Gavalas Winery: About | The Wines | Ratings & Awards | Distributors | Maps | Media | Contact
Gavalas family has been engaged in the vinification of the varieties
grown in Santorini since the end of the 19th century.
The Gavalas Winery is a traditional family winery located in Megalochori, Santorini, with a tradition in winemaking for more than 300 hundred years. George Gavalas, who is the winemaker, is the 4th generation that continues this long history.
Up until the 1920 the production was mainly distributed throughout the island of Santorini as well as being exported to the city of Alexandria, Egypt. In 1930 the winery started to ship wine to Athens and Piraeus. For the first time in 1998 the Gavalas family bottled their own production at the winery in Megalochori. The beginning was with two labels: Santorini and Vinsanto, which are two of the most recognizable wines of the island, and at this time the winery produces 10 different labels using a lot of the native varietals of Santorini’s vineyard.
In 2004 the winery formed so to be accessible for wine tours and tastings. Nowadays it is available almost all year round ( April – December ), so people can visit it and have an extended tour at the winery, seeing and learning about the history of winemaking in Santorini through the years, as the tour is being held both at the old part of the winery ( old cellars and patitiria ) and the modern as well. People that visit the winery in late August have the chance to take part in the traditional foot-stomping of the grapes for the wine Vinsanto.
Winery Philosophy
With the legacy and experience of 300 years, Gavalas family produces high quality wines with unique characteristics in international market, always with respect to indigenous varieties. There has been an effort from the winery for winemaking from rare, unknown varieties such as Katsano, Gaidouria and Voudomato. Santorini’s vineyard has more than 30 grape varieties that are under extinction as they are not used. We want to show another potential of the wines of Santorini.
Vineyard
Santorini has approximately 40 different indigenous varieties which grow at the 14.000 acres of the island’s vineyard. The most known are Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mavrotragano and Mantilaria. Santorini’s climate is characterized by a reduced rate of rainfall, strong winds and hot summer. Characteristic is also the big difference in temperature between day and night which increases the level of acidity.
The vineyards of the winery as well as the vineyards of the people that we cooperate with, are located at the south part of the island, mainly at Akrotiri and Megalochori.
The Wines

Santorini 2015
Dry White Wine
PDO Santorini
An excellent, typical Santorini white, that can be recognized from a distance, thanks to its trademark blue bottle. It is made from selected grapes in Megalohori and it is a vibrant, perfectly balanced wine, that shows a characteristic lemony minerality on the nose, supported by ultra-crisp acidity on the palate. A top choice to accompany an elaborate fish and seafood meal, featuring dishes such as oysters, sea urchin and calamari.
(Ted Lelekas, December 2016)
GRAPE/BLEND:
100% Assyrtiko
ALC: 13% abv

Katsano 2015
Dry White Wine
PGI Cyclades
You’d be forgiven if you claimed to have never heard of the grapes that are blended to make this fine white wine from Santorini. They represent the tiniest part of the island’s vineyards, still winemaker George Gavalas made it his personal crusade to create an excellent wine with them. Indeed, this is a wine with an elegant nose of flowers and herbs, and a friendly palate with thirst-quenching acidity. A great aperitif and an top pair with seafood risotto.
(Ted Lelekas, December 2016)
GRAPE/BLEND:
85% Katsano, 15% Gaidouria
ALC: 12.5% abv
White Wines
Assyrtiko Gavalas
PDO Santorini
GRAPE/BLEND: Assyrtiko 100%
ALC: 13.0% abv
Santorini Gavalas
PDO Santorini
GRAPE/BLEND: Assyrtiko 100%
ALC: 13.0% abv
Santorini Natural Ferment Gavalas
PDO Santorini
GRAPE/BLEND: Assyrtiko 100%
ALC: 13.0% abv
Nykteri Gavalas
PDO Santorini
GRAPE/BLEND: Assyrtiko 100%
ALC: 14.0% abv
Aidani Gavalas
PGI Cyclades
GRAPE/BLEND: Aidani 100%
ALC: 12.5% abv
Katsano Gavalas
PGI Cyclades
GRAPE/BLEND: Katsano 85%, Gaidouria 15%
ALC: 12.5% abv
Red Wines
Xenoloo Gavalas
PGI Cyclades
GRAPE/BLEND: Mavrotragano 50%, Voudomato 45%, Athiri 5%
ALC: 13.0% abv
Mavrotragano Gavalas
PGI Cyclades
GRAPE/BLEND: Mavrotragano 100%
ALC: 13.5% abv
Rosé Wines
Voudomato Gavalas
Origin: Santorini
PGI Cyclades
GRAPE/BLEND: Voudomato 100%
ALC: 12.5% abv
Naturally Sweet Wine from Sundried Grapes
Vinsanto Gavalas
PDO Santorini
GRAPE/BLEND: Assyrtiko 85%, Aidani, 10%, Athiri, 5%
ALC: 10.0% abv
Ratings & Awards
Robert Parker
- Nykteri | 2014 | 92
- Santorini | 2014 | 91
