Though just a 1.5 hour, high speed boat ride away from Santorini, the island of Paros could not be more different. The island is vibrantly lush in comparison to the hardscrabble terroir of Santorini. The Moraitis Winery can be found just up the road from the picturesque old fishing port of Naussa. Manolis Moraitis is an affable man whose grandfather started this winery in 1910.
Though grapes are grown on many parts of the island, his is one of only two wineries, the other being the coop. There are 1200 hectares of vineyards on the island and Manolis owns 35 and is planting more, producing 45,000 cases of wine each year from his own and purchased grapes. The estate vineyards are certified Organic. He is justly proud of the tasteful remodeling he has made of the winery and tasting room. Here, the reds are equally as compelling as the white wines.
