The wine that arrived with our beach house on day one — house white in a 1L plastic bottle from the village shop — is now stocked alongside half a dozen serious Corfiot bottles. Guests have shifted with us. Five years ago "Greek wine" meant retsina jokes; today our regular guests ask for Kakotrygis by name on arrival. This is the wine guide we hand out to anyone curious about the indigenous grapes Corfu has quietly revived.
The Four Grapes Worth Knowing
Kakotrygis (white)
The everyday white we keep in the beach-house fridge. Mineral, slightly salty, drinks well young. Pair with grilled fish straight off the BBQ. Most guests describe it as "like a really good Albariño but Greek."
Petrokoritho (white)
Fuller-bodied white, with citrus and almond. Holds up better than Kakotrygis to richer dishes — this is what we open with grilled chicken or the island's famous Pastitsada.
Skopelitiko (red)
The Corfu surprise. A light red, served slightly chilled, that converts white-wine drinkers and tannin-haters alike. Soft, fruity, herby. The bottle most likely to disappear faster than expected on a beach-house terrace evening.
Mavrodaphne (sweet)
The dessert wine. Sweet, fortified, port-like. We bring this out when guests are still on the terrace at 10 PM and conversation has shifted to philosophy. A 375ml bottle pours four small glasses — perfect end to a Corfu day.
Three Wineries We Send Guests To
Theotoky Estate — biggest, most polished. Vineyard tour, cellar visit, a structured tasting with bread and cheese. €15-25 per person. Good for first-time wine tourists. 30 minutes' drive from the beach house.
Ambelonas Corfu — boutique, focused on indigenous varieties, with an overlook view from the tasting room that's worth the visit alone. Tasting plus light food €30. 40 min drive.
Grammenos — smallest, most personal. The winemaker often does the tasting himself. Specialises in Skopelitiko. 1 hour drive south. Worth the trip if you want a real conversation about Corfu wine, not a polished tour.
Booking note
All three need an appointment, especially in low season — these are family operations, not commercial visitor centres. We can call them for you on arrival, or you can email the day before. Sundays are usually closed.
The Beach House Wine Stash
We keep a basic local wine selection on hand for guests — usually one Kakotrygis, one Skopelitiko, and one bottle of Mavrodaphne for slow nights. There's a self-service honesty system: take what you want, mark it on the sheet, settle on departure. Most guests use it; a few bring their own from the wineries they visited.
Drinking on a Budget
Local wine in supermarkets is fine but generic. The municipal market in Corfu Town has 2-3 dedicated wine merchants stocking the indigenous bottles at €12-20 — significantly better value than restaurants and only marginally more than supermarket wine. Worth a stop on a market shopping trip.
Tavernas almost always have at least one local bottle now. Ask the waiter what's local; if they look confused, that's your signal to leave.
Pairings With the Beach House Kitchen
Most of our guests cook at least a few meals in. Below: what to drink with what.
Grilled fish off the BBQ: Kakotrygis.
Greek salad and bread lunch: Kakotrygis or a light Petrokoritho.
Pastitsada or Sofrito: Petrokoritho or Skopelitiko.
Lamb / goat / slow-cooked stew: Skopelitiko, slightly chilled.
Cheese course or dessert: Mavrodaphne.
For the food side, see our traditional dishes guide.
Driving to Wineries
All three wineries we recommend require a car and a designated driver. Tasting pours are generous and the rural roads are not forgiving. We strongly recommend you don't drive after a winery visit — easier to plan for two people, alternating who tastes and who drives.
Herbie Car Hire
Free delivery to the beach house. Compact car or small SUV depending on your other plans for the week.
Book a carWhen to Visit
Peak winery season is late September and early October — harvest, working cellars, vineyards heavy with fruit. May-June and September are also lovely. July-August is hot for vineyard walks; book morning sessions if you must visit then. Winter visits are possible at the bigger wineries but most close December-February.
Old Town Wine Bars
If you do a day trip to Corfu Town and want a wine break, our sister apartment Oikia 4 sits in walking distance of three serious wine bars. Their pour-by-the-glass menus are useful for tasting bottles before committing to a winery visit.
Further reading: traditional dishes, olive oil tasting, and our mountain villages guide.