Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens has unveiled Assyrtiko Cellar, a new programme dedicated entirely to Greece’s most famous grape variety.
Created by Head Sommelier and Wine Director Evangelos Psofidis, the cellar brings together more than 120 labels tracing the evolution of Assyrtiko across Greece, from Santorini, Tinos, Naxos and Paros to Crete, Central and Northern Greece and the Peloponnese.
Long associated with the volcanic vineyards of Santorini, Assyrtiko has become one of the defining wines of the Mediterranean, prized for its mineral structure, vibrant acidity and remarkable ageing potential.
At Hotel Grande Bretagne, the programme explores the grape far beyond its island origins, examining how Assyrtiko evolves across different terroirs, vintages and winemaking philosophies. Rare vintages, large-format bottles and vertical tastings sit alongside contemporary expressions from emerging Greek producers, creating a living reference point for the variety itself. The collection includes benchmark producers and emblematic labels ranging from Sigalas’s Kavalieros to rare vintages such as a 1974 Argyros Vinsanto.
QR-integrated wine lists allow visitors to trace each bottle back to its producer and region, extending the experience beyond the glass itself. The programme also extends beyond the cellar through dinners, thematic evenings, small-scale festivals and winemaker presentations designed to deepen dialogue between producers, makers and guests discovering the category for the first time.
“The decision to dedicate an entire cellar to a single Greek grape is a conscious one,” says Psofidis. “Especially outside its natural zone, here in the heart of Athens. We wanted to create a true reference point for Assyrtiko.”
