About the book

Τhere are many regions in the world that claim to be unique. Bordeaux talks about its stunning grands vins, Burgundy about possessing the Holy Grail of Pinot Noir, and the Rhone of its schist soils and staked vines. These sit alongside many other, more recent discoveries, such as the Sierra de Gredos in Spain or the high-elevation vineyards of Cyprus that rise to 1,500 metres. But according to Yiannis Karakasis MW if there is one region on earth whose story exceeds expectations, it is Santorini, home to the oldest continuously farmed vineyards in the world.

Recent vintages have brought great acclaim from wine critics and sommeliers at top Michelin-starred restaurants, who have embraced these utterly distinctive wines with great enthusiasm. As the fan base grows, so does the fame and reputation of the volcanic wines of Santorini, attracting drinkers who want to explore beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Assyrtiko ticks all the boxes: authenticity, freshness and minerality – the fact that producers from other countries worldwide have started planting it is more than just coincidence!

Yiannis has spent years visiting and exploring the island, the producers and its wines and getting under the skin of one of the most fascinating wine terroirs in the world. Mark Andrew MW forewords the book and writes ‘’Like any great wine region, there is much to discover once you scratch beneath the surface, so it helps to have an entertaining and well-informed guide. This book is both. Through his regular visits to Santorini – tough work, but someone’s got to do it –Yiannis has become the authority on the history, grapes, people, places and methods behind the wines, not to mention the bottles we should be buying, drinking or saving for a special occasion. It is this deep understanding that illuminates the pages of The Wines of Santorini and will transport you and your palate to this incredible place. Enjoy the view!’’