Region: Thessaly (Karditsa / Mount Agrafa foothills), Greece
Grapes: Roditis (or Roditis / Assyrtiko blend)
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Dried apricot, preserved lemon peel, chamomile, dried oregano, white peach, and crushed limestone, with driving natural acidity, light rustic tea-like skin tannins, and a bone-dry, saline-mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, grilled octopus, spanakopita, roasted eggplant with tahini, grilled halloumi, or fried kalamari
The Producer
Kontozisis Organic Vineyards is an estate located at the foot of Mount Agrafa in Karditsa, Thessaly. Founded by Andreas Kontozisis and winemaking partner Aphrodite Tousimaki, the winery was among the first in the region to achieve organic certification in the 1990s. Dedicated entirely to indigenous Greek grape varieties like Roditis, Limniona, and Assyrtiko, they farm without irrigation or synthetic inputs in clay-limestone soils. In the cellar, Kontozisis practices strict zero-zero winemaking: ambient-yeast fermentations, zero additions, no temperature manipulation, no fining, no filtration, and zero added sulfur.
The Wine
"Eyes of the Rabbit" is Kontozisis’s skin-contact orange expression showcasing native Greek white grapes. Sourced from organically farmed high-altitude plots, the hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous wild-yeast fermentation on their skins in stainless steel and neutral vats, extracting a delicate amber hue and structural phenolic grip. Aged on fine lees without any sulfur additions, the 2024 vintage delivers a savory blend of dried orchard fruit, mountain herbs, and lip-smacking volcanic-limestone acidity.
Region: Thessaly (Karditsa / Mount Agrafa foothills), Greece
Grapes: Roditis (or Roditis / Assyrtiko blend)
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Dried apricot, preserved lemon peel, chamomile, dried oregano, white peach, and crushed limestone, with driving natural acidity, light rustic tea-like skin tannins, and a bone-dry, saline-mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, grilled octopus, spanakopita, roasted eggplant with tahini, grilled halloumi, or fried kalamari
The Producer
Kontozisis Organic Vineyards is an estate located at the foot of Mount Agrafa in Karditsa, Thessaly. Founded by Andreas Kontozisis and winemaking partner Aphrodite Tousimaki, the winery was among the first in the region to achieve organic certification in the 1990s. Dedicated entirely to indigenous Greek grape varieties like Roditis, Limniona, and Assyrtiko, they farm without irrigation or synthetic inputs in clay-limestone soils. In the cellar, Kontozisis practices strict zero-zero winemaking: ambient-yeast fermentations, zero additions, no temperature manipulation, no fining, no filtration, and zero added sulfur.
The Wine
"Eyes of the Rabbit" is Kontozisis’s skin-contact orange expression showcasing native Greek white grapes. Sourced from organically farmed high-altitude plots, the hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous wild-yeast fermentation on their skins in stainless steel and neutral vats, extracting a delicate amber hue and structural phenolic grip. Aged on fine lees without any sulfur additions, the 2024 vintage delivers a savory blend of dried orchard fruit, mountain herbs, and lip-smacking volcanic-limestone acidity.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.