Sclavos 'Orgion' Mavrodaphne 2021

On returning from Odessa after the Russian revolution in 1919, the Sclavos family planted its first vines in their native Kefalonia.

Nowadays, the pre-phylloxera vineyards (dry farmed and on their original rootstocks) are assiduously looked after by Evriviadis Sclavos, who farms 8ha of vines spread across four different locations on the Greek Ionian island.

Harnessing biodynamic methods – “a philosophy of life; not a fashion trend” – Evriviadis grows top-tier fruit from local varieties, including Robola, Mavrodaphne, Tsaousi, and Vostilidi, alongside a robust diversity of flora and fauna.

Bottles made for the table – they are particularly good with citrus-spiked seafood and grilled vegetables – these high-wire, mineral-edged wines are emerging as some of Greece’s most sought-after allocations.