Ekho Assyrtiko Santorini 2023: volcanic purity and marine tension in liquid form

Wine Overview

Ekho Assyrtiko Santorini 2023 is a white wine that stands out for its saline energy, aromatic precision, and mineral depth, authentically embodying the extreme identity of Santorini. Made from 100% Assyrtiko grapes, this wine originates from vineyards exposed to the winds of the Aegean Sea and rooted in poor yet character-rich volcanic soils. The 13% alcohol integrates perfectly with a tense and vertical structure, offering both drinkability and strong personality.

Its expression is direct and uncompromising, reflecting a production philosophy focused on purity and terroir transparency. It is a wine that clearly speaks of sea, light, and rock, with a mineral backbone dominating the entire sensory profile.

Contains sulfites.

Wine History

Ekho Assyrtiko Santorini was created within the Ekho Wines project with the goal of enhancing one of Greece’s most iconic grape varieties in its native terroir. Santorini is indeed the cradle of Assyrtiko, a grape capable of maintaining high acidity even under extreme climatic conditions.

This wine is the result of a careful selection of historic vineyards, often cultivated for generations by local growers. The decision to work with 100% Assyrtiko highlights the intention to express the most authentic and identity-driven character of the island.

Within the Ekho range, this wine represents one of the purest expressions of the project: a return to essentials, where grape and terroir take center stage.

It is a wine deeply rooted in Santorini’s millenary tradition, reinterpreted in a contemporary way without losing its soul.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vineyard philosophy behind Ekho Assyrtiko Santorini 2023 is based on extreme, manual viticulture adapted to the island’s unique conditions. The vines grow in volcanic soils, poor in organic matter but rich in minerals, giving the wine its signature salinity.

Vines are often trained using the traditional “kouloura” basket system, which protects grapes from strong winds and intense sunlight. The climate is harsh, with low rainfall, high solar exposure, and constant sea winds.

These conditions lead to very low yields but high aromatic concentration and remarkable natural acidity.

The goal is not to alter nature, but to accompany it, allowing each vineyard to express itself freely.

The result is high-quality fruit capable of translating terroir in a direct and authentic way.

Winemaking Approach and Grapes

In the cellar, Ekho Assyrtiko Santorini 2023 follows a philosophy of maximum expressive purity with minimal intervention. Vinification typically takes place in stainless steel to preserve freshness and aromatic integrity, avoiding any masking influence.

Fermentations are often spontaneous or low-intervention, maintaining a direct link between grape and origin. Aging may occur on fine lees to enhance texture and complexity without compromising tension.

The wine is made from 100% Assyrtiko, a flagship Greek grape known for its natural acidity and its ability to express minerality and salinity even in warm climates.

The cellar does not construct the wine but accompanies it, allowing its intrinsic characteristics to emerge.

This results in a precise, vertical, and highly terroir-driven wine.

Tasting Notes

Color: bright lemon yellow with luminous reflections, indicating freshness and youth.

Nose: intense and mineral, with notes of citrus, flint, Mediterranean herbs, and saline hints typical of volcanic soils.

Palate: tense and vibrant, marked by high acidity, pronounced salinity, and a long, persistent, saline finish.

Food Pairings

Ekho Assyrtiko Santorini 2023 is highly versatile but expresses its best with seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. Perfect with raw fish, oysters, and shellfish, it also pairs well with grilled or baked fish dishes.

Its acidity makes it ideal for fried foods, while its mineral character enhances iodine-rich flavors. It also works well with fresh cheeses and herb-based vegetarian dishes.

It is a wine that complements food without overpowering it, maintaining balance and precision.

Technical Sheet

• Appellation: PDO Santorini
• Grape variety: 100% Assyrtiko
• Vintage: 2023
• Alcohol: 13%
• Type: Dry white wine
• Aging: Stainless steel (possible fine lees aging)
• Soil: Volcanic
• Serving temperature: 8–10°C
• Contains sulfites

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Ekho Wines: the authentic echo of ancestral vineyards of the Aegean Sea

The history of Ekho Wines

Ekho Wines was born as a visionary project aimed at giving voice back to ancient and forgotten Greek vineyards, transforming agricultural memory into a contemporary wine expression. Founded in 2020 by winemaker Lefteris Anagnostou, the project takes shape across the Aegean islands, particularly Lemnos and Naxos, territories rich in millennia-old winemaking traditions. The core idea is both simple and powerful: to recover historic vineyard plots and restore dignity to indigenous grape varieties at risk of disappearing.

From the very beginning, Ekho Wines stands out for its clear and consistent vision, connecting small local growers with a modern and international narrative of Greek wine. The name “Ekho”, meaning echo, perfectly reflects the mission: to amplify and carry forward the authentic voice of the land. Each wine becomes a living testimony, a liquid story rooted in tradition while looking ahead.

The winery is not driven by global market trends, but by the desire to enhance identity and uniqueness. Production is limited and deeply linked to each vintage, without standardization. This approach makes Ekho Wines a reference for those seeking authenticity and expressive depth.

Ekho Wines is not just a producer, but a guardian of Mediterranean agricultural memory, capable of transforming the past into a contemporary resource of exceptional value.

Vineyard philosophy: heroic viticulture and indigenous varieties

The vineyard philosophy of Ekho Wines is based on heroic, artisanal, and deeply territorial viticulture, where every action is guided by respect for nature. The grapes come exclusively from indigenous Greek varieties, often rare, cultivated on small plots across the Aegean islands.

Many of these vineyards are old, often over 50 years, and trained using traditional methods such as bush vines, perfectly adapted to extreme climatic conditions. In several cases, these are ungrafted vines, offering greater authenticity and aromatic depth.

The soils, often volcanic or sandy, combined with constant sea winds, create unique growing conditions. Yields are naturally low, but the quality and concentration of the grapes are outstanding.

The goal is not to alter nature, but to accompany it, allowing each vineyard to express its own identity freely. This balance between human and environment is the true strength of the Ekho project.

The vineyard becomes a place of memory and expression, where each vine tells a story of resilience and adaptation.

Winemaking approach: minimal intervention, maximum expression

In the cellar, Ekho Wines follows a philosophy consistent with its vineyard practices: minimal intervention and maximum respect for the raw material. Fermentations occur spontaneously, thanks to indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grape skins, avoiding any form of aromatic standardization.

This approach allows for authentic wines, where each vintage expresses itself in a unique and unrepeatable way. Vinification is handled with great care, using different vessels such as stainless steel, used wood, or alternative materials depending on the grape variety and desired style.

Aging is always carefully managed to preserve freshness, tension, and territorial identity, avoiding excessive extraction or invasive techniques. These are not constructed wines, but wines that tell a true story.

The cellar becomes a place of sensitive interpretation, where every decision aims to respect the natural balance of the grapes. This results in limited, detail-oriented, and highly distinctive productions.

The outcome is a range of wines that are vibrant, dynamic, and deeply connected to their origin.

Identity and style: the authentic expression of the Mediterranean

The style of Ekho Wines is immediately recognizable for its energy, salinity, and aromatic precision, perfectly reflecting the Aegean terroir. The wines show a strong mineral imprint, combined with notes of Mediterranean herbs, ripe fruit, and saline hints reminiscent of the sea.

Limited production and the focus on lesser-known indigenous varieties contribute to a distinctive identity, far from international standardization. Each bottle is a pure expression of its origin.

These wines are also highly versatile at the table, thanks to their balance and freshness.

Ekho Wines represents a new vision of Greek wine, capable of combining tradition and modernity in an authentic way.

In an increasingly standardized market, this winery stands out as a unique voice: intense, territorial, and deeply Mediterranean.