A Foody’s Guide to the Best Wines of Santorini

Santorini isn’t just famous for its sunsets and whitewashed villages — it’s also home to some of the most distinctive wines in the world. Santorini Greece is a renowned wine region, celebrated for its ancient vineyards and unique winemaking and vine culture traditions. The island’s rich history and volcanic terroir have shaped Santorini’s unique wine heritage, making its wines truly one-of-a-kind. For a food lover, exploring the island’s bottles is as rewarding as tasting its seafood and meze. The island’s wine culture is recognized globally, with Santorini wine standing out for its exceptional quality and character. Here’s a guide to the styles you should seek out, how they taste, and what foods bring to life.

“The best way to discover Santorini’s celebrated wines and volcanic terroir is by joining a Santorini Wine Tasting Tour, where each sip tells a story shaped by the island’s sun, soil, and sea.”

What Makes Santorini Wines Unique

The island’s wines owe their character to a rare combination of elements:

• Volcanic soil: Pumice, ash, and lava rock create a mineral, almost salty backbone.
• Extreme climate: Strong winds, harsh winds, and very little rain impact vineyard practices and produce concentrated grapes.
• Basket-shaped vines: Grapes grow inside hand-woven “kouloura” baskets, where the vine is trained into a basket shape. This unique way vines grow close to the ground protects them from strong winds, harsh sunlight, and arid conditions.

Santorini’s vineyards are shaped by the ancient volcanic eruption, resulting in unique volcanic soils that define the region’s terroir.

Grape growers have adapted to these challenging conditions, cultivating only a small portion of land and tending to each vineyard with exceptional care.

The importance of Assyrtiko grapes and traditional vine training methods, such as weaving vines into baskets, is central to the identity and quality of Santorini’s vineyards.

This trio lends Santorini wines their distinctive acidity, minerality, and unmistakable character.

The Main Styles to Taste

Dry Assyrtiko

The island’s flagship white, Assyrtiko, is a native white grape that is crisp, bone-dry, and intensely refreshing. Assyrtiko grapes are sometimes fermented in oak barrels using the traditional Santorini barrel method, which adds complexity and depth to the wine. Expect flavours of lemon, lime, green apple, and a mouthwatering salinity — almost like drinking the sea breeze itself.

• Food pairing: Raw oysters, grilled octopus, or a tomato-and-caper Greek salad.

Assyrtiko Blends

When Assyrtiko is softened with Aidani or Athiri, the result is rounder and more aromatic. These blends often feature notes of peach, melon, and delicate floral scents.

• Food pairing: Fish, Mezze, spreads,  tzatziki, fava, or shrimp saganaki.

These blends are a testament to the creativity of Santorini’s producers and the diversity of the island’s wine production.

Nykteri

A fuller-bodied style traditionally harvested at night, Nykteri often shows more weight and sometimes a hint of oak. It is traditionally fermented in oak barrels, sometimes using the Santorini barrel method, which is a hallmark of the island’s unique wine production techniques. Its layers of spice and texture make it versatile at the table.

• Food pairing: Roasted chicken with lemon potatoes, pork souvlaki, or herb-roasted lamb.

Vinsanto

Santorini’s dessert wine is made from sun-dried grapes, delivering luscious flavours of figs, dates, caramel, and orange peel. While often confused with the Italian Vin Santo, Santorini’s Vinsanto is distinct, with its own unique production methods and history. This sweet Vinsanto is a highly valued dessert wine, renowned for its rich, complex character and often featuring enticing notes of vanilla in its aroma and flavor profile. Despite its sweetness, vibrant acidity keeps it balanced.

• Food pairing: Baklava, loukoumades drizzled with honey, or aged graviera cheese.

Red Varieties

Though produced in smaller quantities, reds from Mavrotragano and Mandilaria are worth the effort. These exceptional red wines are crafted by some of Santorini’s oldest wineries and most dedicated producers, whose expertise and perseverance have shaped the island’s winemaking legacy. Mavrotragano brings dark cherry and spice, while Mandilaria is more rustic and tannic.

• Food pairing: Grilled lamb chops, beef stifado, or tomato-rich stews.

Visitors who have tasted these reds often praise their unique character and depth.

