Aegean Islands Trade Route

Island-hop through the Aegean following ancient Phoenician trade routes:...

Island-hop through the Aegean following ancient Phoenician trade routes: Santorini's volcanic Assyrtiko vineyards, the sacred island of Delos with Phoenician merchant evidence, and Rhodes' mountain wineries. This is where Phoenician maritime commerce met Greek island culture.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

7 experiences 🇬🇷 Greece moderate 1 week

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Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
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    Estate Argyros - Wines of Membliarus

    Santorini's premier private vineyard owner since 1903, with 130 hectares of ungrafted vines averaging 80 years old (some over 200). The volcanic terroir produces intensely mineral Assyrtiko. Tours include cellar visit and tasting of their award-winning range including the 96-point Cuvée Monsignori.

    tour $$
  2. 2
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    Domaine Sigalas - Volcanic Terroir Pioneer

    Paris Sigalas founded this legendary estate in 1991, pioneering single-vineyard Assyrtiko. The wines consistently score 90-94 points and established a new expectation for Greek white wines. The stunning Oia location offers caldera views during tasting.

    tour $$$
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    Hatzidakis Winery - Organic Cave Tasting

    Santorini's first certified organic winery, founded 1996 by the late Haridimos Hatzidakis. The cave-like tasting room carved into the mountainside offers an intimate experience with 6 wines and cheese for just 20 EUR. Wines use only indigenous yeasts and no chemical additives.

    tour $$
  4. 4
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    Akrotiri Archaeological Site - Bronze Age Wine Culture

    UNESCO Tentative List site preserving a Minoan city frozen by volcanic eruption around 1627 BC. Frescoes, pottery, and artifacts reveal advanced Bronze Age culture with strong Phoenician trade connections. The site predates the Membliarus settlement, showing even earlier links to the eastern Mediterranean. Tickets are sold on site by the Greek Ministry of Culture; the atlas publishes no booking link for Akrotiri until an official e-ticket URL can be verified.

    adventure $
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    Delos Archaeological Site - Phoenician Trade Hub

    UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important archaeological site in the Cyclades. After 167 BC, Delos became a free port where Phoenician merchant associations (Tyrian Herakleistai, Berytian Poseidoniastai) established temples, warehouses, and trading operations.

    adventure $$
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    Emery Winery - Wines of Ancient Rhodes

    Established 1923, Emery is one of Greece's largest wineries, set at 700m altitude on Mount Attavyros. The Triantafillou family's third generation crafts wines from indigenous Athiri and Amorgiano (Mandilaria) grapes. Known for excellent sparkling wines.

    tour $$
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    Alexandris Family Winery - Organic Rhodes

    Family winery since 1968 cultivating 4 hectares organically on the slopes of Mount Ataviros. Their focus on the indigenous Athiri grape produces the highest-quality expression of this ancient Aegean variety using traditional and contemporary techniques.

    tour $

Plan the trip

Getting there and around

Safety
Islands very safe. Delos sun exposure extreme - bring protection. Ferry schedules weather-dependent (winter cancellations possible).
Parking
Free at all wineries. Santorini villages (Oia, Fira) have paid lots (5-10 EUR/day). Mykonos port parking tight.
Transport
Ferries between islands (book ahead in summer). Rent cars/ATVs on each island. Santorini bus network adequate but limited. Mykonos-Delos ferry mandatory. Rhodes needs car for mountain wineries.
Accessibility
Santorini wineries mostly accessible. Delos has uneven ancient paths (difficult for wheelchairs). Rhodes mountain roads winding.

Where to stay

Notes
Book Santorini 3-6 months ahead for caldera views. Mykonos expensive July-Aug. Rhodes Old Town atmospheric and affordable. Consider Airbnb for multi-night stays.
Budget
Santorini hostels (€30-50/bed). Mykonos camping (€15-25/night). Rhodes budget hotels (€40-60/night).
Splurge
Santorini caldera suites (€300-800+/night, infinity pools). Mykonos beach resorts (€250-500/night). Rhodes luxury (€200+/night).
Mid-range
Santorini cave hotels (€120-180/night, non-caldera). Mykonos Town hotels (€100-150/night). Rhodes Old Town boutiques (€80-120/night).

What it costs

Per day
€80-150/day mid-range. €50-70/day budget (hostels, street food). €200+/day luxury (caldera hotels, fine dining).
Ways to spend less
Santorini: stay in Pyrgos/Megalochori (half the price of Oia). Hatzidakis tasting is 20 EUR (best value). Cook some meals (grocery stores). Ferries cheaper booked online ahead. Rhodes very affordable compared to Cyclades. Mykonos expensive - minimize nights there.

Where to eat

Must-try dishes
Santorini: fava (yellow split pea puree), tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters), fresh fish. Rhodes: souma (grape spirit), pitaroudia (chickpea fritters). Greek salads everywhere.
Food and wine
Assyrtiko with grilled octopus or sea urchin. Santorini tomato dishes with unoaked whites. Rhodes CAIR red with slow-cooked lamb.
Recommended tables
Santorini: Sigalas restaurant (€40-60/person), Metaxi Mas (€25-35, locals favorite). Mykonos: avoid waterfront (tourist traps), seek inland tavernas. Rhodes: Emery restaurant (€25-35), Embonas village tavernas (€15-25).

If your time is short

Do not miss
  • Argyros premium tasting
  • Sigalas winery + restaurant
  • Hatzidakis value tasting
  • Delos archaeological site
  • Akrotiri ruins
Recommended
  • Emery winery Rhodes
  • Santorini sunset from Oia (even if not staying there)
  • Kamiros ruins
Skip if time is short
  • Alexandris Rhodes (if already doing Emery)
  • Mykonos town (party scene vs wine focus)
  • Multiple Santorini wineries beyond the top 3

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't visit Santorini wineries midday without booking - many close 1-4PM for siesta
  • Don't go to Delos unprepared - zero shade, zero facilities, bring everything
  • Don't skip Hatzidakis thinking "natural wine isn't for me" - it's genuinely excellent and 20 EUR for 6 wines
  • Don't assume you can do Santorini + Mykonos + Rhodes in 3 days - allow 4-5 days minimum
  • Don't visit Rhodes mountain wineries in July-August heat without early start (before 11AM)

Worth stopping for

  • Santorini caldera: sunset from Oia castle ruins (7:30-8:30PM summer, arrive 6:30PM for position)
  • Argyros/Sigalas: afternoon vineyard shots with caldera in background (4-6PM)
  • Delos: morning light on Terrace of Lions (9-10AM)
  • Akrotiri: covered walkways create interesting light/shadow patterns (any time)
  • Rhodes Emery: mountain landscapes with vineyard foreground (late afternoon)