Since vineyards and wine play the first role for many years in Santorini, it is worth spending some of your time in order to visit some, if not all the wineries that run in the island today; or maybe the vineyards that are spread along the slopes and the lowlands of Santorini.

On the breathtaking island of Santorini, the predominant grape is Assyrtiko which produces superb dry and dessert Appellation wines. After the devastating volcanic explosion, circa 1650 BC, the island was covered with volcanic ash, lava and pumice stone. This catastrophe created the foundation for perfect soil conditions which now help produce the very distinctive wines of Santorini ...

Santorini Wines & Their Origins
The vin is cultivated in low basket shaped crowns, close to the ground for protection from the strong winds. Coming off the sea, the nocturnal fog brings needed water to the vines during the hot summer nights and together with the refreshing northerly winds provide excellent growing conditions for the creation of the superb Santorini wines.

The white wines from Santorini are bone-dry with a distinct aroma of citrus combined with hints of smoke and minerals from the volcanic soil.

The dessert wines from Santorini are called “Vinsanto,” a derivative of the name Santorini. Vinsanto can be naturally sweet or fortified and must be barrel-aged for a minimum of two years. It is distinguished by its superb velvety palate with aromas of creme brulee, chocolate and dried apricots.

Some of the most famous wineries of Santorini are:

Boutari Winery of Santorini
Canava Roussos
Hatzidakis Winery
Sigalas Estate
Gavala Winery
Santo Wines
Koutsogiannopoulos Winery
Canava Argyros
Gaia Wines
Antonis Argyros Winery - Art Space