The Samian vineyard covers the coastline and climbs up to 900 meters above sea level, on the mountain slopes “Ampelos” and “Kerketeas”. By combining the insular and mountainous features, this vineyard is probably unique in the world. The cultivation of the aromatic variety “white Moschato Samos” on dry stone terraces modulates a natural landscape of special beauty and great environmental value. The vineyard of approximately 14.000 stremmas is developed by the vineyard families of the border island, while the United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperation of Samos produces one of the most famous wines in the world, Moschato Samos.
This vineyard was selected by Konstantinos Lazarakis, world renowned Master of Wine, to cover his new book «THE WINES OF GREECE». Gifted with all the features of the Samian geophysical relief and the local tradition, the impressive vineyard illustrated on the book is located in the mountainous village Manolates, in the southern and central part of Samos. A beautiful composition of stone-built dry stone terraces with moschato vines that embrace the slope like green waves up to the ridge, with an extra painting touch of the so called “kalyvi”, the vine grower’s retreat…
The vine and many generations’ hard work modulate the current Samos man-made environment, profoundly linked and incorporated to the rich nature, as imprinted on the island’s entire landscape.
The writer of the book, Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, was born and raised in Piraeus. Despite his studies on Mechanical Engineering by the National Metsovio University and on Jazz music by “Eoliki School of Piraeus”, he was seduced for life by his love for the wine and is classified among the most important connoisseurs internationally of wine’s special features. In 2002, at the age of just 32 years old (!), he was awarded with the title Master of Wine – MW, top title in the wine sector. It is worth noting that he is the first Greek who was awarded with such a distinction and also the first individual in the Southeastern Europe. He was also awarded with many prizes that recognize his excellent wine studies and knowledge but also his substantial contribution to wine education throughout the world. In 2004, he established in Greece the Wine & Spirits Professional Center (W.S.P.C.), an educational annex of WSET in England and in 2005 he wrote his first «The Wines of Greece», suggested for the Andre Simon Memorial Award 2006. His incredible progress and major distinctions reveal his deep love – and knowledge – for Greek wine.
The new and refreshed in terms of themes/notions book “THE WINES OF GREECE” is released in English language, in cooperation with the English Publishing House Infinite Ideas and will be available for sale on internet on January 22. 2018. The book will also be available on site WSPC (70, L.Amfitheas str., Palaio Faliro, tel. 210 9882540) bearing the significant signature of Konstantinos Lazarakis.
This excellent book is expected to travel once more round the globe, inform the wine lovers about Greek wines’ high quality and exceptional potential. In this trip, the Samian vineyard’s picture on the cover is the first thing the reader notices…
This book seals the long wine tradition of the border island, 3.000 years of history, but also the constant efforts of the United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperation of Samos to preserve the Samian vineyard and reveal it as an element of Intangible National Cultural Heritage.
The selection of the Samian vineyard’s picture by the Greek MW Konstantinos Lazarakis is a great honor for Samos’ vine growers, the Cooperation and the land.
Best wishes to “The Wines of Greece”!