Kefalonia & Zakynthos: A Wine Journey through the Ionian Islands

For the past five years, I have been championing the vineyards of the Ionian Islands, regarding them as the most exciting in Greece. Clearly, the wealth of indigenous grape varieties plays an important role in this view, as does their ability to produce outstanding wines in every colour and style. That impression is further strengthened by the decision of most producers, with only a few exceptions, to work almost exclusively with these native varieties. 

Of course, all this belongs to the romantic side of the story, a side that would mean very little if it were not matched by strong performance in the bottle. And this is precisely where Kefalonia and Zakynthos leave you open-mouthed: not only through the quality of their best wines, but also through the calibre of their so-called lesser bottles. So even if you cannot get hold of the wines listed below, there is no need to worry. No bottle from the Ionian Islands is likely to disappoint, while many wines scoring 8 and 8.5 have been left out simply for reasons of space.

White Wines

Goumas, Skiron 2023: This generous Vostilidi from Loutzeika is breathtaking in its explosiveness and concentration, with notes of dough and yellow fruit. A short spell in barrel adds power and length, along with a light tannic grip. (8.5/10)

Grampsas, Verdea 2025: Zakynthos has every reason to be proud of its Verdea. In the right hands, this white blend can astonish with its power, its character of white-fleshed fruit and flowers, and, in this case, its beautifully judged oak. (8.5/10)

Callinico, Pavlos 2025: This winery from Kallipado, with its history of more than a century, offers us a lovely single-varietal Pavlos from various vineyards across Zakynthos. It is soft, calm and full of pear notes. (7.5/10)

Orealios, Truth 2025: Seven growers from Kefalonia`s excellent cooperative provide the organic grapes for Truth, which is a little drier and more seasoned with marjoram than its iconic stablemate, the Robola San Gerasimo. (8/10)

Petrakopoulos, Palia Armakia 2025: This impressive Robola comes from two ungrafted vineyards perched at 700 metres. It trades a little of the minerality of Thymari Petra for greater body and more tannic presence. (8.5/10)

Sarris, Robola 2025: Panochori needs time to develop a clear qualitative lead, so if you do not feel like waiting, the superb “standard” Robola will charm you with its candied yellow fruit, length and perfectly integrated acidity. (8.5/10)

Sarris, V for Vostilidi 2025: Vostilidi in its most Alsatian expression. Yet alongside a nose full of honey and honeycomb stands a bone-crushing acidity, securing superb length and a five-year ageing potential. Wonderful. (8/10)

Sclavos, Vino di Sasso 2024: Yes, this is the winery’s entry-level Robola, but I always find it to be its best. Explosive aromas of wild chicory, terrific concentration and impressive length come together in a wine that reads like a poem. Give it another three years. (8.5/10)

Solomos, Verdea 2025: This winery from Bochali is in excellent form, and its Verdea leaves no room for disagreement. Soft and balanced, it shows complexity through notes of lemon verbena, white almond, minerals and citrus fruit. (8/10)

Rosé Wines

Haritatos, Typaldo 2025: With each passing year, this dry Muscat from the Paliki estate seems to gain ever more rose-scented varietal typicity. At the same time, it retains the sophisticated softness that has made it one of the country’s finest examples. (8/10)

Goumas, Zefyros Rosé 2025: This rosé from Avgoustiatis is the strongest label from the Zakynthos winery, and the 2025 vintage makes it clear why. Powerful, wild and very full, it sets its sweetness alongside the unripe freshness of watermelon and redcurrant. (8/10)

Petrakopoulos, Roz 2025: Mavrodaphne proves its calibre in rosé production too. This cuvée of 2,400 bottles has medium body and a red-fruit character, while abundant acidity and noticeable tannins provide length. (8/10)

Goumas, Avgoustiatis 2025: Vinified entirely in stainless steel, this cuvée comes from the Avgoustiatis variety and the semi-mountainous Potamakia vineyard site, at 450 metres. Yet that does not prevent it from being aromatic, blood-tinged in character, softly drinkable and supple. (8/10)

Grampsas, Nefeli 2021: At the Root of the Mountain is excellent. Yet the premium Nefeli offers its blood-tinged, softly drinkable power and generous tannic structure with even greater intensity and persistence, seasoning it with a balsamic character. (8.5/10)

Petrakopoulos, Mov 2024: There are just 800 bottles, but those quick enough to secure one will enjoy an orgy of cinnamon, ink, black fruit and blood. More austere than in other vintages and tremendously structured, it will impress for 10 to 15 years. (9/10)

Sarris, Megali Petra 2024: Slowly and methodically, Panagiotis Sarris is emerging as one of Greece’s finest producers. His Mavrodaphne, full of iodine and black fruit, delivers an explosion of length and offers a masterclass in tannins. (9/10)

Sclavos, Synodos 2024: A biodynamic blend of Mavrodaphne and Vostilidi, full of lily, intense ripe-strawberry flavour and acidity that never allows it to become tiring or flabby. Its beautiful tannins play their part in that too. (8.5/10)

Solomos, Avgoustiatis Indigenous Yeasts 2022: This newly released cuvée will not appeal to everyone, but no one could deny its interest. Camphor, blood, earth and caramel come together in a soft, slightly astringent whole. (7.5/10)

Petrakopoulos, Muscat of Kefalonia 2024: If this were not a thrilling Greek Muscat, it could easily pass for a top-class icewine. Such is the intensity, concentration and apricot-laden persistence of this PDO masterpiece. (9/10)

Sclavos, Vin Doux Du Soleil 2024: With 175 g/l of residual sugar and acidity of 9 g/l, this delivers sweet-and-sour explosions; 12 months in barrel provide a caramel-like backdrop, while the Muscat brings pure peachy pleasure. As for the sun-drying, thankfully it affects only the concentration. (9/10)

*The lead photograph for the article is from Petrakopoulos Estate.