The Boutari winery in Santorini has acquired the “Alfa Estate”, which with this specific move expands its activity in one of the most famous wine producing areas of Greece, beyond the strong PDO Amyntaio. The purchase of the historic winery by “Premia Properties”, which was completed today – after a long negotiation and a lot of paperwork – opens a new chapter for the presence of “Alfa Estate” on the Greek and international wine scene. “And this is because Santorini is the tip of the spear for Greek wine abroad, especially thanks to Assyrtiko. With the wines of Santorini, the very experience of what this island means, which has so much international traffic, is transmitted”, as the winemaker Angelos Iatridis points out, speaking to APE-MPE, who, however, does not reveal the amount of the price paid .

Mr. Iatridis, who has worked as a young oenologist at this particular winery during the 1995 and 1996 harvests, clarifies that “Estate Alpha” is in discussions about the purchase of the estate’s vineyard, which is approximately 60 acres in size, which it also belongs to Premia and needs revitalization, as for years it has not received the necessary care and irrigation.

“We are also interested in expanding further viticulturally” clarifies the winemaker, pointing out that during the revitalization of the vineyard, the traditional cultivation method of volcanic Santorini, the so-called “kouloura”, will be preserved, which protects the vines from extreme heat, drought and strong winds of the Aegean. In addition to the vineyard, the new owners will need to invest in the winery itself, which needs to be mechanically modernized and architecturally upgraded, according to Angelos Iatridis, who points out that for “Alfa Estate”, the acquisition of the Butaris winery in Santorini “is not a business move, but a deep investment in the heart of the Greek winemaking tradition and in the heritage that we must preserveeh”.

When will the first wine be ready?

To the question of when he estimates that it will be possible to harvest the first crop, Mr. Iatridis replies: “I wish we could immediately do something as a follow-up, but the bottom line is that whatever comes out will honor Greek wine. All this is a very big challenge for us, but we are confident that this strategic move will strengthen our position in the global market and open new avenues for the development of Greek wine».

A little history

The family, winegrowers and oenologists of Boutari winery began to explore Santorini viticulturally since the late 1980s, while the first harvest in Megalochori Santorini took place in 1989. But it is not only the wines that make this winery special. Its exterior spaces that are not purely related to production are also of interest, as the Boutari winery was a pioneer in the field of wine tourism, opening the doors of its Santorini facilities to the public first – in 1990 – and offering educational tours and tastings, while it was point of reference for the Film Club of Thira, with screenings and events.

As stated in a statement of the new owners, “with this acquisition, “Estate Alpha” confirms its commitment to the defense and promotion of the precious Greek viticultural tradition, combining the past with the future through sustainable development. Our long experience and deep know-how at every stage of the production process allow us to innovate with determination, reshaping the historic vineyards of Santorini, and ensuring that their unsurpassed quality will be preserved unchanged for generations to come. Fully aware of the unique challenges facing the island, we design and implement strategies that guarantee the sustainability of wine production in Santorini, maintaining the resilience of the vineyards in the face of the challenges of climate change».