“To experience these exceptional varieties firsthand, explore a Santorini Wine Tasting Tour and sample everything from crisp Assyrtiko whites to rich Mavrotragano reds.”

Wine and Food Pairing: Perfect Matches for Santorini Wines

Santorini wines are a treasure trove for wine lovers seeking the ultimate wine and food pairing adventure. Thanks to the island’s volcanic soils, sun-drenched vineyards, and centuries-old winemaking traditions, each bottle bursts with high acidity, intense aromas, and a distinct sense of place. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply curious about the best wines of Santorini, discovering the right pairing can elevate both your meal and your glass.

The celebrated Assyrtiko grape, grown in the island’s mineral-rich soils, produces white wines that are crisp, vibrant, and endlessly versatile at the table. Their zesty acidity and saline edge make them a dream match for the flavors of the Greek island—think grilled octopus, fresh sea urchin, or a classic Santorini tomato fritter. The Assyrtiko grape’s bone-dry style also shines alongside Mediterranean favorites like spanakopita or lemony roast chicken, cutting through richness and enhancing every bite.

For those who gravitate toward red varieties, Santorini’s Mavrotragano and Mandilaria offer a bold, aromatic experience. These red wines, often matured in French oak barrels, bring out the best in hearty dishes—imagine them paired with slow-cooked lamb, wild boar stew, or a platter of aged graviera cheese. The interplay of firm tannins, volcanic minerality, and savory flavors creates a wine pairing that lingers long after the last sip.

Sweet wine lovers will be enchanted by Santorini’s legendary Vinsanto, crafted from sun-dried white grapes and aged in oak barrels for years. This sweet wine, with its notes of dried fruits, caramel, and spice, is a natural companion to desserts like baklava, honeyed loukoumades, or even a simple plate of dried figs and nuts. For a truly indulgent wine tasting, try Vinsanto with a selection of local cheeses—its vibrant acidity and luscious sweetness are a match made in heaven.

Visiting Santorini wineries such as Venetsanos Winery, Anhydrous Winery, or Karamolengos Winery offers wine lovers the chance to dive deeper into the island’s wine culture. Many Santorini wineries host guided wine and food pairing experiences, where you can savor high quality wines alongside local delicacies, all while learning about the unique winemaking techniques that define Santorini’s vineyards. From the basket-shaped vines to the influence of volcanic ash and the careful use of French oak barrels, every detail contributes to the island’s reputation for producing some of the best wines in Greece.

Whether you’re enjoying a glass of Assyrtiko by the Aegean Sea or exploring the hidden gems of Santorini’s red varieties, the art of wine pairing is an essential part of the island’s culinary magic. With their vibrant flavors, high acidity, and unmistakable character, Santorini wines are the perfect partner for the bold, sun-kissed cuisine of this Greek island paradise. For any wine enthusiast, a journey through Santorini’s wineries is a feast for the senses—and a memory to savor long after you’ve left the island.

How to Drink Like a Local

• By the sea: A chilled glass of Assyrtiko alongside grilled sardines is a perfect island pairing.
• At sunset: Sip a richer Nykteri as the sky turns gold and purple.
• With dessert: End a meal with a small glass of Vinsanto and honey-soaked pastries.
• On the hunt for reds: Seek out Mavrotragano or Mandilaria if you want to taste the island’s lesser-known side.
• Take a tour: Join a winery tour or visit a vineyard to experience Santorini’s wine culture up close, learn about the winemaking process, and enjoy tastings with scenic views.
• Dine like a local: Enjoy Santorini wines at a local restaurant or one of the island’s many restaurants for an authentic food and wine pairing experience.

Final Sip

Santorini’s wines are not just drinks — they’re an expression of volcanic soil, relentless winds, and centuries-old traditions shaped by Santorini’s vineyards and the dedicated grape growers who have cultivated them over generations. For food lovers, they’re a natural companion to the island’s cuisine. Whether it’s the bracing acidity of Assyrtiko with seafood or the honeyed sweetness of Vinsanto with dessert, every glass offers a taste of Santorini’s essence. To explore this heritage up close, join a Santorini Wine Tasting Tour and let the island’s volcanic terroir unfold in every sip.