Corfu in a Glass: 6 Wines to Explore the Island’s Vineyard Heritage

Our Selection

Kakotrygis Barrel-Aged, Nicoluzo Estate

From a tiny winery in Ano Korakiana, Nicoluzo’s Kakotrygis is cultivated in a clearing surrounded by wild pear trees, cypresses, and centuries-old olive groves. The vast majority of their small production is exported. This Kakotrygis fits more the profile of a red, rather than a white wine—rich, full-bodied, and complex, with notes of honey, flowers, vanilla, and well-integrated oak.

Ano Korakiana, Tel. (+30) 694.377.7728

Robola Cuvée Spéciale, Theotoky Estate

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At this historic estate in Giannades, we sampled Corfu’s take on Robola, the signature grape of neighboring Kefalonia. The Theotoky family, whose lineage includes Georgios Theotokis (four-time Prime Minister of Greece between 1899 and 1909), has been making wine here for five generations. Their Robola, grown in the Livadi Ropa vineyard, displays an impressive petrol aroma with a soft, lemony palate.

Ropa Valley, Giannades, Tel. (+30) 26610.515.24

Kakotrygis, Livadiotis Winery

Kakotrygis is certified as a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) wine in the greater Halikounas region. The Livadiotis family, in a rare move, uprooted olive trees to plant vineyards, establishing their winery here in 1989 and producing one of the island’s few PGI wines. High in alcohol and acidity, the wine is golden in hue with notes of lemon, honeycomb, fig, vanilla, raisin, and a faint tannic edge. “It’s a red wine pretending to be a white,” say the producers.

Halikounas, Tel. (+30) 693.686.8178

Kakotrygis-Skopelitiko Rosé, Borovino

Produced in the Stryftelia area of Lefkimmi, just 500 meters from the sea, this refreshing rosé is a delightful blend of Kakotrygis and Skopelitiko. Light and vibrant, with red fruit and caramel notes, it paired beautifully with our noumboulo fumicado, Corfu’s famed smoked pork.

Lefkimmi, Tel. (+30) 697.491.3285, 698.051.1235

Skopelitiko Rosé, Pontiglio

Pontiglio’s vineyard in Neochori, Lefkimmi, has been in the family since the mid-19th century. The modern winery was established in 2014 and now produces a soft, mellow rosé from Skopelitiko grapes. Expect subtle aromas of kumquat jam and honeycomb, a medium body, and a refreshing finish.

Neochori, Lefkimmi, Tel. (+30) 26620.228.66

Grammy Rosé, Grammenos Winery

Perched atop the mountain of Sinarades in Aerostato, Grammenos Winery cultivates the rare Petrokorithos grape on its western slopes. The result is a delicate, low-alcohol rosé with a luminous pink hue and intense muscat aromas; a graceful, expressive wine that speaks to the island’s hidden potential.

Sinarades, Tel. (+30) 694.612.4662

This article was previously published in Greek at gastronomos.gr.