The Old Town has quietly become Corfu's wine capital. The wineries are scattered across the island's interior, but the wine bars, dedicated merchants and serious taverna lists are concentrated within a few hundred metres of our apartment. Below: a walking-distance guide to tasting Corfu's indigenous grapes, plus how to go further if you want to visit the producers themselves.
The Four Grapes to Know
Kakotrygis (white)
The headline white. Mineral, bright, slightly salty, drinks well young. The "Albariño moment" of Corfu wine — visitors who try it often start ordering it as their default house white for the rest of the trip.
Petrokoritho (white)
Fuller-bodied than Kakotrygis, with citrus and almond. Holds up to richer dishes — what the savvier wine bars suggest with Pastitsada.
Skopelitiko (red)
The Corfu surprise — a light red, served slightly chilled. Closest comparison is a good Beaujolais. Almost extinct in 1990, now Corfu's most exciting indigenous variety.
Mavrodaphne (sweet)
The dessert wine. Sweet, fortified, port-like. 375ml bottles, small glasses, serious finish.
Walking Distance From the Apartment
Wine bars in the Old Town: The Old Town has at least three serious wine bars within 10 minutes of our apartment. Bring, in the back streets behind the Liston, focuses entirely on Greek wines and stocks 8+ Corfiot bottles by the glass. Cavo on the Liston has a tourist location but a serious list — order their three-glass Corfu flight (€18) for a quick education. A handful of Old Town tavernas now have at least one local wine — ask before ordering the house wine.
The market wine merchants: Three dedicated wine shops at the municipal market sell Corfiot bottles at €12-20 — half restaurant prices, even better value if you've got a kitchen at the apartment. We keep a small bottle of each grape on the kitchen counter; refill from the market on a Saturday morning shop.
Sunset wine on the Spianada: Pick up a bottle from the market, walk five minutes to the Spianada bandstand, watch the light fade over the Old Fortress. The Old Town's most economical wine evening.
An apartment tip
The Old Town's tavernas are now legally required to list whether their wine is local or bulk. The phrase to look for on the menu is "ΠΟΠ Κέρκυρα" or "Indigenous Corfu" — that's PDO-protected Corfiot wine. Anything labelled "house wine" or "chima" without a producer name is bulk wine, fine but generic.
Day Trips to the Wineries
If wine is the reason you're visiting Corfu, eventually you'll want to see the producers. Three are reachable from the Old Town as half-day or full-day trips:
Theotoky Estate — 35 minutes' drive west. Biggest, most polished. Vineyard tour and tasting €15-25 per person. Good first winery visit.
Ambelonas Corfu — 40 minutes' drive west, near Pelekas. Boutique focus on indigenous varieties, tasting room with a view. €30 per person with light food. Combine with an afternoon at Pelekas beach.
Grammenos — 1 hour drive south. Smaller, family operation. The winemaker often pours himself. Specialises in Skopelitiko. Combine with a southern beach day or a Gardiki Castle visit.
Walking + Driving: A Sample Wine Day
9 AM coffee at the apartment. 10 AM drive to Theotoky Estate, vineyard tour, midday tasting. 1 PM lunch at Lakones village (mountain view, half an hour away). 3 PM drive back via Ambelonas for a second tasting — or skip it and head to a beach. 7 PM back in the Old Town. Dinner at one of the wine-bar tavernas to compare what you tasted with what's on their list.
Logistics
All wineries need an appointment. Sundays usually closed. Wine tasting plus driving don't mix — designate a non-drinker, or take the bus to Theotoky (the closest), which is technically possible.
Herbie Car Hire
Free delivery to the apartment. Compact car for Theotoky and Ambelonas; either works for Grammenos. Plan around a designated driver.
Book a carPairings With Old Town Cooking
If you cook in the apartment kitchen, the Corfu wines pair beautifully with what's available locally:
Grilled fish from the market: Kakotrygis.
Greek salad with crusty market bread: Kakotrygis or Petrokoritho.
Pastitsada (Corfu's pasta-with-beef): Petrokoritho.
Lamb or goat: Skopelitiko.
Cheese course or Mandoles (Corfiot caramelised almonds): Mavrodaphne.
For the food side, see our cuisine guide.
Coastal Stays
Our sister property Corfu Beach and Town sits on the north coast and stocks a small Corfu wine selection for guests. If you want to combine wine days with beach days, that base works well.
Further reading: our Old Town walking guide, traditional dishes, and olive oil tasting.