Best Wineries: Santo Wines, Santorini, Greece
Santorini, Greece is one of the most photographed places on earth- who hasn’t seen a picture perfect snap of that famous blue dome framed by white stone buildings and the bluest of blue sea as a backdrop? It’s also one of our most requested Greek destinations, and many of our clients are exploring this breathtaking island looking to experience its unique food and wine. Santorini’s assyrtiko grape is considered one of – if not- Greece’s best wines, and the island has several wineries you can visit on a trip here. Dry and almost salty, with a slight mineral finish, it pairs incredibly well with the food of the island, and is a personal favorite – we always bring home (at least) one case after a trip to Santorini!
From small, biodynamic family productions to bigger producers with spectacular tasting rooms, there are plenty of choices- but one of our favorites also comes with one of the best sunset views on the island. Santo winery located in Pyrgos (an easy bus ride from Fira) is one of the islands largest and oldest, a cooperative of growers that started in the late 1940s. They offer a large selection of whites, reds, rosè as well as dessert wines, all of which can be sampled in the various wine tastings they offer. They also have a restaurant that serves geek style “tapas” to accompany the wines or more complex full meals as well.
The wines can be sampled on one of their spectacular terraces with a stunning caldera view, which means booking ahead is a smart idea as it does get very busy for sunset. Instead of fighting the crowds in Oia to see the sun sunk into the sea, sitting and sipping a glass of local wine at Santo is a much more relaxing option. While everyone is flocking to see the same view from a narrow cliffside street, we actually prefer the view from Santos (even if it wasn’t accompanied by wonderful wine and delicious nibbles). They also offer short tours daily which can be booked easily in advance online and have a well stocked shop if you’d like to have any of their wines shipped home.
Santorini is famous for its sunsets and one of our most popular destinations in Greece. Santo Wines is a great stop for our clients looking to sample some of the island’s famous wines while also enjoying a spectacular view.
