Nestled in the heart of Tinos island, Vaptistis Winery embodies the island’s rich viticultural heritage and a forward-looking dedication to reviving ancient Greek grape varieties. Founded in 2012 by a family with deep roots in the island’s soil, the winery began its journey by restoring an old vineyard around a traditional pigeon house. There, Vaptistis cultivates native varieties such as Assyrtiko, Monemvasia, Mavrotragano, and Mavrothiriko, bringing the essence of Greece’s terroir into every bottle. Their first harvest in 2016, under the expert guidance of renowned winemaker John Valabous at the Vassaltis winery, produced two standout labels: Vaptistis White and Vaptistis Red. This was just the beginning. By 2018, Vaptistis had established its own boutique winery in the village of Steni, allowing them to expand production and introduce three more labels: Antara, a single-variety Assyrtiko, the rosé Altana from Mavrothiriko, and Mastroyianni, a sweet wine crafted from sun-dried Roditis grapes. In keeping with their commitment to preserving and reviving Tinos’ local varieties, Vaptistis introduced their Potamisi white in 2020 and a single-varietal Mavrotragano red. The journey continued with the creation of a new wine tourism space in 2022, providing visitors with an immersive experience of the beauty and craftsmanship of Tinos’ winemaking tradition. With every step forward, Vaptistis remains deeply rooted in its origins. In 2023, the planting of a new Assyrtiko vineyard in Kakia Skala marked another milestone, accompanied by the release of the Glyko label and the launch of their tsipouro, Rakizio, in collaboration with the Syros-based Makryonitis distillery. Looking ahead, the winery continues to honor local traditions by reviving the red variety Koumariano in 2024. Driven by passion and respect for the land, Vaptistis Winery is firmly committed to showcasing the potential of Greek grape varieties on the world stage.
Vaptistis Winery invites wine enthusiasts into a journey through Tinos’ terroir
