Greece has 300+ indigenous grape varieties — more than any other country in Europe — and Corfu, oddly, has been one of the slowest islands to capitalise on its share of them. The Venetians prioritised olive oil over vines for four centuries, the British carried on the trend, and by the late 20th century most Corfiot wine was bulk wine for tavernas. That has changed in the last twenty years. A handful of small producers have revived four indigenous varieties — Kakotrygis, Petrokoritho, Skopelitiko, Mavrodaphne — and built a quiet wine renaissance on the island.
This is a guide for travellers who want to taste those wines, meet the people making them, and understand what makes Corfiot wine distinctive.
The Four Local Grapes
Kakotrygis — "the difficult harvest"
The headline white grape of Corfu. The name translates roughly as "hard to harvest" — the bunches are loose and the berries thin-skinned, demanding careful hand picking. The wine itself is everything the name doesn't suggest: bright, mineral, with stone fruit and a salt finish that mirrors Corfu's coastal limestone. Best drunk young (1-2 years) and very cold. Pairs beautifully with grilled fish or the island's wild greens.
Petrokoritho — "the stone girl"
A second white, named for its stone-hard berry skins that give the grape its hardiness in dry summers. The wine is fuller-bodied than Kakotrygis, with citrus and almond notes and a longer finish. Petrokoritho ages better than its sibling — 3-4 years from a good vintage develops a honeyed character. Strong with grilled chicken, hard cheeses, or Corfiot pastitsada.
Skopelitiko — "the red of the Ionians"
The native red of the Ionian islands. Light to medium-bodied, soft tannins, red-fruit and herbal notes — closer to a Beaujolais Cru than to a Greek mainland red. Almost extinct by 1990, Skopelitiko has had a serious revival in the last decade and is now Corfu's most exciting indigenous red. Drink slightly chilled in summer; pair with lamb, slow-cooked goat, or a properly garlicky sofrito.
Mavrodaphne — "the sweet treasure"
Mavrodaphne is grown across western Greece but Corfu has its own sweet-fortified expression — closer to a vintage port than a dessert wine. Dark, raisin-and-coffee notes, alcohol around 15%, served in small glasses with hard cheeses, dark chocolate, or a long evening on a terrace. The bottles are small (375ml) and one will see four people through dessert and a half-hour conversation.
Wineries Worth Visiting
The Corfu wine scene is small but accessible. Most active producers welcome visitors by appointment; some run guided tastings during the season. Here are the four most-visited:
Theotoky Estate (near Giannades): The biggest producer on the island, with extensive vineyards near the west coast. Tours include vineyard walks, the cellar, and a structured tasting. €15-25 per person depending on flight, by appointment.
Ambelonas Corfu (near Pelekas): Boutique producer focused on indigenous varieties. The tasting room overlooks the vineyards and the west coast — one of the better wine views in Greece. Tasting plus light food €30 per person.
Grammenos Winery (south Corfu): Small family operation specialising in Skopelitiko and Mavrodaphne. Less polished than the bigger names, more authentic — a chat with the winemaker is usually included whether you booked it or not.
Livadiotis Vineyards (interior): A revival project using only indigenous grapes, with experimental natural winemaking. Visits by appointment, often combining a vineyard tour with lunch at the producer's family taverna.
Local Tip
Most wineries close on Sundays and have shorter hours in low season. Email or call at least 48 hours ahead to confirm — these are family operations and the same person who pours your wine probably also drives the tractor. Best months for visits: late September and early October during harvest, when vineyards are full of grapes and the cellars are working.
Where to Taste Without Committing to a Winery Visit
If you want to sample Corfu's wines without booking a winery, several Corfu Town wine bars now stock the indigenous varieties by the glass:
Bring: a small wine bar in the Old Town focused exclusively on Greek wines, with at least 8 Corfiot bottles by the glass.
Cavo: in the Liston arcade — touristy location, surprisingly serious list. Order a flight of three Corfu whites for €18.
Most decent tavernas inland stock at least one local wine these days. Ask the waiter what's local and request a tasting glass before you commit to a bottle.
Buying Bottles to Take Home
The municipal market in Corfu Town has 2-3 dedicated wine merchants who carry Corfiot bottles at honest prices. Expect to pay €12-20 per bottle for the better whites and reds, €25-35 for the top Skopelitikos. Mavrodaphne 375ml: €18-25.
Pairing Corfu Wines With Corfu Food
Local wine and local food were designed for each other:
Kakotrygis with grilled sea bream or whitebait.
Petrokoritho with Pastitsada (the Venetian-Corfu pasta-with-beef).
Skopelitiko with slow-cooked goat or Sofrito (the Corfiot beef stew).
Mavrodaphne with Mandoles (Corfiot caramelised almonds) or Pastitsotsouna (a regional sweet cake).
For the food side of these pairings, see our traditional dishes guide.
Getting Around the Wineries
The winery scene is spread across the island — west coast (Theotoky, Ambelonas), south (Grammenos), interior (Livadiotis). A car is mandatory unless you're booking through a tour operator. If you're driving, designate a non-drinker; the tasting pours add up faster than you think on a hot afternoon.
★ Rent with Herbie Cars
Free delivery to your hotel or the airport. Compact cars handle the winery roads fine. Useful for combining two wineries plus a beach stop in a day.
Heading to Corfu Town? See the Corfu Town area guide for free-delivery details and drive distances.
Book a car →Where to Stay
A central or west-coast base puts you closest to the active wineries. Inland locations work well too — most wineries are in agricultural rather than coastal zones.
★ Ef Zin Villa (Skripero)
Inland location near several of the active wineries. 15 minutes from Theotoky, 25 from Ambelonas, and you can walk to the village taverna afterwards.
View villa →Further Reading
For the food side: our cuisine guide and olive oil tasting guide. For traditional villages near the wineries, see our villages guide.