Vineyards
Domaine Sigalas Multi-award-winning winemaker Paris Sigalas had a mission to restore Santorini’s place in fine winemaking and he succeeded. Grape varietals include native whites (assyrtiko, aidani, athiri, platana), a red (mavrotragano) and traditional blends including nykteri. The dining menu pairs ten wines to local dishes; try dolmades made with the leaves of the same aidani vine that produces the grape for the wine, and a sweet, fresh-cheese pie with strawberry glyko (see Food Glossary). Three chefs produce elegant dishes from home-grown fava, courgettes, tomatoes, spinach, white aubergines and herbs. Tasting (four wines) from £5; dining from £23. Baxes, Oia, 00 30 22 8607 1644, sigalas-wine.com sigalaswinetasting.com
Hatzidakis With his 2017 Santorini assyrtiko winning a gold medal, Haridimos Hatzidakis knows he made the right decision to move his winery into a huge cave, albeit laden with high technology inside. Winner of many other international and national awards, the winery’s grape varietals include assyrtiko, aidani, mandilaria, mavrotragano and voudomato. Try his assyrtikos from different vineyards to appreciate their delicacy and variety, and assyrtiko de Mylos for a taste of wine from grapes grown ‘the old way’.
Tour and tastings by appointment. Pyrgos Kallistis,
00 30 22 8603 2466, hatzidakiswines.gr Venetsanos Built to take advantage of gravity in the wine-making process, it also offers spectacular views. Try the minerally nykteri (made from assyrtiko, aidani and athiri grapes), the summery Anagallis rosé (named after the flower, made from mandilaria, assyrtiko and aidani grapes), and the light-mahogany, sweet vinsanto. Open year-round for tours and tastings.Tasting (five wines) from £13; meze from £7. Caldera Megalochori, 00 30 22 8602 1100, venetsanoswinery.com