3 MIN
TRAVEL TIPS
Santorini wine trails from Vedema Resort
The Vedema Resort, a Luxury Collection Hotel (www.vedema.gr) is exquisitely situated in the island’s most preserved settlement of Megalochori, surrounded by two wineries and vineyards. Guests at Vedema Resort can tap into Santorini’s 120 year old grape growing know-how at the sunset wine ceremony which takes place daily within the 400 year old catacombs of the elegant Canava Wine Bar. The owners and sommelier offer tastings of handpicked vintages of native wines from neighbouring estates of Boutari and Gavalas as well as Greece’s other wine regions.
Meanwhile, Vedema’s Vinsanto Restaurant & Lounge’s award winning chef will pair wines from modern Greek cuisine – all of which can be shipped back home. Serious wine lovers can explore and meet the wine growers on their home turf. Vedema Resort’s Concierge can arrange half day wine tours which visit a selection of the two dozen boutique wineries scattered around the island, set amongst the most photographed landscapes in the world.
Santorini’s native Assyritiko vines curl up on the volcanic soil like bird’s nests as protection from Aegean winds next to several rare local varieties like Katsano and Voudomato. The volcanic soil gives wines their charming sun-soaked mineral quality, while conjuring suggestions of peach, honey and lemon infused with Mediterranean herbs.
Most successful is the Boutari wine estate in Megalochori run by founder Yiannis, who has been credited with turning Greece into a mini Napa Valley by Spectator Magazine. After a lunch, tour others such as the multi award winning Argyros estate which produces some of the world’s finest organic handmade wines. Look out for its Atlantis label (red, white and rose) recently chosen by Marks and Spencer currently sold on UK shelves for around £10.99.
It’s no surprise that Santorini was voted NUMBER ONE ISLAND IN EUROPE this month by Travel + Leisure magazine in their World’s Best Awards readers’ survey. Santorini was also ranked seventh in BEST ISLAND IN THE WORLD.
For more information contact: June Field Three Sixty Degrees www.threesixtydegrees.net , T: + 44 208 940 9527 , M: + 44 775 108 2168
NOTES FOR EDITORS: Media are invited to stay at the Vedema Resort or Mystique Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, for a period of two nights (closed from 31 October 2012 to April 2013) in return for secured commissions.
Please contact June Field by phone or email as above.