Oenops, Limniona

A silky-smooth Limniona, with cherry and gooseberry layered with hints of acacia, graphite and spice. Fresh and fruity with a delicious spicy character and a fresh finish. 

Producer Note

Oenops was founded in 2015 by talented winemaker Nikos Karatzas, who operating as a négociant, produces a stunning range of distinctive wines from his newly established state-of-the-art winery. He sources indigenous and rare grape varieties grown on exceptional terroir focussing on cool-climate sites and old-vine plots, from carefully selected vineyards in Drama and Macedonia, which have been cultivated by ambitious winegrowers using an organic philosophy. Niko adopts a minimal intervention approach, and vinifies plot by plot using stainless steel, concrete, oak barrels and amphora. His aim is to source great fruit and craft wines that reflect the nuances of the native varieties and the identity from the terroir and as a result, he produces a collection of authentic, elegant and delicious wines. 

Vineyard

The Limniona grapes come from the mountainous areas of Karditsa, in the Thessaly region. The climate is strongly affected by the region’s inland position, exactly in the ‘heart’ of mainland Greece. The higher elevation results in a continental climate with greater seasonal and diurnal temperature variations. The cool-climate vineyards are located at between 600 to 1000 metres in elevation, at night the temperatures drop significantly resulting in high natural acidity and cool climate red-fruit characters. The vines are trained using a variety of methods, which have been tailored to suit the variety, vigour of the vine and the terroir, however most are Double Cordon, to keep yields low and concentrate the flavours in the fruit. The majority of the vineyards are cultivated following organic principles, although they are not certified, and all grapes are hand-harvested in the cool of the night to retain freshness. 

Winemaking

The grapes are picked early, which gives a profile marked by natural acidity and fresh fruit aromas. Fermentation took place with wild yeasts in amphorae and 500-litre French oak barrels. The wine was aged on its fine lees, lasting for 9 to 10 months in a combination of concrete tanks, stainless steel tanks, amphorae and approximately 20% in large French oak barrels of fourth use.

Tasting Note

Enticing aromas of cherry and gooseberry are layered with delicate notes of floral acacia and spice. Silky smooth, with a fresh and fruity palate together with a delicious spicy character and a velvety finish. 

Grape

Limniona 100%