Santorini PDO includes Santorini and Thirasia. Summers are hot and dry, but morning caldera mists bring moisture during drought. Strong winds have led growers to train vines in baskets or low bush-vine forms, on soils of basalt, ash, sand, pumice and andesite. Assyrtiko is tarter here than elsewhere. Nykteri is a dry-wine indication that requires at least 13.5% alcohol and three months in oak. Santorini Vinsanto comes from overripe, sun-dehydrated grapes and undergoes at least 24 months of ageing with exposure to oxygen. It has dried-fruit, honey, caramel, coffee, nut and spice notes, balanced by high acidity.
Continue through the region
Elsewhere in Aegean Islands
- LimnosNo producers listed yetLimnos is hilly, with Muscat vineyards concentrated in sheltered central and southern areas. Its PDO includes dry white and red wines, alongside medium-sweet white and sweet red styles.
- Malvasia ParosNo producers listed yetMalvasia Paros is a sweet, barrel-aged wine from sun-dried Monemvassia and Assyrtiko. It must age in oak for at least 24 months before release.
- Moschatos LimnouNo producers listed yetMoschatos Limnou is a sweet wine made entirely from Muscat of Alexandria, with floral, citrus and ripe-fruit character.
- Moschatos RodouNo producers listed yetMoschatos Rodou comes from scattered Muscat White and Muscat di Trani vineyards in several districts of Rhodes.
- ParosNo producers listed yetSummer sea breezes moderate heat on Paros and favour freshness in the wine. Malvasia Paros is a sweet, barrel-aged wine made from sun-dried Monemvassia and Assyrtiko.
- RhodesNo producers listed yetRhodes's main vineyards lie in the central-western part of the island. Athiri grows at mid-to-high altitudes, while Amorgiano or Mandilaria is planted lower down; Rhodes also makes fresh, ripe-fruited sparkling wines.
- Samos2 producersPDO Samos lies mainly in the island's north. It is devoted to sweet wines made entirely from White Muscat, using sun-dried grapes or by fortifying the wine with grape spirit.
Producers in Santorini
Producer profiles
- Artemis Karamolegos WineryA Santorini winery with family roots in 1952, a modern chapter from 2003 and skin-contact Assyrtiko Mystirio.
- Domaine SigalasDomaine Sigalas is a Santorini producer in Baxedes, Oia, making Assyrtiko wines from volcanic ground where own-rooted vines grow in kouloura baskets.