There are around 20 wineries presently operating on Santorini. That gives you many wonderful options if you intend to spend your entire holiday wine-tasting! You can visit subterranean wine cellars (some of them hundreds of years old) or futuristic wineries dug into the island’s famous volcanic rock, or sprawling vineyards with breathtaking vistas of the open sea. You can taste wines paired with delicious local foods, or meet winemakers young and old who are maintaining local grapes or experimenting with new wines. You can sample the best vintages of Assyrtiko, the predominant variety in Santorini, or the special character of Nychteri and the Vinsanto, which is so sweet it is often served with ice and lemon.
On Santorini, where wine has been produced for three millennia, grapes are grown (uniquely to the island) in vine “baskets” on the earth, The island produces some of the world’s most famous wines and there’s nothing more exciting than visiting the very places where, in some cases, generations of winemakers have been cultivating their grapes. Here we select five must-see wineries that guarantee a rewarding experience.
Boutari Winery Santorini
Named as one of the ‘ten architectural wonders of the wine world’, this whitewashed, dome-shaped winery’s design looks like something between traditional Cycladic and space age. It hosts tastings of its awarded wines, educational tours of its grounds and even cultural/art programmes for children. Try their PDO Kallisti Reserve, which is the first bottled dry white local wine to be aged in barrels.
Website: https://www.boutariwinerysantorini.gr/
Estate Argyros
A multi-awarded (with countless gold medals and trophies) and cutting-edge winery that is the largest private owner of vineyards in Santorini and covers more than 3000 m2, In 2021 Estate Argyros was listed as one of the 100 top wineries of the world by the Wines & Spirits magazine (for the seventh time). Look out for the PDO Santorini Vareli, the Aidani and the 20-year-old Vinsanto, as well as the signature Vinsanto-infused chocolate treat that accompanies it.
Website: https://estateargyros.com/
Venetsanos Winery
The first Santorini winery to export the island’s wine abroad, and with wines that have received numerous awards, Venetsanos offers tastings in a beautiful building with interesting historical artefacts related to winemaking. It also has stunning views of the Caldera and is a popular venue for weddings and other parties. Try the Nychteri and the Mandilaria. Due to its wonderful vistas, it gets very busy, so be sure to make a reservation as far in advance as possible.
Website: https://venetsanoswinery.com/
Gavalas Winery
This rustic winery doesn’t have a restaurant or dizzyingly beautiful views but here you can taste rare and delicious varieties carefully preserved by the family such as the PDO Santorini Natural Ferment and Katsano. Focused on limited production bottlings, the Gavalas family offers a rare treat to visitors, especially as the winery’s stone building was once a canava winery designed according to the traditional architecture of the ancient Thira, and one can see the well-maintained original cellars, grape stomping rooms and old entrances.
Website: https://www.gavalaswines.gr/
Domaine Sigalas (Oia)
Innovative and progressive Domaine Sigalas has won numerous awards. Here you can pair wines like the Mavrotragano, Kavalieros and Nychteri with tasty and creative dishes served at the winery’s scenic restaurant. They also offer tours of the winery and vineyards and “tutored tastings”.
Website: https://sigalas-wine.com/
Read also:
Sipping and Soaking: Chillax at Santorini’s Best Beach Bars
Beyond the Crowds: Discovering Santorini’s Secret Side
Savoring Santorini: Indulging in the Flavors of the Cyclades
