Santorini
Vines woven against the wind
- Soil
- Volcanic ash, pumice and lava ('aspa') — no clay, so phylloxera can't survive.
- Style
- Searingly mineral, saline, high-acid Assyrtiko; also sweet sun-dried Vinsanto.
- Top sites
- The whole caldera island; vines trained low in basket 'kouloura' shapes.
- Vintages
- 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
- Producers
- Hatzidakis
Tip · To survive fierce winds and drought, Santorini's vines are woven into low ground-level baskets ('kouloura'). The volcanic soil makes electric, saline Assyrtiko.
Value pick
Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko · ~$30
The reference Santorini Assyrtiko — saline, citric, laser-bright and mineral; world-class white for a sane price.
Collector pick
Domaine Sigalas '7 Villages' or Argyros 'Cuvée Monsignori' · ~$70 · 2020
Single-parcel or old-vine Assyrtiko showing Santorini's age-worthy, collectible peak.