Navitas Winery Mountcloud Grenache Rosé 2023

The 16-hectare vineyard is located at 400 metres altitude on the slopes of the iconic Mt Olympus. This area is located at Litochoro, in the Topoliani area of Pieria in Northern Greece and forms part of the PGI Pieria, an appellation established in 2008. The vineyard was previously owned by Maria’s father for over 20 years. The vines are separated into three smaller autonomous parcels, each with an exciting mosaic of different soils and altitudes. The planting density is 3,000 plants per hectare and the vines produce low yields. The microclimate is moderate Mediterranean, and the vines benefit from the sea breeze and the natural shelter from the surrounding mountains. Significant rainfall throughout the year nourishes the vines. The Grenache vines are planted up to 280 metres and are planted with northwest to south-eastern 130-degree orientation on a 30% gradient slope. The soils are sandy clay with a stony subsoil. The vineyard is certified organic, and the vines are trained according to the Double Royat method and are hand-harvested.

The grapes were carefully sorted and cooled to 7°C. A six-hour skin-contact maceration took place at 10°C to impart the delicate pink hue. Only the free-run juice was vinified, fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at 15°C. 15% of the total quantity was fermented with indigenous yeasts using the ‘pied de cuve’ technique: the desired amount of grapes were picked and pressed into vessels at the vineyard, allowing the fermentation to start right there, taking advantage of the population of native yeasts present. The wine spent three months in stainless steel tanks on the fine lees.