Paros is one of those Greek islands that surprises you. Most people arrive for the beaches, the charming marble streets of Lefkes, the whitewashed fishing village of Naoussa and the lively buzz of Parikia. But spend a little more time here and you quickly discover that Paros has one of the most interesting wine identities in the entire Cyclades. This is an island with a genuine winemaking heritage rooted in ancient indigenous grape varieties, shaped by the salt winds and dry volcanic soil of the Aegean, and carried forward today by passionate families who have devoted their lives to producing wines that are truly of this place.
Unlike many Greek islands where wine culture has faded into the background, Paros is actively thriving. You will find a century old family winery in Naoussa that is still run by the same blood that founded it, a young and ambitious estate near Isterni making internationally recognised wines from native varieties, and a collection of exceptional wine bars where every glass tells a story. Whether you are a dedicated wine lover or simply someone who enjoys discovering new flavours in beautiful surroundings, Paros will reward you in every possible way. These are the five best places to experience wine on this remarkable island.
Table of Contents
1. Moraitis Winery
Overall Information
Moraitis Winery is without question the most important wine destination on Paros, and one of the most historically significant family wineries anywhere in the Cyclades. Founded in 1910 by Manolis Moraitis, this remarkable estate has now been producing wine for well over a century and is currently in the hands of the fourth generation of the founding family. The brothers Theodoros and Savvas Moraitis lead the winery today with a combination of formal oenology training and genuine passion for the land their great grandfather first cultivated. The estate manages a privately owned vineyard of over 100 acres, cultivating indigenous Parian varieties including Monemvasia and Mandilaria alongside Assyrtiko and Malvasia. The old winery was renovated and since 2001 has been open to visitors as a working wine museum, preserving much of the original equipment used by Manolis Moraitis himself. Every bottle produced here carries the weight of that history and the warmth of a family that has never forgotten where it came from.
Location
Moraitis Winery is located on the road between Naoussa and Marpissa, at the quiet eastern edge of Naoussa town, right beside the beach of Aghioi Anargyroi in the northern part of Paros. The full address is Epar. Od. Naoussas to Marpissas, Naousa, 844 01, Paros, Greece. The setting is beautiful and peaceful. Vineyards stretch out on stone terraces framed by the Aegean Sea in the background, giving the whole visit a sense of place that feels absolutely right for the wines you are about to taste.
How to Get There
Parikia, the main port and capital of Paros, is approximately 11 kilometres from Naoussa, and the winery sits at the edge of Naoussa itself. The most practical way to get there is by hire car, which you can rent from Parikia for as little as 30 euros per day. Alternatively, there are regular buses running between Parikia harbour and Naoussa throughout the day during the summer season, and from the Naoussa bus stop the winery is a pleasant 15 minute walk. If you are already staying in Naoussa, depending on where your accommodation is, you may well be able to walk directly to the winery. From the historic marina of Naoussa, the walk takes roughly 15 minutes along a straightforward road. Taxis are available from Parikia but the cost is higher, around 30 to 40 euros each way, so it is most economical if you are travelling as a group.
Services and Experiences
Moraitis Winery is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 7:00pm during the peak season. The winery experience begins with a guided tour of the estate, taking you through the vineyards, the historic cellars and the original winemaking equipment preserved as part of the working museum. The tour covers the full journey from harvest to bottling, with detailed explanations of traditional Parian winemaking methods and how they are combined today with modern technology. After the tour, guests settle in for a tasting of the estate’s wines, with packages starting from just 12 euros for three wines accompanied by home baked bread and local Parian cheese. A more extensive package of five wines with a larger spread of local nibbles is available at 40 euros. After the formal tasting, you can order a glass of your favourite by the glass at very reasonable prices, starting from 5.50 euros for a white. The food menu at Moraitis is also worth noting, offering everything from cheese platters and cold cuts to grilled sea bass and slow cooked pork shank. Advance booking is strongly recommended during the busy summer months.
2. Ktima Roussos (Asteras Winery)
Overall Information
Ktima Roussos, also known as Asteras Winery, is one of the most exciting newer wine producers in the Cyclades and a place that every serious wine lover visiting Paros should make time for. Founded in 2016 by Konstantinos Roussos, a man who grew up watching grapevines being pruned and who comes from a long line of Parian viticulturists, the winery produced its first bottled wines in 2018 under the guidance of acclaimed enologist Ilias Roussakis. In just a handful of years, Ktima Roussos has grown into a thriving 18 hectare estate cultivating seven labels across PDO and PGI wine designations. Some of these labels have already won international awards, a remarkable achievement for such a young operation. The grape varieties grown here include Monemvasia, Mandilaria, Assyrtiko, Malagouzia and both White and Black Aidani, all beautifully suited to the island’s terroir. This is a winery with a bright future and a very compelling present.
