Santo Wines Winery

Santo Wines

The largest wine cooperative on the island, with tasting terraces on the caldera cliff facing the volcanic islands. Enjoy Assyrtiko white and Vinsanto sweet wine at sunset.

Santorini is one of Greece's most distinctive wine regions. Volcanic soil, an almost rainless climate, and strong winds have led growers to train vines into low basket shapes (kouloura) to protect the grapes. The local Assyrtiko grape produces dry white wines with strong minerality and high acidity, and is considered one of Greece's finest white wines. Vinsanto, a sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes, has a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Founded in 1947, Santo Wines is a cooperative of island growers with over 1,200 members, and it is the largest winery on the island. It sits near the village of Pyrgos, on the edge of the caldera cliff. Its biggest draw is the multi-level open-air tasting terrace facing the caldera, with views of the new volcanic island of Nea Kameni and the towns of Fira and Oia across the water. The view at sunset is considered one of the best alternatives to Oia. Terrace seats for sunset must be booked in advance on the official website. Tasting menus range from 4 to 12 wines (about 20 to 50 euros) and can be paired with local cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fava bean purée. You can also join a tour of about 40 minutes to learn about volcanic viticulture. The shop sells the winery's wines, Vinsanto, and local products. Other wineries worth visiting on the island include Venetsanos, which is also on the cliff but smaller and more refined; Sigalas, near Oia, a renowned producer of Assyrtiko; Gaia; Domaine Argyros; and Koutsoyannopoulos, which has a wine museum. Getting there: take a bus from Fira toward Akrotiri or Perissa and get off at the Santo Wines stop (about 10 minutes), or drive or take a taxi. Do not drive an ATV after tasting. The nearby hilltop village of Pyrgos is the best-preserved traditional medieval village on the island. From the castle area, you can enjoy a 360° view of the entire island, and it is less crowded, so it is worth a detour.

Santo Wines Winery

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