Winery and vineyards are located within the classified zone of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Santorini, especially in the villages Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori, Emporio and Akrotiri. We cultivate a total of 10 hectares of vineyards, at an altitude from 70 up to 350 meters, with mainly South or Southeast orientation and with the white varieties of Assyrtiko, Aidani and the red variety Mavrotragano. In all of our vineyards we apply organic farming. We make up our production from grapes of cooperating winegrowers in order to produce more dry white wines, a red dry, a sweet traditional Vinsanto wine, from sun dried white grapes and a sweet red Voudomato wine from also sundried red grapes of the Voudomato variety. Based on the contractual agriculture, we have already concluded agreements with growers who also cultivate their vineyards organically and are controlled accordance with the European control system of organic farming. We produce two organic wines from the varieties Aidani (100% Aidani – PGI Cyclades) and Assyrtiko (100% Assyrtiko – PDO Santorini).

The scenic location of the winery and the positioning of the wine tasting room to the west, gives the opportunity to all visitors to enjoy the colors of the setting sun as it descends on the vineyard. Live the total wine experience at Domaine Sigalas in Santorini taking a Wine Tasting or having a Menu Degustation at Domaine Sigalas

The vineyard of Santorini: The terroir Manual work: From pruning to harvesting, everything is done by hand. The vintners have invented a distinct way of pruning, called “kouloura”. The vines stay close to the ground and form a spiral, a natural basket that hosts the grapes and protects them from the strong wind. In areas of notable slope, the vine growers have built stone terraces, known as “pezoules” in order to facilitate the cultivation and to maximize the absorbance of rainwater. The vineyard of Santorini, one of the most ancient in the world with a 3,500-year history, consists of a World Heritage site. Volcanic soil: The volcanic eruption formed a soil of unique texture which includes lava, volcanic ash and light stone. That special composition gives birth to grapes of distinctive flavor-profile, hosts low-yield vines and works as a natural shield from diseases. The vineyard in Santorini is self-rooted as it was never affected by the phylloxera. Dry farming: The vines are not irrigated artificially and the rainfall is rare. Therefore the plants’ watering is dependent on the natural humidity and the sea mist; absorbed by the volcanic soil, they offer the necessary hydration. Indigenous varieties: Assyrtiko thrives in Santorini, the birthplace of the famous Greek variety. As a single varietal or blended with the aromatic Athiri and the delicate Aidani, it offers the Santorini Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) wines. White, dry wines with high acidity, intense minerality and a remarkable ageing potential.

The Gavalas family has been exclusively engaged in the vinification of the indigenous varieties grown in Santorini, since the end of the 19th century. Up until the 1920¢s the family produced wines from grapes grown in their privately-owned vineyards and vinted in their winery (canava) in Megalochori. This production was mainly distributed to customers throughout the island of Santorini as well as being exported to the city of Alexandria, in Egypt. Later on in the 1930¢s they started shipping the wine to Athens and Piraeus. Gavalas winery, in Megalochori, Santorini, is a family tradition. The family has been engaged in the vinification of the varieties grown in Santorini since the end of the 19th century. We hope that you will also become a devotee of the wines produced in our winery.

Having its roots in the volcanic soil of Santorini and tradition that goes back to 1952, the winery of Artemis Karamolegos is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving wineries of Santorini. All its wines have been distinguished in several important International Wine Competitions. The winery has the most modern facilities for wine production, spaces for wine testing and a shop for wines and selected local products. Artemis Karamolegos had the innovative idea to combine the experience of a tour at the winery with lunch at the restaurant Aroma Avlis, the menu. In its spacious new yard offering view to the vineyard and the beaches of Monolithos and Avis, as well as in the dinning halls, you can taste the delicious Mediterranean and local dishes made with fresh, carefully selected local products, accompanied with wines from the winery. The history of the winery goes back to the 1952, where the grandfather, Artemis, was cultivating the vineyards in order to produce wine for his own family and later on, in order to sell it in the island and in the rest of Greece. “Since then I remember myself following my grandfather and taking part in all of the activities of wine production -planting, pruning and harvesting. Overall, I used to like working on the land. We used to live in Kamary back then both during winter and summer. We used to produce white, red and Vinsanto wines all together. Actually the Vinsanto that we bottled now was my Grandfather’s”, says Artemis. Artemis Karamolegos, the grandson who succeeded his grandfather and his father at the winery of Exo Gonia, is an energetic young man full of passion for his job. Since 2004 and until today, he managed to lead, miraculously, the family business many steps ahead very fast. In 2004, a turn to a modern and of a high quality production winery took place, with the production of a bottled, labeled and of a good quality wine named “SANTORINI”.

  We provide you with the opportunity to explore our farm and facilities . walking though our olive garden , wine yard and variety of aromatic plants , we end up facing a small 9th century church that hopefully will leave you outspeached gazing its glory. Stepping at the frond step of this monument you can let your self and spirit dive into history and tradition. Next milestone at our tour is an almost 100 years old traditional Cycladic establishment housing out winery which is the ideal place to get familiar with the procedure of wine making using modern methods combined with the knowledge of years past as long as the machinery and equipment necessary for the production of a tasteful and flourish wine .