Estate Argyros is a wine producer located on the island of Santorini in Greece. The vineyards are planted on volcanic soils and cover 26 hectares (65 acres) of land on the island. Native grape varieties like Assyrtico, Athiri, and Aidani are planted here, making wines in a range of styles, from dry whites to sweet vinsanto.
The estate was originally founded in 1903 by Georgios Argyros, who started making local wines using traditional Santorinian methods. When the estate passed to Matthew Argyros in 1950, he expanded the vineyards to 6 hectares (15 acres), and then in 1974, when his son Yiannis Argyros took over, the vineyard holdings increased again to 26 hectares (65 acres). Argyros' vineyards are situated at altitudes ranging from 35-150m (115-500ft) above sea level, on the classic, dark volcanic soils of the island. The vines are cultivated in the traditional basket style, called "kouloura" or "Gyristo", which shelters the grapes from Santorini's strong winds.
The Assyrtiko is the estate's flagship wine and dates back to the founding of the estate in 1903. Cuvee Monsignori is Estate Argyros’ vision of what Santorini Assyrtiko can actually be. Excessively old Assyrtiko vineyards, at least two hundred years old, giving minute yields. Fermented, partially uninoculated, in stainless steel, at cool temperatures and aged for ten months in stainless steel tanks on fine lees. A wine of breed, extract, and length, that needs about four years in bottle to unfold and can be confidently kept for more than a decade after vintage.