Experience the moment and engage with the people you are with, during the famous wine tours in Santorini. Enjoy the stunning environment of Santorini and make the most out of the best wine tours available. Santorini is known as the “jewel” of the Aegean Sea. It is famous worldwide for its breathtaking caldera views, enchanting sunsets, charming minimalist architecture, exquisite gastronomy, and volcano. To truly experience all of this, join the best wine tours in Santorini and explore one of the oldest vineyards in the world. Visit renowned wineries not only for their wines but also for their new sites. You will also get to indulge in wines that are perfectly paired with local delicacies. Discover a unique journey of the senses and find out what living life to the fullest means here in Santorini.
The inhabitants of the small volcanic island of Santorini have always been known throughout Greece for their extensive knowledge of wine. They have been cultivating the island’s volcanic slopes and planting vineyards using kouloures (baskets) or ampelies (vines) for generations. Their wines were exported worldwide, with Santorini, a small island in the Aegean Sea, supplying the markets of Russia, Italy, and even France. As a result, the island was once filled with Canaves and small family-owned wineries. However, many of these Canaves have closed down and disappeared. Nevertheless, Santorini remains a trendy destination for wine enthusiasts and is celebrated for its wine tourism.
Wine tours history and traditions
Santorini was once a thriving place for human civilization until the Minoic volcanic eruption in the second millennium BC wiped out all life on the island. However, the eruption enriched the soil with new volcanic materials and compounds, which helped regenerate the land. Centuries later, the Spartans inhabited the island and brought back the art of winemaking.
Today, Santorini remains a special place in the wine world with a 3,500-year tradition in vineyard cultivation. The Viticulture Co-operative made up of 850 growers, now maintains wine production on the island and tends to its 3,750 vineyards, representing about one-third of Santorini. You can discover more about this ancient winemaking tradition by joining some of the best Santorini wine tours.
What makes the island of Santorini so unique and ideal for wine tours?
Santorini is home to a unique ecological system created by the continuous explosions of the local volcano and its lava. This has burned the rocks, making the land absorbent, porous, and rich in porcelain. The topology of the island uses the steps technique, which preserves the soil for agricultural exploitation and reduces water loss. The peculiar micro-climate of Santorini, with its extreme lack of rain, high temperatures, high night humidity, fresh sea breeze, and volcanic soil, makes it one of the most incredible places to create wines of very high quality, ideal for wine tasting.
Santorini has over 65 indigenous grape varieties, but the three most commonly used for winemaking are the prestigious Assyrtico, Athiri, and Aidani. The locals follow their unique pruning system called the basket (in Greek, koulouri), where they give the vine the shape of a basket, and grapes grow inside the basket, fully protected from the strong winds and the sun. During summer, visitors to the island are amazed by the vibrant colors of the vines that flourish from the island’s black and red volcanic soil, a true homage to life.
Suppose you’re interested in exploring the unique features of this fantastic island. In that case, don’t forget to choose among some of the best Santorini wine tours.
The secret of successful grape cultivation on the island
The island of Santorini has a rich history of winemaking. Despite the destructive impact of the Phylloxera louse on grapevines, the island’s aged vines have survived due to their unique training method. The vines are trained in the shape of a basket, known as Kouloura, which protects the grapes from strong winds and creates a small pocket of humidity. This has helped the vineyards to thrive on an island with scarce rainfall.
Today, wineries on the island still use the same indigenous grape varieties that have been cultivated for over 2000 years. These varieties have adapted perfectly to the unique environmental conditions of the island and have not been affected by the Phylloxera disease due to the lack of clay in the soil. The high quality of the raw materials used in winemaking, combined with modern techniques and years of experience, have made Santorini wines some of the most prestigious in the world.
From the multi-awarded dry whites to the historical and delicious dessert wine Vinsanto, Santorini wines offer a journey through time and space, full of aroma and flavors. A visit to the wineries on Santorini is a truly unique experience that should not be missed.
Special thanks to Golden ibex tours & events for all the information about Santorini wine tours.