Location
Ktima Roussos is located in the area of Asteras, near the village of Isterni, in the eastern part of Paros. The full address is Isterni, Asteras, Paros, Cyclades, 84400, Greece. Isterni is a quiet inland village in the rural interior of the island, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the kind of unhurried Cycladic scenery that reminds you why you came to Greece in the first place. The tasting area overlooks the estate’s sun drenched vineyards and offers panoramic views that are genuinely breathtaking on a clear afternoon.
How to Get There
The easiest way to reach Ktima Roussos is by hire car or scooter from either Parikia or Naoussa. Isterni is in the interior of the island and is not well served by public transport, so having your own wheels is the most practical option. From Parikia, the drive takes roughly 20 minutes along the central road heading towards the eastern villages. From Naoussa, the drive is a similar distance through the hillside countryside. The winery is signposted from the main road near Isterni, and the team can provide detailed directions when you make your booking. Several tour operators in Paros also include Ktima Roussos as part of guided wine excursions, which is a wonderful option if you prefer to leave the driving to someone else.
Services and Experiences
Ktima Roussos is open for tastings and tours daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm throughout the year. Guests are welcomed into the winery’s beautifully designed tasting area, which now includes a newly opened outdoor space with panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards. The standard tasting experience covers five of the estate’s signature wines, including the Paros white dry wine made from 100 percent Monemvasia, the Mandilaria and Mavro Aidoni red, the rosé, the Malagouzia and Assyrtiko white blend and the flagship Paros dry red. Each wine is paired with authentic Parian delicacies including local artisan cheeses, handmade organic breadsticks and flavourful dips. A guided tour of the production and bottling facilities is included, with explanations of the revival of traditional Parian winemaking practices and the unique characteristics of each grape variety grown on the estate. Tastings are priced from 22 euros per person. Group sizes of up to 50 are welcome, and tours are available in both English and Greek. Pre booking is required as the winery does not accept walk in payments on arrival.
3. Moraitis Vinotheque, Naoussa
Overall Information
For those who want the Moraitis experience in a more relaxed and sociable evening setting, the Moraitis Vinotheque in the heart of Naoussa is the perfect answer. This is the satellite wine bar of the famous Moraitis Winery, occupying a chic and beautifully located space closer into the village than the main estate. It is stylish without being pretentious, welcoming without being noisy, and the wine list draws from the full Moraitis portfolio alongside a carefully chosen selection of other exceptional Greek labels. This is a place where you can enjoy the very best of what Paros grows in a setting that feels completely right for an island evening, whether you are kicking off the night before dinner or settling in for a long and leisurely tasting with a good friend and a view of the Cycladic twilight.
Location
The Moraitis Vinotheque is located in Naoussa village, Paros, 84401, Greece, at the edge of the old town. Naoussa is one of the most beautiful and vibrant villages in the Cyclades, built around a picturesque harbour with Venetian castle ruins, bougainvillea spilling over whitewashed walls and one of the most charming evening atmospheres you will find anywhere in Greece. The Vinotheque sits perfectly within this setting, close enough to the main action to feel lively but peaceful enough to actually savour your wine.
How to Get There
Naoussa is easily reached from Parikia by bus, taxi or hire car, and the journey takes around 20 to 25 minutes. Once in Naoussa, the Vinotheque is within easy walking distance of the harbour and the main village square. If you are already staying in or near Naoussa, it is a short and pleasant stroll through the winding streets of the village. Locals will know it well and will happily point you in the right direction.
Services and Experiences
The Moraitis Vinotheque opens daily at 6:30pm and stays open until late, making it a brilliant choice for a pre dinner glass or a relaxed evening of wine and conversation. The focus here is entirely on the wines of Paros and Greece, with a particular emphasis on the Moraitis estate portfolio including their acclaimed Assyrtiko, the Monemvasia based whites, the Mandilaria reds and the exceptional aged Malvasia sweet wine, which regularly draws the kind of attention that puts a winery firmly on the map. The team is knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about guiding you through the selection based on your tastes and what you have been enjoying on the island. Light food pairings are available, making this an ideal spot to settle into for the early part of the evening before moving on to dinner. The elegant Cycladic design of the space adds to the pleasure of the whole experience.
4. Koukos Wine Bar, Naoussa
Overall Information
Koukos is one of the most beloved wine bars in Naoussa and one of the finest in the entire Cyclades. Perched above Naoussa’s historic harbour on the bridge side of town, it occupies a location that is genuinely special, and the wine list that comes with it is equally impressive. What makes Koukos stand out from the crowd is its commitment to allowing guests to genuinely explore. The bar offers wines by the glass in both standard 150ml pours and smaller 75ml pours, meaning you can build your own informal tasting experience without committing to a full glass of every wine you want to try. For curious wine lovers who want to taste their way across Greek varietals without a structured tour, this flexible approach is an absolute gift.
