I-Heart-Mykonos-tank-top.jpg
Greek-flag-socks.jpg
Santorini-luggage-tag.jpg
save-water-drink-ouzo-t-shirt.jpg

Museum of Samos Wine

North-East Aegean Islands

A visit to the Museum of Samos Wine to learn about the muscat grapes that produce the best dessert wines in the world and also the Greek spirit, Metaxa.

Old Wine Labels in the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek island of SamosOld Wine Labels in the Museum of Samos Wine

Samos produces some of the best dessert wines in the world, and wine which goes into the famous Greek spirit, Metaxa. A visit to the Museum of Samos wine is the perfect way to get to know the wines of Samos.

Around the harbour from the Archaeological Museum in Vathi stands a museum to another subject that has played a huge role in the history of Samos: its wine. The Museum of Samos Wine celebrates the fact that wine has been made on the island since antiquity, and for centuries the name of Samos has been known around the world for producing some of the finest dessert wines.

The shop in the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek island of Samos

Museum Shop
All Photos (c) Mike Gerrard

Samos even exports its wines to France, which is a triumph in itself as the French are renowned for being very parochial when it comes to their choice in wine. Yet 40% of the wine produced on Samos – and they produce over 5 million litres a year – is exported to France where it is mainly drunk as an aperitif. 

Old Samos wine bottle in the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek island of SamosOld Samos Wine Bottle

Another large portion of the best Samos wine is bought by the Metaxa company and taken to its distillery in Athens, where it is a key ingredient in Greece's unique spirit, Metaxa. (Most people refer to Metaxa as a brandy, and although it tastes very similar to a fine brandy it technically is not a brandy as brandy by definition does not contain wine.)

Metaxa bottle on a bar in GreeceMetaxa: In Every Bar in Greece

The Museum of Samos Wine

The Museum of Samos Wine is housed in a building near the waterfront that dates back to the 1930s and was once a warehouse and barrel-making facility, our guide Yiannis Parassiris tells us. Iannis works for the wine cooperative that runs the museum as part of its activities, and which goes by the grand name of the United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos.

Displays In the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of SamosIn the Museum of Samos Wine

'Some of the old barrels are on display,' Iannis says, 'but we no longer make barrels here. The biggest one on display holds 18,000 litres. The cooperative was founded in 1934, although of course Samos wine had been popular for many years before that. The winegrowers decided to unite to avoid exploitation by European wine buyers. At the cooperative we take the grapes from 25 villages. We have about 2,500 members, with their families, and the vineyards cover about 1600 acres.'

Old photos in the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of Samos

The vast majority of the Samos vineyards cultivate the muscat grape, which grows exceptionally well on the island. It mostly grows here and in the South of France.

'If you look at the historic black and white photos that are on display around the museum,' Iannis says, 'you'll find that not much has changed because of the difficult access. You can't get machinery into the vineyards so it is still all done by hand. One change is that each village traditionally had a grape collector, as most people only had donkeys, but now the growers bring their own grapes to us on trucks.'

Samos Vineyards on the Slopes of Mount Ampelos on the Greek island of SamosSamos Vineyards on the Slopes of Mount Ampelos

On Samos the grapes grow at everything from sea level up to about 900m high (2,953 ft), with many of the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Ampelos, whose name appropriately means 'vine'. It's the highest mountain on Samos, at a height of 1,095 metres (3,593 ft).

Because of the different elevations, the harvest on Samos lasts for about two months, usually in August and September. The sea level grapes are ready first, though the higher grapes take longer to mature and produce a more concentrated taste and wine of a higher quality, although a lot depends on the individual microclimates.

Grapes growing on the Greek island of SamosSamos Grapes

'The union also supports growers with advice to help control the quality,' Iannis explains to us. 'This is an AOC so there are certain rules to follow. The secret to the success of the wine is the altitude, the drainage, the maturation. It's a sweet wine but also has a freshness that is almost metallic and might remind you of stone. That's why Samos wines are known around the world. Samos has been known for centuries as a supplier of top sweet wines.

Displays In the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of SamosIn the Museum of Samos Wine

'The price growers get from us depends on the quality of the grapes and the type of wine they will be making. Better grapes obviously get higher prices. They also get higher prices for grapes that go into the Grand Cru that goes to France because there is a lesser yield. We're not a profit organisation. We have to cover our costs and then the rest is distributed. The role of the union is vital in the success of Samos wine. Seven of the producers are elected to the Board of Directors. Many of them are quite young, in their 30s, so the younger people are still working the vineyards.'

Displays In the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of SamosIn the Museum of Samos Wine

Visiting the Museum of Samos Wine is clearly educational as well as entertaining. It's an impressive museum that covers two floors and the old photos are especially interesting. Elsewhere there are collections of wine-making equipment, bottles, books, ledgers and all manner of things.

