Artemis Karamolegos : Santorini Superstar
Artemis Karamolegos is one of the most dynamic wineries on Santorini. Inspired by his grandfather, who started making wine and cultivating vines as a hobby in the 1950s, Artemis founded his winery in 2004, growing it to be the third largest winery by volume on the Aegean island. They own just over 3 hectares of vineyards (some over 100 years old) across Pyrgos, Megalorchori, Exo Gonia, Akrotiri and Fira, and have long term contracts to farm another 5 hectares. They specialize in Assyrtiko, with a range of wines and styles, including numerous single vineyard wines with seriously (150+ years) old vines. The progressive, travelled Artemis, along with talented young winemaker Lefteris Anagnostou, released Santorini’s first orange wine, and are experimenting with their own custom-made cement tanks.
There are more than 20 wineries on the island of Santorini, with vines cultivated there before the Minoan eruption in 1613 BCE, known as the most violent eruption in recent millennia. The volcanic soils are a scrubby mix of basalt, granite, pumice, obsidian and ash, with high levels of silica oxides and metals making the soils acidic / low pH, well suited to amplifying the mineral / marine / salinity of Assyrtiko. More than 40 varieties grow on the island, though not all are cultivated, and most are on their own rootstocks.
"Artemis Karamolegos Winery is one of the key references for Assyrtiko on Santorini. The family's connection to the island stretches back generations, with a small "canava" (underground cellar) established by Artemis Karamolegos's grandfather in 1952, and the modern winery was founded in Exo Gonia in 2003.
Today, the estate works with a network of own-rooted vineyards, many more than a century old and trained in Santorini's traditional kouloura basket system. What distinguishes the winery is its willingness to explore the many faces of Assyrtiko, from classic Santorini bottlings to single-vineyard wines and the island's first skin-contact Assyrtiko, Mystirio.
Three consecutive years of drought, from 2023 through 2025, have dramatically reduced yields across Santorini, placing enormous pressure on the island's old vines. This winery continues to define the conversation around Assyrtiko at a moment when the future of Santorini viticulture faces mounting challenges.” Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
We are proud to represent these special wines in Ontario. Read below for details on current listings, and how to purchase.
34 Ancestral Vines 2024
This comes from very old Assyrtiko vines (some of the oldest on the island), partially native fermented (10% in oak), where it remains for 8 months on lees. It is called 34 because it's been 34 centuries of winemaking on Santorini.
Green veg, lemon verbena, white asparagus, lemon peel streaks across the palate, with ample buzzy stony underlay through the salty, marine finish. Electric. Drinking beautifully now, and with time ahead.
"The Artemis Karamolegos Winery 2024 Santorini Assyrtiko Ancestral Vines 34 shows a more accessible side of Assyrtiko without sacrificing the variety's essential structure. Aromas of pie crust, lemon cream and Chantilly lead to notes of apricot skin, nectarine and stony minerality. A subtle oily note on the finish adds texture and breadth, giving the wine a richer profile than many young Santorini Assyrtikos. Despite this extra weight, the palate remains fresh, angular and complex. The mineral character is more stone-driven than overtly saline, making this a particularly versatile food wine, especially with grilled shrimp and shellfish. Produced in 9,000 bottles from century-old vines rooted in Santorini's volcanic soils, the wine ages on its lees for 12 months. Fruit from five villages (Pyrgos, Megalochori, Exo Gonia, Akrotiri and Fira) is used in the blend. The number 34 references the 34 centuries of winemaking history on Santorini. Drink 2026-2032.” 93 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, June 25, 2026
Appellation : PDO Santorini
Region: Santorini, Greece
Grape(s) : Assyrtiko
Price : $99
Case : 6 pack
Kouloura 2024
Kouloura comes from vines averaging 80 years and blends 90% Assyrtiko and 10% blend of Athiri / Aidani. This was fermented and aged in stainless on lees for seven months.
Lemon, green apple, green fig, white grapefruit sails through the bright palate, lit with marine salinity. Lovely now, and with time ahead.
"The Artemis Karamolegos Winery 2024 Santorini Kouloura offers aromas of elderflower, chamomile, mountain herbs and candied lemon drop framed by a distinctly chalky mineral character reminiscent of a freshly erased classroom chalkboard. Made from 90% Assyrtiko with 10% Athiri and Aidani, the wine is fresh, linear and nicely focused. However, it is less complex than the estate's upper-tier bottlings and feels somewhat lean on the finish, showing less depth and persistence than its 14% alcohol might suggest. Produced in 14,000 bottles from old vines averaging 80 years of age, this is a straightforward and accessible introduction to the Karamolegos style. First released under the "Kouloura" name in 2023 and replacing the entry-level Santorini bottling, the wine takes its identity from the traditional basket-trained vines that have become one of Santorini's most enduring viticultural symbols. (It's a miracle the name wasn't already copyrighted.) Drink 2026-2029.” 91points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Appellation : PDO Santorini
Region: Santorini, Greece
Grape(s) : Assyrtiko
Price : $88
Case : 6 pack
Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.
Cheers,
Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
bernard@lesommelier.com
