SANTORINI, THE ANCIENT LAND

Gaia Santorini Winery
Exo Gonia-84700 Santorini, Greece
T: 2286034186
E: info@gaiawines.gr

A WINERY THAT

CONTINUES THE

TRADITION OF

CREATING AND

EVOLVING

Nestled on the eastern coast of Santorini, between the serene hamlets of Kamari and Monolithos, our winery stands  where the sea breeze whispers through volcanic stone. Housed in a striking industrial building that once served as a tomato paste factory in the early 20th century, the space echoes the island’s rich agricultural history. For decades, it produced a fragrant purée from the island’s famed cherry tomatoes, until its closure in the 1970s.

With great respect and admiration for this legacy, GAIA Wines lovingly restored the building—transforming it into a modern winery while preserving its historical soul. This revival not only breathes new life into a landmark of Santorini’s industrial heritage, but also reflects our deep commitment to honoring the island’s traditions through innovative winemaking.

At the heart of our production lies PDO Santorini, a region defined by its dramatic volcanic soils, fierce winds, and ancient viticultural methods. Here, the indigenous Assyrtiko grape finds its purest expression. Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure optimal conditions for crafting exceptional wines that reflect the authenticity and minerality that PDO Santorini is renowned for.

In a quiet, hidden corner of the winery, we have also created a dedicated space for a rare and meticulous endeavor: the slow oxidation of Assyrtiko vinegar. Aged for five years in oak barrels, this sweet, aromatic vinegar is produced in extremely limited quantities—just 1,500 liters each year—and embodies the same care and character that define our wines.

From volcanic soil to bottle, every element of our winery tells a story—of place, passion, and the timeless spirit of Santorini.

A VINEYARD OF A

UNIQUE WINE

PRODUCTION AND

ECOSYSTEM

Santorini is far more than a wine-growing region—it is a living, breathing ecosystem where nature’s extremes converge to shape wines of striking identity. This ancient caldera, born of fire and sea, is home to one of the world’s most singular viticultural landscapes—recognized and protected under PDO Santorini.

Here, vines grow in soils forged from volcanic ash and pumice—porous, mineral-rich, and extraordinarily well-drained. Rainfall is scarce, sunlight is intense, and the summer winds are relentless. Yet it is precisely these conditions, along with the gentle sea mist that rolls in at night, that make Santorini an exceptional place for vine cultivation.

For centuries, vine-growers on the island have responded to these challenges with quiet brilliance. Their answer is the “kouloura”—a traditional basket-shaped training system that curls the vine close to the ground, protecting its fruit from wind and scorching sun. These vines are ungrafted, rooted in their native soil, and many are decades—if not centuries—old. The yields are low, but the expression is pure, concentrated, and timeless.

At the heart of this volcanic vineyard lies Assyrtiko—Santorini’s flagship white grape, and one of Greece’s most noble varieties. With razor-sharp acidity, intense minerality, and remarkable aging potential, Assyrtiko does not merely reflect its place of origin—it is its place of origin, distilled into wine.

This harmony of natural extremity and human ingenuity has positioned PDO Santorini among the world’s great white wine regions. Every bottle is not just a product of land and vine, but a testament to resilience, tradition, and the wild beauty of the island itself.