Tasting Hall In the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of SamosMuseum of Samos Wine's Tasting Hall

Museum of Samos Wine: Tasting

At the end, naturally, we enjoy a wine tasting. We start with two dry muscats, an Aegean Breeze and a High Peaks. The Aegean Breeze manages to be both crisp and dry yet aromatic, and we try pairing the High Peaks with a yellow goats' cheese from Samos, a perfect match.

Tasting Hall In the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of SamosReady for a Tasting?

We move on to the least sweet of the sweet wines, the Grand Cru that the French enjoy so much as an aperitif. It is light and fresh, with a slight metallic taste to it, good as a palate cleanser. The Vin Doux is 15% ABV, a strong and sweet wine that is the typical dessert wine we associate with Samos.




Wine tasting at the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of Samos

The Samos Anthemis is the same as the Vin Doux but aged for five years. It tastes like toffee, raisins and Christmas pudding, and is the most popular Samos wine in the UK. Samos Nectar is aged for six years and is a deeper more tawny colour, tasting of dried fruit, caramel and nuts. No wonder these drinks are popular at Christmas.

Wine tasting at the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of Samos

Before leaving, don't miss the museum shop, which sells a few other local products as well as wine. But check those wine prices. For medal-winning wine the prices are much, much cheaper than you'll find them outside of Greece.

Wines for sale in the shop at the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of SamosWines for Sale in the Museum Shop

So if you're in Vathi on Samos, don't think that the Archaeological Museum is the only museum in town. The Wine Museum of Samos is also full of history – and you get to drink wine too.

Opening times at the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of SamosOpening Times

The Museum of Samos Wine is open May-October, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5.30pm, but double-check on the website before visiting.

Google Map showing the location of the Museum of Samos Wine on the Greek Island of Samos(c) Google Maps

See more photos on our YouTube slideshow

Where to Stay on Samos

Other Greece wine pages.

  •  Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.

    Corfu Food and Drink

    Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.

  • Visiting Santorini wineries is a popular activity on this Greek island in the Cyclades, whose volcanic soil provides a distinctive terroir.

    Santorini Wineries

    Visiting Santorini wineries is a popular activity on this Greek island in the Cyclades, whose volcanic soil provides a distinctive terroir.

  • Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.

    Corfu’s Special Cuisine

    Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.

  • Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.

    Corfu Olives

    Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.

  • The First Corfu Beer Festival took place in Arillas in North West Corfu and celebrated the beer of Bavaria and of Corfu, in the Ionian islands of Greece.

    Corfu Beer Festival

    The First Corfu Beer Festival took place in Arillas in North West Corfu and celebrated the beer of Bavaria and of Corfu, in the Ionian islands of Greece.

  • Antonis Maroudas is a Zakynthos winemaker who lives on the 'wine road' and is one of the people who make Zakynthos.

    Zakynthos Winemaker

    Antonis Maroudas is a Zakynthos winemaker who lives on the 'wine road' and is one of the people who make Zakynthos.

  • If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.

    Where to Eat in Athens and Piraeus

    If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.

  • The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Greek grape varieties to help you know which wines to choose when dining in restaurants or buying wine in Greece.

    Greek Grape Varieties

    The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Greek grape varieties to help you know which wines to choose when dining in restaurants or buying wine in Greece.

  • Greek food and drink is a highlight of any visit and Greece Travel Secrets brings you info about food and drink from all over Greece, from Athens to Zakynthos.

    Greek Food and Drink

    Greek food and drink is a highlight of any visit and Greece Travel Secrets brings you info about food and drink from all over Greece, from Athens to Zakynthos.

  • Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.

    Zacharioudakis Winery

    Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.

  • What is Metaxa? Metaxa is an amber Greek spirit combining brandy made by distilling wine, sweet wine from Samos and a secret recipe of Mediterranean botanicals.

    What Is Metaxa?

    What is Metaxa? Metaxa is an amber Greek spirit combining brandy made by distilling wine, sweet wine from Samos and a secret recipe of Mediterranean botanicals.

  • Raki is an alcoholic drink made with distilled grapes and anise, and popular in Greece and other Mediterranean countries, including Greece’s neighbour Turkey.

    What Is Greek Raki?

    Raki is an alcoholic drink made with distilled grapes and anise, and popular in Greece and other Mediterranean countries, including Greece’s neighbour Turkey.

  • What is a Greek Salad – a Greek Salad is made up of tomatoes, cucumber, onions, green pepper, olives, and feta cheese.

    What Is a Greek Salad

    What is a Greek Salad – a Greek Salad is made up of tomatoes, cucumber, onions, green pepper, olives, and feta cheese.

  • Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.

    Touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete

    Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.

  • The Greece Travel Secrets guide to tipping in Greece from two Greece travel experts, including when to tip, what to tip and when not to tip.

    Tipping in Greece

    The Greece Travel Secrets guide to tipping in Greece from two Greece travel experts, including when to tip, what to tip and when not to tip.

