I’ll say it again: Milos is a dream. And while stunning rock formations and shades of blue are its main thing, they also have a few grapevines.
Kostantakis Cave Winery is the only winery on the island, and it’s relatively new. But this is Greece, so of course, Milos already had plantings, but the majority were neglected until Kostas Mallis decided to revive his family’s vines.
Assyrtiko, Monemvasia, Malagousia, Mavrotragano, Aidani, Mandilaria, Savatiano and Roditis. Cycladic. There was some Muscat planted in the mix as well.
It all started with Kleftiko Beach.
I get it into my head that I need to go and see something, then allow the rest to fall into place. So Kleftiko led me to Milos. Milos led me to Kostantakis Cave Winery. The only winery on the island is why I booked a place in Pollonia, a cozy seaside village where I now dream of spending an extended period. You must visit.
Milos was the first stop on my recent ravaging of Greek wines. The WSET D3 gave me a solid foundation, but I quickly realized that most of the varieties were utterly Greek to me. Add in all the spelling variations, and it’s enough to make your brain break down.
Everything at Kostantakis is a blend except for their newest project, an unfiltered, amphora-fermented Roditis using native yeast with 6-months on the lees. For just €15, you can sample everything they produce: six still wines, one retsina and two Rakis, a grape-based pomace brandy.
The Spillia Assyrtiko and Monemvasia blend was quite lovely, my notes reading, “White peaches, yellow peaches, canned peaches and peach rings. Lemons with zany honey and apricots. Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘Thank You.'”
Checkmate.
They’ve got some work to do, but Kostantakis is on the right track. Unfortunately, you can’t really find it off the island because the locals buy it up, and production is limited. So you’ll just have to visit.
It’s an easy, Moon-flower dappled walk from anywhere in Pollonia. Big shout-out to George, who led me through the tasting and taught me a lot. Their staff is local and lovely. We haven’t even gotten to the fact that it’s in a cave! The entire facility is a natural cave-made winery. And caves are always fun.
You don’t need an appointment in the summer, just show up between 17:00 – 21:00 and enjoy!
Big thanks to Anastasia from Heliotropio Studios & Apartments, who, upon arrival, gifted me with a little bottle of I’m not sure what. It paired beautifully with swimming in the sea.
I only gave myself two nights in Milos and could have done a week. I would go there over Santorini any day if your primary purpose is not wine-related. No slights toward Kostantakis; it’s just that Santorini is the Cycladic epicenter of wine, and a lot is happening on that rugged rock right now.
But that’s for another story.
Try more Malagousia!
Also, enjoy some reels from Milos!