- Katsano | 2014 | 90
Jancis Robinson
- Katsano | 2015 | 16/20
- Santorini | 2014 | 16.5/20
- Vinsanto | 2008 | 17.5/20
Vinsanto
Wine | Vintage | Competition | Prize | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vinsanto | 2009 | 19th Japan Wine Challenge | Gold | 2016 |
Vinsanto | 2009 | Decanter World Wine Awards | Silver | 2015 |
Vinsanto | 2008 | 15th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Silver | – |
Vinsanto | 2008 | Decanter World Wine Awards | Silver | 2014 |
Vinsanto | 2005 | 12th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Gold | – |
Vinsanto | 2004 | 11th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Gold | – |
Vinsanto | 2003 | Tasting Oinothiki 2009 | Silver | – |
Vinsanto | 2002 | 8th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Silver | – |
Nykteri
Wine | Vintage | Competition | Prize | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nykteri | 2014 | 19th Japan Wine Challenge | Bronze | 2016 |
Nykteri | 2014 | Japan Sakura Award | Silver | – |
Nykteri | 2007 | 8th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Gold | – |
Katsano
Wine | Vintage | Competition | Prize | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Katsano | 2015 | TexSom International Wine Awards | Silver | 2016 |
Katsano | 2010 | 11th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Silver | – |
Katsano | 2009 | 10th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Silver | – |
Santorini Natural Ferment
Wine | Vintage | Competition | Prize | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Santorini Natural Ferment | 2014 | PAR Wine Award Greece | Gold | 2015 |
Santorini
Wine | Vintage | Competition | Prize | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Santorini | 2015 | 19th Japan Wine Challenge | Bronze | 2016 |
Santorini | 2015 | Japan Sakura Award | Silver | – |
Santorini | 2014 | PAR Wine Award Greece | Silver | 2015 |
Santorini | 2012 | Critics Challenge International Wine Competition | Gold | – |
Santorini | 2012 | Sommelier Challenge, International Wine Competition | Gold | – |
Santorini | 2012 | San Diego International Wine Competition | Silver | 2014 |
Santorini | 2012 | Grand Harvest Awards | Gold | 2013 |
Santorini | 2011 | International Wine Channel TV Awards | Bronze | 2013 |
Santorini | 2011 | International Women’s Wine Competition | Silver | 2013 |
Santorini | 2011 | San Francisco International Wine Competition | Silver | – |
Santorini | 2011 | Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition | Bronze | – |
Santorini | 2011 | Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition | Silver | – |
Santorini | 2011 | San Francisco International Wine Competition | Bronze | 2012 |
Santorini | 2009 | 10th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Silver | – |
Santorini | 2007 | 8th Thessaloniki International Wine Competition | Silver | – |
Aidani
Wine | Vintage | Competition | Prize | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aidani | 2015 | PAR Wine Award Greece | Silver | 2016 |
Voudomato
Wine | Vintage | Competition | Prize | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Voudomato | 2015 | PAR Wine Award Greece | Gold | 2016 |
Distributors
BELGIUM
OENOGEA S.P.R.L.
RUE SUNLET, 46
4020 LIEGE
TEL: 043444352
www.oenogea.be
CYPRUS
SCORPIO TRADING COMPANY LTD
Sophouli 5A
1096 Nicosia
Cyprus
Phone: +35722374840
Fax: +35722374622
FRANCE
EURL KOUTALAKI CONCEPTS
13, RUE BOUQUIERES
31000 TOULOUSE
TEL: +33531 479338
SOCOFRAM SARL
Z.A. Hautes Varennes – 3 allée des Coquelicots
94471 BOISSY SAINT LEGER
RCS CRETEIL sous le N° B 322 294 794
tél. +33 1 56 73 93 93
www.socofram.fr
email: socofram@socofram.fr
UNITED KINGDOM
SOUTHERN WINE ROADS LTD
23 Ruskin Drive,
Orpington
BR6 9RP
Greater London
www.southernwineroads.com
e-mail: info@southernwineroads.com
DIONYSOS IMPORTS
11581 ROBERTSON DR.
MANASSAS, VA
TEL: +1 703 392 7073
dionysos91@hotmail.com
www.dionysosimports.com
DISTINCTIVE IMPORTS LLC
941 ESTAS Ct.
SCHAUMBURG, 60193, IL
TEL: +1 224 653 9910
www.distinctiveimports.com
MANI IMPORTS
3601 PARKWAY PLACE
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA
TEL: +1 916 373 1100
info@maniimports.com
www.maniimports.com
R&R SELECTIONS
6818 FIRENZE LN.
FRISCO, TX
TEL: +1 806 577 5423
www.rrselections.com
CHINA
BEIJING ANTECH CO. LTD
ROOM A6-1612 MIDTOWN, BUILDING 4 GUANGQU FAMILY,
DONGCHENG DISTRICT,
BEIJING, 100022
TEL: +86-10-64052288
JAPAN
NOSTIMIA CO. LTD
HEAD OFFICE: 1808-5 GODAI, NAKA-SHI, IBARAKI 311-0111
+81 (0) 29-298 2464
MITO OFFICE : 2-6-30 KAMIMITO,
MITO-SHI, IBARAKI 310-0041
TEL: +81 (0) 29-222 0560
thana@nostimia.com
www.nostimia.com
W.S. KAROULIAS
23rd National Road Athens-Lamia, 14565 Agios Stefanos Attica
North Greece branch : 47A-B Steliou Kazantzidi str 57001 Pylaia, Thessaloniki
tel: 214 6876200
fax: 2146876210
info@karoulias.gr