The roots of vine growing and winemaking in Mt Athos date back to ancient times as various texts describe. Each monastery used to have its own winery with the production of each one estimated between 8-10 tonnes annually. It was here that in 1969 Evangelos Tsantalis, seeked refuge during a storm and discovered a whole new wine-world and a magnificent terroir.
The idea of reviving the vineyards of the Holy Mountain came into action the following years when an agreement was signed permitting the Tsantali family to take under control an area of 1800 hectares near the Metohi of Chromitsa that belongs to the Russian monastery of Saint Panteleimon.
As we approach Metohi (pictured below) together with Tsantali's agronomist George Salpingidis the landscape is captivating. '' Today 70 hectares are under cultivation and there are plans to increase it to 100 hectares during the next years'' Salpingidis explains, pointing to the old age of the vines. An interesting discussion follows. ''So far he have replanted half of the vineyards, we have to do so as after 50 to 60 years the callus between the rootstock and the scion eventually ''breaks'' and does not function properly. It is a very demanding job to keep these old vines alive and kicking'' he says.