Even the wonderful island of Patmos is doing everything it can to return to ancient crafts to preserve its origins and give the world a piece of Greece that was almost forgotten. Patainos is proof of this, a winery that for some years has been trying to bring an abandoned resource back to life to pursue progress and modernity.

Patmos is considered the northernmost island of the Dodecanese and offers almost 300 days of sunshine a year with a dry and windy climate. With about 3,000 permanent inhabitants, during the summer it is now taken by storm by tourists looking for new and little-known destinations. Despite its strong expansion in the field of tourism, it still manages to maintain a protected nature and culture, perhaps because reaching it is not exactly so convenient and immediate, but we think above all because it is frequented by mature people who still seek traditional and true flavors and sensations rather than nightlife.

Patmos was once an island where wine had a high value, viticulture was flourishing and represented a strong income for the islanders. Today there are few plots of land dedicated to this art that until 80 years ago, think about it, nectar was produced exported mainly to Egypt and the press was found in the houses of the farmers.

Endemic varieties such as the white Muscat of Alexandria or the red Fokiano are today rarities in Patmos as the vineyards still active that produce original grapes are very few.

Patainos Terre dell’Apocalypse is a project that was born to develop and rehabilitate the viticulture of the island of legendary vines with the cooperation of small winemakers who want to preserve the national natural heritage. In collaboration with the Greek association Peliti, which has been working to safeguard agricultural biodiversity throughout Greece since 1995, and thanks to the support of the Human Earth Foundation since 2015, a work and promotion space has been opened for the conservation of native seeds in order to give new life to wine.

The Ensembe Foundation has also helped create gardening workshops in schools with the aim of educating new generations on composting techniques, vermicomposting and biodynamic and permaculture methods, always respecting nature and its biodiversity.

Patoinos has rebuilt a vineyard in two hectares, two thirds of which are dedicated to white grapes and in particular to Assyrtiko, while a third is dedicated to strictly native red grapes with the aim of producing regional wines using ancient vines. Mechanization is minimal, everything is still tried to be done as in the past, and so much effort leads to producing about 7,000 bottles a year. The winery is located in the north of the island in the Vagia area while the vineyard is in the south in the town of Petra in a green valley on the edge of the gulf so as to receive all the benefits of the sea.

The winery in its estate, hosts the cellar for tastings where you can taste the wines of the domain of the Apocalypse accompanied by local products such as cheese, bread or vegetables, a room to welcome visitors, an ancient press, the seed bank and an oil mill that allows locals to return to the cultivation of olive trees and produce precious local oil for personal needs and a small part for sale.

There are three labels, the Patainos Assyrtico, a clear white with a straw color. The scent is intense and mineral while the aromas of lemon, sage, pear and peach inebriate the hints of stone, iodine and bread crust. In the mouth it is sparkling and fresh with a salty and fruity finish.

The Patainos Mavrothiriko, the second label, is an intense garnet color. It opens with fruity, spicy and floral hints of rose, blueberry, rosemary and orange. As soon as it is spread on the palate it transforms with aromas of black and green pepper. It is balanced with a good minerality and fragrances of red fruits with iodine sensations thanks to its vinification on the seashore.

The last proposal is the Orange Assyrtyco. A clear wine with a dark orange color. The aroma is intense and sweet with fragrances of citrus, pepper, spices, leather, tobacco and caramelized orange. On the palate it is full-bodied, the acidity and fat balance each other to finish with a velvety but bitter and salty hint with a perfect flavor to be accompanied with food but also alone.

If during your holidays in Greece 2025 you will be in Patmos, do not miss this delicious opportunity, go and visit the company and stop to taste its precious nectar.

Patoinos – Terre de l’Apocalypse Vagia Patmos

email: info@patainos.ch

telephone + 30 6945814398