Kontozisis Sun White 2017

Sun White is made from 100% Malagousia grown on the foothills of Mount Agrafa, across estate vineyards in Kanalia and Dafnospilia in the Karditsa prefecture of Thessaly. The 11-hectare estate is farmed at low yields of around 28 hectoliters per hectare, with all grapes hand-harvested and only free-run juice used — no press at any stage.

Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts in a concrete egg. The wine then rests on its lees in the concrete egg for 3-4 months with periodic stirring, followed by 3 more months in stainless steel before being bottled unfiltered with minimal sulfite addition (around 35 mg/L total). No fining, no commercial yeasts, no oenological additives.

In the glass, Sun White is pale lemon-green. The nose leads with yellow flowers, citrus blossom, white peach, and a touch of fresh sage. The palate is round and slightly oily in texture, with lemon citrus and melon fruit and a clean, refreshing finish. The lees aging adds breadth without masking the grape's aromatic character.

Malagousia was nearly extinct by the 1970s and has since been revived as one of Greece's most expressive white varieties. Kontozisis, certified organic since 1991, is among the earliest producers to work with it in Thessaly rather than the more common northern Macedonia sites.