Vintage Report 2024

Winemaking Year 2024 – Toplou, Sitia

(Vineyard of the Holy Monastery of Toplou)

Summary

2024 was the year of severe water pressure: the third consecutive year of low rainfall, reduced soil moisture, and intense water stress. Production dropped sharply, but vineyard management helped maintain quality at a high level.

1) Weather footprint of the year

The year was marked by low rainfall and a very dry summer, resulting in limited water availability during growth and ripening. Winds were consistently present, adding evapotranspiration load and increasing stress on vines in light/stony soils.

2) Impact on the vineyard

Reduced soil moisture led to restricted berry growth and lower yields. Diseases were not a major issue: there were minimal cases of downy mildew and powdery mildew, handled promptly.

3) Quantitative picture

Total production decreased by about 70% compared to the previous year, mainly due to smaller berry size and reduced yields per vineyard.

4) Quality picture / Wine profile 2024

Despite the drop in volume, the year delivered fruit that allowed us to keep high quality. The profile points to concentration, structure, and seriousness—especially where the vine endured the stress without “breaking”.

5) Technical Appendix (climatology data – monitoplou)

Source: Annual summary of the monitoplou meteorological station (Annual Climatological Summary 2024).

Rainfall

Annual total (2024): 214.0 mm

Rainfall Apr–Sep (2024): 6.4 mm
(Apr 0.0, May 6.2, Jun 0.2, Jul 0.0, Aug 0.0, Sep 0.0)

Maximum daily rainfall: 34.6 mm (December, 06/12)

Wind

Prevailing wind direction (year): WNW

Average summer wind speed (AVG): Jun 20.7, Jul 26.2, Aug 23.1 km/h

Maximum gust (HI): 93.3 km/h (January, 16/01)

Temperatures

Absolute maximum temperature: 40.9°C (June, 13/06)

Absolute minimum temperature: 5.6°C (January, 30/01)

Days with ≥32°C: 19

Note
These figures refer to our station/vineyard (monitoplou) and describe the microclimate of our site.