Santorini
Vines coiled into baskets on a volcano, making the sharpest white in the Mediterranean.
Santorini: the home of Assyrtiko
Most people come to Santorini for the sunsets and stay for the wine. Vines here are trained into low woven baskets to survive the wind, rooted in volcanic ash that gives the white grape Assyrtiko a searing, salty intensity found nowhere else. It is a tourism magnet first, so the wine is the upsell, and a very good one.
The wines
Assyrtiko is bone dry, high in acid and full of citrus, salt and smoke from the volcanic soil. There is also Vinsanto, a sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes, which predates the famous Italian version of the name.
Where to go
The wineries cluster inland, away from the clifftop towns of Fira and Oia, many with terraces looking over the vines to the sea. Several of the oldest estates run polished tastings and are an easy taxi ride from the main towns.
Eat
Island cooking is built for Assyrtiko: grilled octopus, fava bean puree, tomato fritters and fresh seafood. The wine's acidity and salinity make it a natural with everything from the water.
Getting there
Fly direct to Santorini in summer from across Europe, or take the ferry from Athens. The island is small, so taxis or a hire car reach the wineries quickly.
Know the wine before you go.
The app teaches you Assyrtiko in five minutes, then helps you order it with confidence. Learn the grape, then come back and plan the trip.
Santorini wine tours & tastings
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Santorini, quick answers.
What wine is Santorini known for?
Assyrtiko, a bone-dry white of remarkable intensity grown in volcanic soil, plus the sweet sun-dried wine Vinsanto.
Why are Santorini vines shaped like baskets?
The vines are coiled into low woven baskets, called kouloura, to protect the grapes from the fierce island wind and trap precious moisture.
Is Santorini good for a wine trip?
Yes, especially combined with a holiday. The wineries are close to the main towns, the views are extraordinary, and the white wine is world class.
