Saint Anna Winery

Saint Anna Winery sits along the Epar.Od. Naxou-Chalkiou road — the provincial route that cuts through Naxos's fertile interior toward the village of Chalki — roughly in the Potamia valley area. Founded in 2016 by Petrakis Emmanuel, a graduate of the American Agricultural School in Thessaloniki, it is one of the few estate wineries on the island where you can taste wines made from grapes grown on the same land you're standing on. The estate takes its name from a small church of Agia Anna on the property, which carries its own archaeological interest and is open to visitors.

With a rating of 4.9 from over 437 Google reviews, Saint Anna punches well above its age. That kind of score, for a winery that has been operating less than a decade, reflects consistent quality in both the wine and the welcome.

What to Expect

The winery produces two main ranges — Kouros and Kori — spanning dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet styles across red, white, and rosé. Bottles range from 500ml to 750ml formats, so it's practical to pick up something for a picnic or a room-temperature evening on your terrace. Notable labels include Kouros White Dry and Sweet, Kouros Red Dry and Sweet, Kouros Rosé Dry, and Kori expressions in white, rosé, and red. The breadth of the lineup means there's a style for every preference, whether you're after a crisp white to pair with fresh seafood or a sweeter red to drink on its own.

Wine tastings are offered on-site, and the winery runs activities and events — check the website or call ahead to confirm what's scheduled during your visit. The small chapel of Agia Anna on the estate is an added point of interest that most visitors don't expect: a working historic chapel in a vineyard setting is unusual even by Cycladic standards.

How to Get There

Saint Anna Winery is located on the main provincial road between Naxos Town (Chora) and Chalki, placing it roughly 10–15 km from the port. By car or scooter, follow signs toward Chalki and Filoti through the Tragaea plateau — the winery is accessible from the same route that takes you past the Byzantine churches and ancient towers of the interior. There is parking on the property.

If you're relying on public transport, the KTEL bus service runs from Naxos Town toward Filoti and Apiranthos and passes through or near the Potamia area. Confirm the stop with the driver, as rural stops can be infrequent. A taxi from Chora takes around 15–20 minutes and is a practical option for a tasting visit if you plan to drink.

Best Time to Visit

The winery is open six days a week from 10:30am to 8:30pm, and on Sundays from 11:00am to 8:30pm. A mid-morning or late-afternoon visit works well — the heat of a July or August midday is less punishing once you're inside a winery, and the drive through the Tragaea in the early evening light is worth the trip on its own. Harvest season in early autumn (September–October) is when the vineyards are most active; visiting then gives you a chance to see the grapes at their peak. Spring visits (April–May) offer a quieter, greener version of the island interior before the summer crowds arrive on the coast.

Tips for Visiting

• Book ahead for tastings and events — call +30 698 992 4945 or email [email protected] before arriving, especially in high season.
• Bring a cooler bag if you plan to buy bottles; the road back to Chora takes 20–30 minutes and summer temperatures are high.
• Allow time for the chapel — the Church of Agia Anna on the estate is a minor archaeological site and worth a few minutes on its own terms.
• Combine with the Tragaea — Chalki, Filoti, and the Venetian Apano Kastro tower are all within a short drive; a half-day loop from Naxos Town is easily built around this winery visit.
• Designated driver — the tasting lineup is generous. If you're driving, pace yourself or split the tasting between two people.
• Check the website for seasonal events — the winery occasionally runs special activities beyond standard tastings.

The Wines: Kouros and Kori

The two ranges are differentiated in style and format. The Kouros line covers the full spectrum from sweet 500ml bottles — accessible, crowd-friendly, and ideal as gifts — to dry 750ml formats that reward more focused attention. The Kori range leans toward drier, more food-friendly styles across white, rosé, and red. Naxos grapes benefit from the island's combination of well-drained schist soils in the interior, long dry summers, and reliable Aegean winds that keep humidity and disease pressure low. The result is wine with natural acidity and concentration that doesn't need heavy intervention in the cellar.

For visitors more familiar with Santorini Assyrtiko or Crete's Vidiano, Naxos wine is a less-known Cycladic chapter worth exploring. Saint Anna is one of the most accessible entry points.