  • UNESCO has made Thessaloniki a City of Gastronomy, under its Creative Cities network, the only city in Greece to be acknowledged for its unique food and drink.

    Thessaloniki: City of Gastronomy

    UNESCO has made Thessaloniki a City of Gastronomy, under its Creative Cities network, the only city in Greece to be acknowledged for its unique food and drink.

  • Greece Travel Secrets visits the Cretan Botano herbs and spices shop near Matala in southern Crete in search of the herb man of Kouses.

    The Herb Man of Kouses

    Greece Travel Secrets visits the Cretan Botano herbs and spices shop near Matala in southern Crete in search of the herb man of Kouses.

  • Studies have shown the Cretan Diet as one of the healthiest in the world, involving lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, and moderate amounts of wine.

    The Cretan Diet

    Studies have shown the Cretan Diet as one of the healthiest in the world, involving lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, and moderate amounts of wine.

  •  Thassos is in the North East Aegean and on this page from the Greece Travel Secrets website you can also see information about flights and ferries to Thassos.

    Thassos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    Thassos is in the North East Aegean and on this page from the Greece Travel Secrets website you can also see information about flights and ferries to Thassos.

  • The A-Z Thassos travel guide, including Kavala and Philippi, is newly updated for 2022 and is the most comprehensive guide to Thassos available.

    Thassos Travel Guide

    The A-Z Thassos travel guide, including Kavala and Philippi, is newly updated for 2022 and is the most comprehensive guide to Thassos available.

  • The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.

    Stilianou Winery near Knossos

    The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.

  • Samothraki (Greek) or Samothrace (English) is a small island in the north-east Aegean Sea with the closest Greek islands being Thassos and Lemnos.

    Samothraki

    Samothraki (Greek) or Samothrace (English) is a small island in the north-east Aegean Sea with the closest Greek islands being Thassos and Lemnos.

  • Samos is in the NE Aegean islands of Greece with attractions including Heraion and Pythagoreio, and this page tells you what to see and how to get there.

    Samos in the NE Aegean Islands of Greece

    Samos is in the NE Aegean islands of Greece with attractions including Heraion and Pythagoreio, and this page tells you what to see and how to get there.

  • The North East Aegean Islands include Lesvos, Thassos, Chios, Samos, Fourni, Ikaria, Limnos, Samothraki and here are tips on ferries, flights and what to do.

    North East Aegean Islands

    The North East Aegean Islands include Lesvos, Thassos, Chios, Samos, Fourni, Ikaria, Limnos, Samothraki and here are tips on ferries, flights and what to do.

  • Greek retsina is a dry white wine made and drunk all over Greece with a distinctive pine and resin flavour that people usually either love or hate.

    Greek Retsina

    Greek retsina is a dry white wine made and drunk all over Greece with a distinctive pine and resin flavour that people usually either love or hate.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

  1. Storm Elias continues, bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms until Thursday

    The Elias weather system was affecting several parts of the country on Tuesday, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and lightning.

    Read More

  2. EasyJet Launches New Route and Package Holidays to Skiathos

    British low-cost carrier EasyJet and tour operator easyJet holidays have announced the launch of flights and holidays to Skiathos from London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester for next summer.

    Read More

  3. Highway to Athens from Eleonas Toll re-opened to traffic

    The highway to Athens from the Eleonas Toll Station was opened to traffic by opening a lane on the opposite side of the road following its closure due to mudslides.

    Read More

  4. This Less-Visited Region In Southern Greece Has Stunning Beaches & Almost No Crowds

    On my first visit to the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece, I don’t remember what exactly prompted me to jump in a rental car and start exploring. I do remember the route: it was a narrow road…

    Read More

  5. Best Restaurants on Mykonos

    evas-garden-restaurant-mykonos-2.jpg
    Greece Travel Secrets picks its best restaurants on Mykonos, choosing those gourmet restaurants known for their fine dining, and some with tasting menus.

    Read More

  6. Things to Do on Mykonos

    mykonos-pixabay-2.jpg
    There are plenty of things to do on Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, such as nightlife, beaches, churches and visiting the ancient site of Delos.

    Read More

  7. Mykonos

    Mykonos_Greek_food_drink_cruises.jpg
    Mykonos in the Cyclades islands in Greece has cheap and luxury hotel accommodation, car rental, ferries from Athens, Santorini, Crete and other Greek islands.

    Read More

  8. Tsikoudia: Cretan Raki and the Taste of Tradition

    With its distinctive fruity aromas, tsikoudia is more than just a drink - it is a symbol of conviviality, hospitality, and the rich heritage of Crete.

    Read More

  9. New Maria Callas Museum to Open Soon

    A museum dedicated to the legendary Greek opera singer Maria Callas, located in the heart of Athens, will open its doors to the public later this year.

    Read More

  10. European Heritage Days 2023 at the Acropolis Museum

    In celebration of this year's European Heritage Days, the Acropolis Museum in Athens will offer free entry and host a special guided tour for children.

    Read More