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The vineyard in the sea
Santorini winemaking goes back thousands of years and is a very important cultural heritage turned into big export.
If you have read our Food page, you know that Santorini has a unique combination of fertile volcanic soil and favorable microclimate that provides produce of uniquely flavorful character.
Local grape varieties are no exception and they do make some exquisite wines.
The international appreciation and demand for the Santorini wines have in modern time led to the establishment of many wineries on this small island.
You honestly cannot avoid seeing the typical Santorini grapevine fields anytime you venture outside the villages.
Santorini truly is a vineyard in the sea!
The island's top wineries have become tourist hot spots and are indeed well worth a visit, even if you are not a wine lover.
Santorini wine - as old and 'organic' as it gets
The history of grape cultivation and winemaking here is believed to go back as far as 3,500 years. At least that is as far as archaeological evidence has taken historians.
Thanks to their protected location, Santorini vineyards haven't had any major infestation, such as the common vine louse, and no grape cross-breeding or plantation of other species have been found necessary.
As a result, the grape varieties used today have been naturally rooted for many centuries without need for intervention.
Now, there's organic for you!
In addition, much of the winemaking here is still performed using traditional techniques, which, in line with the Greek attitude of keeping it simple, encourages a minimalistic intervention of the natural process.
When you take a sip of a Santorini wine, you know that it tastes the way nature intended it. Very few vineyards in the world can say the same thing.
Grape varieties
The Santorini vineyards benefit from the sunny and dry climate, as well as from the fertile volcanic ash soil.
These unique conditions result in some very high quality grapes.
You may notice that the grapevines are quite different in their appearance than regular vines.
In order to protect the delicate grapes from being damaged by sand carried by the sometimes strong winds, the wineries use an ancient pruning technique knownas 'kouloura'. The young vines are trained into a shielding basket that sits very close to the ground.
Today, some 40 varieties of grapes are grown on about 4,000 acres of land.
By far the most important grape variety is Assyrtiko. It stands for nearly 80% of the island's total grape production. While the best quality Assyrtiko may be found on Santorini, it is grown throughout Greece and may be the best white grape of Greece.
The high quality of grapes comes at the cost of a low yield. A typical yield per 1,000 sq.m. is only 300-400 kilos.
Total yearly grape production is about 4,500 tons, which results in about 3,500 tons of wine.
Wineries
Winemaking is truly an important part of the Santorini way of life.
If you want to take a big sip of Santorini culture (and of some yummy wine!), go visit one of the island's many wineries.
It may well be one of the highlights of your visit.
It has even become popular to use some wineries as wedding locations due to their romantic atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
Here now is a listing of the Santorini wineries, arranged in alphabetical order. For more information click on the links to their websites.
Antoniou Winery
The Antoniou winery is a large five-level winery in a very privileged location with stunning volcano views.
It also houses a small wine museum and large wine cellars that you can visit.
This is also one of the more popular Santorini wedding locations.
Location: Megalochori
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani
Wines: Dry white, sweet white, sweet red
Open:By appointment.
Phone: 228 602-3557
Argyros Canava
A very old and charming winery from 1861 that also houses an art gallery.
Location: Exo Gonia
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko
Wines: Dry white, sweet white
Open: Call
Phone: 228 603-2774
Boutari Winery
The Boutari winery was established as late as in 1990 and is the second largest producer on the island. The winery is is very welcoming to tourists and can be visited all year round.
Location: Megalochori
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mavrotragano, Mavrathiro, Mantilaria, Voudomato
Wines: Dry white, sweet white, sweet red
Open: Monday-Sunday 10.00-18.00 (summer), Monday-Friday 10.00-16.00 (winter)
Website: www.boutari-wines.com
Canava Roussos Winery
The Canava Roussos Winery dates back to 1836 and is one of the oldest on the island. This winery is known for its traditional approach to winemaking and for its beautiful location. Stop here for some winetasting and enjoy the local traditional dishes served here at the romantic veranda with amazing views.
Location: Mesa Gonia
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mantilaria, Mavrotragano, Flaskia, Potamisi
Wines: dry white, dry red, dry rosé, sweet and semi-sweet white, sweet red
Open: Everyday from 11.00-19.00 (end of May - end of September)
Website: www.canavaroussos.gr
Estate Argyros Winery
This large winery dates back to 1903 and produces a number of wines from several grape varieties. Recognized for having exceptional vineyards with some very old natural vines, the Estate Argyros produces some of the best Santorini wines. They are particularly well-known for their Vinsanto, which is aged for 14 years.
Location: Mesa Gonia
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mavrotragano, Mavrathiro, Mantilaria, Voudomato
Wines: Dry white, sweet white
Open: Monday-Saturday 8.00-20.00
Website: www.estate-argyros.com
Gaia Winery
Another young winery established in 1994 in the facilities of an old tomato factory.
Location: Agia Paraskevi, near Monolithos
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko
Wines: Dry white, vinegar
Open: Every day in summer, call to schedule visit
Website: www.gaia-wines.gr
Gavalas Winery
The Gavalas family has been making wine here since the end of the 19th century. An interesting winery and a good visit if you're interested in the historical aspects of winemaking as it holds a small museum.
This is also a winery that is very welcoming to visitors and if you come during harvest you may even be invited to take part in the crushing of the grapes!
Location: Megalochori
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mantilaria, Voudomato, Mavrotragano, Katsano and Gaidouria
Wines: Dry white, dry red, sweet white
Open: From 10.00-20.00 (April 15 - end of October)
Website: www.gavalaswines.gr
Koutsoyannopoulos Winery - Volcan Wines
Another old winery (going back four generations of Koutsoyannopolous to 1870) that houses a museum displaying the history of local winemaking. Every Friday food and wine is served together with live music!
Location: Outside Vothonas, on the road to Kamari
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mantilaria
Wines: white, red, rosé, sweet
Open: From 10.00-20.00 (early April - end of October)
Website: www.volcanwines.gr
Santo Wines
Santo Wines, the largest winery on the island, is popular with the tourist crowd, and no wonder. It is exquisitely located at the cliffs edge with a killer view of the caldera. Every year about 80,000 visitors enjoy the combination of some excellent winetasting and breathtaking views.
The interesting architecture with several levels is not only pleasing to the eye but was actually designed so as to allow the transport of grape must and wines using only gravity.
Location:Right above Athinios port, between Fira and Pirgos, just at the Pirgos crossroad.
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mantilaria, Mayrotragano, Voudomato, plus experimental varieties
Wines: dry white, dry red, dry rosé, sweet white, sweet red
Open: Everyday from 10.00-20.00 (March - November)
Website: www.santowines.gr
Sigalas Winery
Sigalas Winery is another popular tourist attraction with a beautiful location. Here you will be served not only wine but also traditional food. Try and time your visit to catch the sunset. The sunset view is spectacular from here.
Location:Baxedes, close to Oia.
Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mantilaria, Mavrotragano
Wines: dry white, dry red, sweet white, semi-sweet red
Open: Monday to Friday 10.00-21.00, Saturday, Sunday 11.00-21.00 (June to September) Monday to Friday 10.00-19.00, Saturday, Sunday 11.00-19.00 (April,May & October).
Website: www.domaine-sigalas.com
Learn more about Greek and Santorini wine
If you are eager to learn more about Santorini wines, as well as other Greek wines, here is an excellent overview of Greek winemaking
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