Along with other adapted horticultural species, Santorini’s
vineyards cover a surface of 1400 hectares. The cultivated vines
are stretched from the sea level to the caldera cliffs of 250m
of altitude. The archeological statements show that viticulture
was already present on the island in the 17th century B.C.
(vineyard devastated by the volcanic explosion around 1600).
From 1200 B.C. to today, there has been a continuous cultivation
of vines. Today, more than 50 white and red varieties of grapes
can be found on the island. As for the white ones, Assyrtiko
(covering 80% of the vineyard) Aidani and Athiri are those
participating in the AOC Santorini, dry white wine and in the
AOC Vinsanto, dessert white wine. Red regional wines are also
produced from the varieties Mandilaria and Mavrotragano. The
viticulture on Santorini features a special pruning system of
the vines, with the aim to protect the grapes from harsh climate
conditions. This system results in a very characteristic basket-
shaped vine called “kalathi