Tsantali's Metoxi wines, Mount Athos journey to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California

I have come to the high eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, California to go on a Metoxi wine journey to Mount Athos. Metoxi wines are produced by Tsantali Vineyards and Wineries from grapes grown in Mount Athos Vineyards at Metochi Chromista. Tsantali family has been producing wines since 1890. The story goes that in 1969 when Evangelos Tsantali took refuge from a storm at Domain Chromista he noticed abandoned vineyards. Then later by agreement with the monks the cultivation of these vineyards began. This was the first production of Mount Athos wines outside the monastery community. Some of the spirit of Mount Athos Vineyards is captured in this Tsantali video. It is also important to note that the wines from the Mount Athos Vineyards are produced within the Agioritikos Protected Geographical Indication.

Mount Athos Vineyards © Photo Courtesy of Tsantali Archives

It has been a very special Spaswinefood experience for me to learn about Tsantali's Metoxi wines. The Metoxi wines are monastic wines from the Metoxi Chromista cloister. 

Church overlooking Mount Athos Vineyards © Photo Courtesy of Tsantali Archives

It seems fitting that I bring Tsantali's Metoxi wines from Mount Athos Vineyards to the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California to taste. The beauty of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains at Twin Lakes was the perfect setting in which to sample these wines.

Sawtooth Ridge at Twin Lakes, Bridgeport, California © Spaswinefood

Metoxi Wines
The two Metoxi wines, Tsantali Metoxi Chromista red 2008 and Tsantali Metoxi Chromista white 2010, was my first introduction to wines from Mount Athos. Both of these wines include indigenous grape varieties in the blends. These Greek wines made from indigenous grape varieties were especially inviting to explore.

Tsantali Metoxi wines © Spaswinefood

Tsantali Metoxi Chromista red 2008 and Tsantali Metoxi Chromista white 2010 are amongst the wines produced from grapes grown in Mount Athos Vineyards. The Mount Athos Vineyards grow a number of indigenous grapes. The vineyards grow the following indigenous grapes: white grapes (Athiri, Assyrtiko), rosé grapes (Roditis) and red grapes (Xinomavro, Limnio). Today Tsantali continues to invest in developing Greek varieties, specifically clones of Limnio vines that over 100 years old. In addition, the international varieties grown in Mount Athos Vineyards include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache Rouge.

Metoxi Chromista white 2010: The first wine, Metoxi Chromista white 2010 is a blend of Assyrtiko, Athiri and Sauvignon Blanc. Since I have tasted a range of Assyrtiko and Athiri wines before seeing how it blended with Sauvignon Blanc was a new experience. The Assyrtiko and Athiri contributed to very pleasant aromas. I found the Metoxi Chromista white 2010 to be quite perky.  I would drink this wine solo or have it with food. Overall Metoxi Chromista white 2010 is a very pleasing wine.

Tsantali Metoxi Chromista white 2010 © Spaswinefood

Tsantali Metoxi Chromista white 2010 © Spaswinefood

Metoxi Chromista red 2008: The second wine, a Metoxi Chromista red 2008 is a blend of Limnio and Cabernet Sauvignon. In this case the Metoxi Chromista red 2008 was my first time tasting Limnio. I rather liked the effect that Limnio had on the Cabernet Sauvignon. Metoxi Chromista red 2008 is a very pleasant wine. Metoxi Chromista red 2008 was ready to drink upon opening. After tasting Metoxi Chromista red 2008 with Limnio, as a blend, I want to taste a Limnio alone. It has such a wonderful influence on the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tsantali Metoxi Chromista red 2008 © Spaswinefood

Tsantali Metoxi Chromista red 2008 © Spaswinefood

Both of Tsantali's Metoxi Chromista wines were indeed a special treat. I absolutely loved both of these wines.

It has been so much fun going on a virtual wine journey to Mount Athos. I also enjoyed doing the wine research for this article on Tsantali’s Metoxi wines. Metoxi wines are wines that you will love on first taste. I just know there must be a Greek wine goddess/god calling me to taste more Greek wines or visit a vineyard soon.  Spaswinefood is looking forward to more wine stops along the Greek Wine Trails. I invite you to check out my Spaswinefood travels. 

Sharon

July 2013

Sierra Nevada Mountains, California

© Spaswinefood

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Spaswinefood was provided the samples used in this article. Inquiries about the purchase of these wines in the US can be made at Fantis Imports Inc. (Fantis Foods).