Santorini Wines & Wineries...
This Santorini Wines Page is from the Simply Santorini website – an insiders guide to getting the most from Thira - the honeymoon island. Santorini hotels, resorts, romantic locations, beaches, history, sunsets & much more…
Three Santorini wines are in the category of "name of origin of top quality" and belong to the group of European Union wines "quality wines produced in determined region". They are Nykteri, Assyrtiko and Vinsanto. Nykteri takes it name from the Greek word meaning 'night work'. Traditionally the grapes were picked before dawn so that the grapes would be cool before the hot sun could burst them.
Vinsanto is a traditional wine of Santorini. Sun dried grapes are laid on the ground in the sun usually for a period of around 15 days and then undergo a long, slow fermentation. This produces a golden honey coloured sweet wine.
Greek Wine Makers website list the main grape varieties used in Santorini wine making as: Asyrtiko This variety is often described as Greece's best white wine grape. The Santorini whites in which it plays a dominant role are among the most elegant in Greece. Aidani Aspro This variety is found on Santorini. Far lower in acidity and sugar than the Asyrtiko, with which it is usually blended; it contributes to its wines somewhat exotic floral aromas. It plays a secondary, but important role in Santorini, where it is featured in dry and semi-dry blends with Asyrtico and Athíri within the AO zone of Thirassia and in Vinsanto. Athiri Athiri is planted and vinified widely, not only on the Aegean Islands, but in places on the surrounding mainland as far north as Halkidikí and as far west as Lakonía in Peloponessos. Although impossible to prove, there is a general consensus among historians and writers this is the same grape known as Theriaki in Ancient times. Mandilaria The most widely planted red variety in the Aegean, Mandilaria leans towards the tannic (mildly astringent, unless aged) and is generally–but not always–low in alcohol. On Santorini, Paris Sigalas blends Mandilaria with the riper Mavrotragano to produce a rich and smoky wine competitive with New World Zinfandel and Syrah for its boldness and concentration. Mavrotragano Near extinction not long ago, Mavrotragano is local cultivar on Santorini that is in the midst of revival by some of that Island's most earnest producers. Like Cabernet, its bunches contain small grapes. The variety, because it naturally achieves high sugar levels, was traditionally used in the production of sweet wines.
Antoniou Winery One such wonderful Santorini winery and Santorini Weddings location is Antoniou Winery at Megalochori. The winery is built on five levels and has wine cellars and a small museum to explore along with wine tasting rooms. The location is simply stunning. One of its outstanding wines is simply named 'Santorini Antoniou' and is produced by the wine varieties of Asyrtico, Aidani, Athiri all grown on the hillsides of Karterado, Emporio and Akrotirio on the beautiful Greek island of Santorini. You can arrange to visit Antoniou Winery by telephoning +30 22860 23557. Argyros Estate Winery Dating back over a century and carrying on a family tradition the Argyros Estate winery produces some of the best wine on Santorini and is located at Mesa Gonia. Most of the estates vines are between 50 and 60 years old with some vines believed to be as old as 300 years.
The winery also produces a red wine and several white wines. All can be tasted if you visit the winery. Contact +30 22860 31489 for an appointment.
Boutari wines are perhaps the biggest and most well known wine producers in Greece. On Santorini they have a fabulous winery and visitor centre. You can tour the winery, watch the wine-making process, explore the cellars and vineyards and of course sample the delicious wines.
On Santorini the Boutari Winery produces Selladia, Asyrtiko Boutari, Santorini Boutari, Kallisti and the famous Vinsanto. You can vist Boutari Winery near Megalohori. The winery is open to the public from 10.00am – 7.00pm daily throughout the summer months. Canava Roussos The traditional Canava Roussos winery is found at Episkopi - Mesa Gonia. The Roussos family have been running their winery since 1836. It is one of the oldest canavas (cellars) on Santorini. You are very welcomed to take a tour of the winery and to sample the seven excellent wines that are produced there. You can also enjoy a traditional local meal at the winery Taverna too. The Canava Roussos winery has a 'to die for' outdoor dining area with wonderful sea views. Local mezedes specialities are served like the local cheeses, yellow split pea dish of Fava, tomato croquette balls and fresh salads served with wild capers and sun dried tiny tomatoes. The winery is open to the public everyday from the end of May until the end of September from 11.00am - 7.00pm. Hatzidakis Winery You can visit Hatzidakis Winery by appointment by contacting Ms. Constantina: Tel +30 22860 32552.
The family winery produce several high quality wines and in particular a lovely Vinsanto - which is a sweet wine produced from the Asyrtiko and Aidani grape varieties. Santo Winery You can find Santo Winery at Pyrgos village on the top of the Caldera cliff, with a magnificent view of Santorini volcano and the Aegean Sea. It is the ideal place for wine lovers who have the opportunity to learn about a Santorini vineyard and its winemaking tradition. Santo Winery welcomes more than 80.000 visitors each year from all over the world to sample their excellent wines. Santo Wines also is the venue for some Santorini Weddings. With its wonderful terrace and breathtaking view of the volcano and the Aegean Sea it's an ideal setting for a wedding in Santorini. Santo Wines winery is open from April to the end of November from 10.00am right through until sunset.
Sigalas Winery You can find Sigalas winery at beautiful Oia on Santorini. The Sigalas Estate produce excellent wines of a very high quality. The winery is open to the public from April to October, seven days a week from 11.00 am -7.00 pm. A guided tour of the winery is completed with wine tasting served with local traditional snacks (mezedes) of local cheese, double baked barley rusks dipped in olive oil and fresh tomatoes.
Volcan Wines Yiorgos Koutsoyiannopoulos proudly carries on the family tradition of producing Santorini wines at Volcan Winery. He is the 4th generation of winemakers dating back to 1880 when his great grandfather began to cultivate grapes and to produce excellent wines.
Yiorgos extends a welcoming invitation to visit his Winery and Museum to taste his excellent wines while expanding your knowledge about Santorini wine making. Daily opening hours from the beginning of April until the end of October are from 10.00am to 8.00pm. You can find Koutsogiannopoulos Winery and the Volcan wine museum on the main road at Vothona that leads to Kamari beach.
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