in the area. ‘Nature is the true winemaker, man is his assistant,’ assures Dimitrios Kioutsouki, current owner and latest generation.
Dimitrios Kioutsouki is currently in charge of an estate where, from the beginning, he has opted for native varieties: xinomavro, assyrtiko, malagousia, roditis, limnio, merlot, white muscat and fileri. With an average age of seven years, these vineyards grow on a wide variety of clay and sandy soils with a mixture of stones and shale. The vines face east, at 140 metres above sea level and under the influence of a refreshing north wind, present all year round in the area.
Kamara Stalisma White is harvested by hand (with a little alcohol to guarantee acidity) and prepared in the winery with total respect and delicacy, without modifying the character of the wine: no added yeasts, little or no racking, aging on lees and limited filtration and fining. Each of the Kamara Stalisma White varieties is fermented separately. When finished, the wine is blended and left to settle on its fine lees for at least 3 months. Kamara Stalisma White will remain here until the following spring, when it will be bottled unfiltered, unclarified and without the addition of sulphites (only with tartrate stabilisation).
Since 1900, after phylloxera, the Mygdonia area saw the death of the vineyard tradition. It is currently being recovered by the Kioutsouki family. All this effort deserves a toast, and what better than to do it with Kamara Stalisma White, a refreshing white wine, perfect for enjoying al fresco on hot summer afternoons. Cheers!