Location
Koukos Wine Bar is located in Naoussa, Paros, positioned just across the bridge from the main heart of the village above the historic harbour. It is one of the most recognisable spots in the whole of Naoussa, and the view from this location across the water and the old Venetian fortifications is as good as anything the island has to offer at sunset. The address is Naoussa, 844 01, Paros, Greece.
How to Get There
Naoussa is accessible from Parikia by regular bus, taxi or hire car. The bus journey takes around 20 minutes and buses run frequently throughout the summer season. Once in Naoussa, Koukos is easy to find. Simply head towards the harbour and look for the bridge that crosses over into the older part of the village. Koukos sits right there on the far side. Anyone in Naoussa will know exactly where it is and will point you in the right direction within seconds.
Services and Experiences
Koukos is open every evening during the summer season and offers one of the most thoughtfully curated wine lists in Paros, with a strong focus on Greek varietals from the Cyclades, Crete, the Peloponnese and beyond. The option to order 75ml tasting pours means you can work your way through multiple wines in a single sitting without overindulging, which is a genuinely clever and generous approach to wine service. The outdoor seating above the harbour makes this one of the best places on the island to watch the sun go down over the water with a glass of crisp Parian white in hand. The atmosphere is relaxed and convivial, the service is attentive and the prices are very fair. It is the sort of place where you arrive for one glass and end up staying for three, which in Naoussa at sunset is really no hardship at all.
5. Levantis Garden Restaurant, Parikia
Overall Information
Levantis is one of the most celebrated restaurants on Paros, and while it is first and foremost a dining destination rather than a wine bar, its wine list is exceptional enough to earn it a firm place on any wine lover’s itinerary. Set within a gorgeous garden courtyard in the old town of Parikia, Levantis offers a dining experience that is romantic, unhurried and genuinely distinguished. The cuisine here is a creative fusion of Greek, Mediterranean and Asian influences, cooked with first class local ingredients and presented with real care and artistry. The wine list is thoughtfully compiled and celebrates island wines with genuine enthusiasm, making it one of the best places on Paros to experience how well the island’s whites, rosés and reds can pair with excellent food.
Location
Levantis Garden Restaurant is located in the old town of Parikia, the capital and main port of Paros, 844 00, Greece. The restaurant is tucked away in the labyrinthine backstreets of the old town, in a beautifully preserved courtyard surrounded by traditional Cycladic architecture. The setting feels private and peaceful despite being just a short walk from the busy waterfront, which makes it one of the most atmospheric dining spots on the entire island.
How to Get There
Parikia is the arrival point for most visitors to Paros, as the main ferry port is located here. From the port, the old town is within easy walking distance. Simply head into the narrow streets of Parikia’s old town and follow the signs or ask a local for Levantis. It is well known among residents and regular visitors, and the garden courtyard entrance is charming and easy to recognise once you are close. Allow yourself a little time to wander through the beautiful old town on your way there, as the surrounding streets are full of lovely little details worth discovering.
Services and Experiences
Levantis opens every evening for dinner and is a particularly wonderful choice for a long and special meal combined with serious wine exploration. The menu changes to reflect the seasons and what is freshest from local producers and the sea, and the kitchen brings genuine creativity to every dish without losing sight of the island ingredients that make the food feel rooted in Paros. The wine list champions Greek labels with a depth and seriousness that sets Levantis apart from most dining options on the island. Parian whites, including wines made from Monemvasia and Assyrtiko, are particularly well represented, and the team is knowledgeable enough to guide you towards pairings that make every course more enjoyable. The garden setting adds an extraordinary quality to the whole experience, especially on warm summer evenings when the lights in the courtyard create an atmosphere that is genuinely unforgettable. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Tips for Wine Lovers Visiting Paros
Paros is one of the most complete wine destinations in the Cyclades, offering everything from historic family wineries to exciting newer estates and beautifully run wine bars. Here are a few things worth knowing before you visit.
- The best time to visit for wine experiences is between May and October, with August through to October being harvest season and the most rewarding time to be in the vineyards.
- Book Moraitis Winery and Ktima Roussos well in advance during the summer months, as both fill up quickly and the guided tours have limited capacity.
- Look out for Monemvasia, the most distinctive indigenous white grape of Paros, on every menu and wine list you encounter. It is the variety that truly belongs to this island.
- Naoussa is the wine capital of Paros. If you are staying there, you can walk to Moraitis Winery, pop into the Vinotheque in the evening and finish the night at Koukos without ever needing a car.
- Ask your hotel concierge about guided wine and herb tours into the Lefkes countryside. These are some of the most memorable and immersive experiences available on the island, combining walking, local food and wine tasting in a single afternoon.
- Look out for the Liasto, Paros’s traditional sun dried sweet wine. It is made from grapes left to dry in the sun and is a genuinely special thing to taste if you can find it.
Paros is an island that gives you as much as you are willing to look for. Its wine culture is proud, personal and deeply connected to the land. Take the time to explore it properly, and you will leave Paros with memories that go far beyond the beaches and the sunsets. You will leave with the taste of the island on your tongue.