Reviving ancient vineyards on Crete’s mountainous slopes, Iliana Malihin has become one of the most talked about young winemakers in Greece thanks to her spellbinding Vidianos.

 

While completing a postgraduate degree in oenology and working at Douloufakis –one of Crete’s top domaines –Iliana saw huge potential in Rethymno’s historically overlooked heritage vines and established her own winery on Mount Vouvala in 2019 at the age of 26. These steep schist terraces are home to rare ungrafted, pre-phylloxera Vidiano, as well as other indigenous varieties, Liatiko and Thrapsathiri. 

 

Starting with an original group of five, Iliana now oversees more than thirty local growers across 10ha who work organically and to her exact specifications. At her newly converted cellar in Melambes, Iliana draws on techniques such as skin contact, extended lees ageing, and elevage using different vessel sto craft distinct expressions of Vidiano that crackle with energy and tension

For more information on Iliana Malihin, please contact sales@keelingandrew.co.uk