Ionian Islands
Greece
Greece wine regions
About Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands sit on Greece's western seaboard, more Italian than Aegean in their wine identity. Kefalonia carries all three of the region's PDOs: Robola of Kefalonia, a saline limestone-grown white; Mavrodaphne of Kefalonia, a fortified red; and Muscat of Kefalonia, a sweet golden Muscat. PGI Corfu, PGI Lefkada and PGI Zakynthos cover the other major islands, with the native Vertzami of Lefkada and the Verdea wine of Zakynthos as local specialities. The climate is milder and wetter than the Aegean, the soils limestone and karst. Producers like Gentile, Sclavos and the Robola Cooperative on Kefalonia are the names to know.
Greece wine regions
PDOs & PGIs
Loading map...
Terroir & Character
Climate
MediterraneanMaritimeMildHigh rainfallWet winters
Terroir
Limestone screeKarstMarlSteep coastal slopes
Typical Aromas
Lemon zestCrushed stoneGreen pearWild herbsSea sprayMandarin peel
Explore the aroma wheelGrapes of Ionian Islands
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Robola of Kefalonia distinctive?▼
Robola of Kefalonia grows on poor limestone scree (kalcoboron in local dialect) at altitude on Mount Ainos. The vines are typically ungrafted, and the harvest is by hand on terrain too steep for machinery. The wines have cut-glass acidity, lemon zest and a saline mineral spine, often compared to high-altitude Riesling but with a distinct Mediterranean island character. Gentile, Sclavos and the Robola Cooperative are the names to look for.
What other PDOs does Kefalonia have?▼
All three Ionian PDOs sit on Kefalonia. Robola of Kefalonia is the dry white. Mavrodaphne of Kefalonia is the sweet fortified red, sibling to the Patras version. Muscat of Kefalonia is the sweet golden Muscat, made from sun-dried fruit and aged in oak. The three together cover the island's traditional wine identity.
What about the other Ionian Islands?▼
Corfu (PGI Corfu) makes a mix of indigenous and international wines on limestone-rich slopes; the Halikouna sub-zone has some interesting producers. Lefkada is home to the native Vertzami grape, a dark, structured red found almost nowhere else, plus PGI Lefkada whites. Zakynthos has the PGI Verdea of Zakynthos for traditional oxidised whites and modern dry styles.
Is Vertzami a wine worth trying?▼
Yes, if you can find it. Vertzami is Lefkada's native red, deeply pigmented, structured and savoury, with a real sense of place. The bottles are tiny in production but a handful of estates (Lykos, Vakakis-Drazinos) put it on serious wine lists. It tastes nothing like any other Greek red.
Map data: Wines of Greece (ΕΔΟΑΟ, PDO/PGI register) · EU eAmbrosia · Administrative boundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)