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Winery · Fira, Egeu Meridional
Vinícola Santo Wines
Winery of the Santorini producers' cooperative, on the edge of the caldera near Pyrgos, with tasting terraces facing the volcano and tours of the production.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Vinícola Santo Wines
Santo Wines is the winery of the union of Santorini cooperatives, which brings together most of the island's small producers. It sits on the caldera edge, between Fira and Pyrgos, near the descent to the port of Athinios, with open terraces facing the volcano. The building was constructed in tiers on the slope so that the must flows by gravity during production.
The visit shows how wine is made in Santorini: the vines grow low to the ground, trained into basket shapes (kouloura) to protect against the wind and retain nighttime moisture, in soil of ash and pumice where the phylloxera plague never arrived. The main grape is assyrtiko, white and acidic; Nykteri is a white harvested at night, and Vinsanto is the sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes, aged for years in barrels.
There are guided visits with tastings, a film about the island's wine history, a shop selling wines and local products such as the tiny Santorini tomato and the yellow fava bean, and a restaurant with a view. The winery operates year-round and is very popular late in the afternoon, when the terrace becomes a sunset viewpoint. Book in advance in high season.
Other wineries open to visitors are in the same area, such as Venetsanos, also on the caldera edge, and those in Megalochori and Pyrgos.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours, including the visit, the tasting and the terrace.
Best time
Late afternoon is best for tasting with the sunset; reserve in high season. In the morning and early afternoon the terrace is quieter. Open year-round; confirm winter hours.
How to get there
On the road between Fira and Pyrgos, at the turn-off for the port of Athinios, about 4 km from Fira. KTEL buses to Athinios and Pyrgos pass nearby; there is ample parking for cars. A taxi from Fira takes about 10 minutes.
Tip
If you are driving, moderate your tasting or save it for a day without a car. Vinsanto is the wine most associated with the island: try at least a glass and compare it with the dry assyrtiko.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Vinícola Santo Wines
Do you need to book a visit to Santo Wines?
In high season, yes, especially for late afternoon. Outside that period you can usually arrive and enter; check the website to confirm.
Which wines to try in Santorini?
The dry Assyrtiko—white and acidic; Nykteri, harvested at night; and Vinsanto, a sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes and barrel-aged.
Why are Santorini's vines rolled up?
It's the kouloura system: the plant is braided into a basket shape close to the ground to protect it from strong winds and retain nighttime moisture, since it hardly rains in summer.