GAI'A Ammonite

GAI'A Ammonite

Wine Description

One of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution, Gai’a Estate (pronounced Yay-ya) was established in 1994 by Leon Karatsalos and winemaker Yiannis Paraskevopoulos. Their mission was to capture the best that Greece’s indigenous grapes have to offer by merging traditional viticultural and production methods with innovative techniques. Named after the winery's emblem, the ammonite (a fossil marine organism), GAI'A Ammonite represents the perfection one can find in nature.

GAI'A Santorini beach tasting
GAI'A Nemea Vineyards
Nemea Winery
Santorini Winery
Yiannis Paraskevopoulos and Leon Karatsalos
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Acclaim
“Hazelnut, ripe lemons and juicy peaches on the palate. Viscous and tropical, reminiscent of a New World Chardonnay, yet a distinctive salty and mineral streak persists. Light char on the long finish. I would like to see how this wine develops over time. A very old plot in Megalochori nurtures this structured wine.” — Decanter, Oct 2024
“Quite fleshy fruit aromas with notes of apple blossom, lime juice and hints of fresh basil. Textural palate, with gentle acidity.” — Decanter, Jun 2024
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
PDO SANTORINI
Vineyard name
Thalassina Vineyard
Soil composition
Volcanic
Elevation:
656 feet
Average Vine Age:
Very old ungrafted vines with over 3 centuries old root system
Certified Eco-Friendly Practices:
Practices (not certified)
Certifying Organizations:
Vegan Certified
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Assyrtiko
Fermentation container:
92 % stainless steel, 8 % second use French oak
Maceration technique:
Skin cold soaking for 12 hours at 10 °C prior to fermentation
Malolactic fermentation:
no
Fining agent:
Bentonite & cold stabilization. No animal products or allergens have been used.
Length of aging before bottling:
Matured for 15 months with its own lees. 7 months battonage and another 8 months on lees.
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.03
Acidity:
6.64 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Residual sugar:
2.38 g/L
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Wine Production

Skin cold soaking for 12 hours at 10°C prior to fermentation in 92% stainless steel, 8% 2nd use French oak, which discretely complements and softens the impressive acidity. The wine is matured for 15 months with its own lees. 7 months battonage and another 8 months sur lie. It is a wine that has the structure and aromatic concentration to evolve for several years in the bottle.

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About the Vineyard

100% Assyrtiko from very old ungrafted vines with a self-root system that is over three centuries old and a particularly low yield per hectare (320-380 kg). Known as “Thalassina”, this plot is a very old piece of land located in the highest spot of Megalohori, which steadily expresses the most typical characteristics of Santorini’s Assyrtiko with impressive intensity and, at the same time, finesse.