Santo Wines

Santorini, Greece

Santo Wines isn't really an estate, per se. It's a far-reaching cooperative, pulling in harvests from 1,200 growers across Santorini – and on an arid volcanic isle such as this, viticulture is no mean feat. Instead of being trained along wires, vines are woven into basket-shaped kouloura close to the earth, sheltering their fragile fruit from gales, grit and sun. Much like the island's stepped vineyard terraces themselves, the winery unfolds over descending levels, with production relying not on modern pumping techniques but on a healthy dose of good old-fashioned gravity. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Santorini caldera, with terraces opening out towards Nea Kameni's brooding lava fields, Santo's Wine Tourism Center is a spectacularly elemental place to enjoy a tour and tasting – particularly if one of the island's show-stealing sunsets is involved. Swish a glass of fresh, saline assyrtiko, muse on a mouthful of sweet, sun-dried vinsanto, and thank the gods for such an improbable oenological miracle.

Key Information

• Opening times: Mon – Sun, 9am-10pm
• Signature wine: Santorini Assyrtiko
• Wines produced: White, red, rosé, sparkling and sweet
• Grape varieties: Assyrtiko, aidani, athiri, mandilaria, mavrotragano
• Tasting options
• Time from airport: 15 mins from Santorini Airport
• Visit Santo Wines 's website

Location

Pyrgos Kallistis , Santorini, 847 00