7 Villages by Sigalas at Cinque

Santorini is not just a vineyard.
It is a phenomenon.

The arid, volcanic, wind-exposed land of the island has long been considered one of the most unique wine ecosystems in the world. Within this dramatic landscape, Assyrtiko grows and thrives, producing wines defined by intense minerality, sharp citrus character and electrifying acidity.

It was within this context that Cinque Wine & Deli in Psyrri hosted a special #WineLover Seminar dedicated to exploring the diversity of Santorini’s vineyard through the limited edition collection “7 Villages” by Paris Sigalas.

7 Villages: An Ode to Santorini’s Terroir

The project “7 Villages” was conceived by renowned Santorini winemaker Paris Sigalas with a bold objective: to showcase how terroir differences within the same island can shape distinct expressions of Assyrtiko.

For this limited edition collection, Assyrtiko grapes were vinified separately from seven different villages of Santorini’s PDO zone. Each wine matured for approximately twelve months on its lees, maximizing aromatic depth and structural complexity before being bottled individually.

The result was a rare and educational wine experience — seven wines, same vintage, same grape variety, same winemaker, yet remarkably different in character.

Assyrtiko: A Global Greek Ambassador

Assyrtiko has evolved from a local island variety into one of Greece’s most internationally recognized white grapes. It has gained increasing global attention, appearing on prestigious wine lists worldwide and earning continuous international distinctions.

The variety’s adaptability, combined with Santorini’s volcanic soils, produces wines that express stone, citrus, salinity and tension — elements that define the island’s identity.

The “7 Villages” collection aimed to demonstrate that even within the relatively small vineyard area of approximately 7,000 hectares, micro-differences in altitude, sun exposure and harvest timing can significantly influence the final result in the glass.

A Seminar at Cinque Wine & Deli

Rather than tasting the wines alone, the collection was opened during a dedicated #WineLover Seminar at Cinque Wine & Deli, Agatharchou 15, Psyrri.

Graduates of the #WineLover seminar gathered to share impressions, compare notes and discuss the subtle — and sometimes striking — distinctions among the seven expressions.

What began as curiosity quickly turned into surprise.

The expectation that differences would be minimal proved incorrect. The wines revealed nuanced variations in structure, aromatic profile and mouthfeel, highlighting the precision of terroir-driven winemaking.

Cinque Wine & Deli provided the ideal setting for such a focused tasting — intimate, educational and centered on dialogue. The owners generously hosted both the tasting and the lively wine-loving company that accompanied it.

Understanding Terroir Through Experience

The seminar reinforced an essential truth: terroir is not theory. It is something that must be experienced side by side, glass by glass.

Through the “7 Villages” tasting at Cinque, participants gained a deeper understanding of Santorini’s Assyrtiko and its dynamic complexity.

It was more than a tasting.
It was a lesson in place, precision and perspective.