Santorini is one of the islands in the Cyclades group, located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. Viticulture and the varieties grown there are as ancient as their land. A volcanic cataclysm around 1600 BC almost destroyed the island, but gave it a unique porous volcanic soil that retains water and allows the grapes to withstand high summer temperatures. The vineyards remain unaffected by the global phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and most are over the age of 50. Paris Sigalas is the largest producer on the island, and many call it the largest producer of white wines in all of Greece. He is also an acclaimed master of the Assyrtiko variety and wine. Although the winery is equipped with the latest production technologies, the philosophy here is that the wine is produced in the vineyard and not in the winery.