Andros is a beautiful island filled with rich green landscapes and a deeply rooted agricultural history. While it might be quieter than other islands, it is home to incredible vineyards and passionate winemakers. If you want to explore local drinks and traditional farming, visiting these top locations is an absolute must. Here is your guide to the top five wineries on the island.
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1. Kourtesis Wine Estate
A: Overall Information Kourtesis Wine Estate represents a fresh and innovative choice for wine lovers visiting the island. The estate is situated beautifully on an amphitheatre layout of tiered levels, and it boasts a fully revived vineyard. You will find that this winery uses organic and biodynamic farming methods to cultivate strictly local Cycladic grape varieties. These include grapes such as Mavrotragano, Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, and Mandilaria. The owners have successfully combined modern elegance with deep tradition. They also have a stunning stone built underground cave winery where they produce all their wines. The distinct microclimate of the island brings sea salt directly to the vines, which ensures the grapes ripen perfectly. This creates a completely unique flavour profile that you will not find anywhere else. The abundant sunshine guarantees healthy growth for the entire vineyard.
B: Location The estate is located in the area of Ypsilou, which sits just above the main town of Chora. The vines are planted at an altitude of 100 metres above the Aegean Sea.
C: How to get there You can drive directly from Chora, which only takes a few minutes by car or taxi. You can also join a local guided tour that provides private transport straight to the vineyard gates.
D: Services and experiences Kourtesis offers a highly rated two hour wine tasting experience. They serve their organically produced wines on a grand monastery table. Visitors enjoy their drinks alongside wooden platters filled with local cheese, olives, organic tomatoes, and hot bread with fresh oregano. You must visit this estate because the sweeping sea views and the premium hospitality make it a truly unforgettable holiday activity.
2. Manesi Winery
A: Overall Information Manesi Winery is a boutique family business that carefully blends local tradition with modern technology. The winemakers produce small batches of wine so they can focus on every single detail of the process. They use stainless steel tanks and classic oak barrels to ferment their grapes. The estate grows several grape types, including Assyrtiko, Moschato, and Potamisi. They rely entirely on hand harvesting and gentle bioclimatic practices to protect the natural balance of the land. Their signature collection is called Meltemia, and it features vibrant white, rich red, and elegant rose wines. The family has a true passion for the art of winemaking. Their strict dedication ensures that every bottle captures the true authentic character and soul of the island.
B: Location This charming winery is situated in the lush and green village of Apikia. Apikia is famously known for its natural water springs and beautiful scenery.
C: How to get there The best way to reach Apikia is by renting a car or taking a local taxi from Chora. The drive is incredibly scenic and takes about ten to fifteen minutes.
D: Services and experiences Guests can book a guided winery tour and a dedicated tasting session. The knowledgeable owners will walk you through the entire wine production journey. You must visit because you get to taste limited edition wines, such as their rare Mavrotragano rose, right where the grapes are grown.
3. Stratis Vineyards
A: Overall Information Stratis Vineyards is a traditional and highly respected local wine producer. The vineyard itself is named Katavolos, and it represents a deep commitment to the agricultural heritage of the region. The farmers cultivate the land with immense love, honouring centuries of local farming history. They grow a very wide range of white and red grape varieties. For their white wines, they use grapes like Begleri, Athiri, and Koumara. Their red wines feature Mavraki, Fokiano, and Roditis grapes. This extensive variety allows them to produce rich and complex flavours. The team here works extremely hard to maintain the natural landscape while creating exceptional local products. Their wines offer a true taste of the rugged island soil. They transform the abundant local agriculture into a wonderful feast of delights for everyone to enjoy.
B: Location The Katavolos vineyard is located high up on the slopes of Mount Gerakonas. The vines sit at an impressive altitude of roughly 500 to 530 metres above sea level.
C: How to get there Due to the mountain location, the most comfortable way to visit is by booking a guided half day tour. These local tours often include hotel pick up and drop off in a private minivan.
D: Services and experiences The vineyard offers an authentic tasting session where local winemakers reveal their craft and passion. You will learn all about the art of viticulture from the grape to the glass. People must visit to enjoy unique flavours that reflect the rich island terroir and time honoured traditions.
4. Mastoris Winery
A: Overall Information Mastoris Winery is a fantastic boutique family operation that produces highly respected artisanal wines. The founder, Dimitris Mastoris, started bottling his own wine in 2017. The estate focuses entirely on small scale production and low intervention methods. They use wild native yeasts for fermentation, and they choose to bottle their wine without filtering it. This careful and natural approach preserves the deep texture and natural aromatics of the drink. Some of the vines on the property are more than 30 years old. These old vines give their flagship red wine, Koumari, incredible depth and concentration. The production is very limited, which makes finding and tasting these bottles a very special experience for any visitor.
B: Location The vineyards are planted in the rural and hilly village of Chones. This quiet area is located right next to the coastal village of Ormos Korthi.
C: How to get there You can drive to the southern part of the island towards Ormos Korthi. From the main coastal road, you will take the local route up into the hills of Chones.
D: Services and experiences While they operate on a small scale, visitors can taste their exclusive wines, such as the bright Apanemo rose. You must visit because you will experience a true family driven ethos. You get to see the craftsmanship of an independent winemaker reconnecting with ancient viticultural heritage.
5. Stavari Winery
A: Overall Information Stavari Winery is a brilliant local business that operates both as a winery and a distillery. They are most famous for producing the celebrated Cavo d Oro wine series. This estate focuses heavily on the authentic agricultural practices of the Cyclades. They carefully select the best local grapes to produce wines that appeal to both locals and international tourists. The owners have dedicated themselves to putting the region on the map for fine dining and quality drinks. By combining traditional distillation methods with standard winemaking, they offer a very unique perspective on local alcohol production. Their deep commitment to high quality shines through in every single glass they pour. You will easily recognise their distinct and colourful labels in many local shops and restaurants across the island. The winemakers work tirelessly throughout the year to guarantee that their final product brings joy to every customer.
B: Location Stavari Winery is situated in the South Aegean region of the island. It sits in a peaceful setting that perfectly captures the relaxed island atmosphere.
C: How to get there You can reach the estate by hiring a car and driving towards the southern districts. Following the main island roads will lead you safely to their production site.
D: Services and experiences The winery provides a very welcoming environment where you can explore their famous Cavo d Oro brand. People must visit because the estate also operates as a distillery. This means you can learn about wine production and local spirit making all in one single and exciting trip.