Wineries and vineyards for sale in the Dodecanese Islands

There is one denomination classified as POP (Formerly OPAP and OPE): OPAP RODOS 

OPAP RODOS ΡΌΔΟΣ

It is the largest island of the Dodecanese group and the fourth largest island of Greece in the Aegean Sea. It is also called the Pearl of the Mediterranean. The capital with three ports is also called Rhodes, the second most important city is Lindos. The island lies between the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa and was therefore already important for trade in ancient times. The Phoenicians probably introduced viticulture to the island before the Greeks did. According to Homer, Rhodes took part in the Trojan War. The island was famous for its schools of philosophers, philologists and orators and the city was a centre of navigation, trade and culture. In the 7th century BC the island became an important exporter of wine to the ancient world.

Rhodes was unsuccessfully besieged by Demetrios between 305 and 304 BC, one of the most famous wars of the ancient world. The Rhodians sold the siege machinery for 300 talents and erected the statue of the sun god Helios, one of the seven wonders of the world. The sculptor Charis of Lindos made the 31 metre high bronze figure of the Colossus of Rhodes around 280 BC. It is said to have stood at the entrance to the port of Mandraki, ships passed between its legs but an earthquake destroyed the statue after only 66 years in 226 BC.

Due to the mild climate, with only spring and summer and 300 days of sunshine a year, Rhodes is suitable for the cultivation of vines. During the winter months it rains and the summer also offers cooling winds from the north. The vineyards cover some 1,200 ha of vineyards, the oldest of which are on Mount Atavyros. Also here the traditional method similar to that of Kouloura in Santorini is used.

TYPES OF GRAPES

There are three appellations classified as POP, predominantly in the south, the red wine Rodos Red is made from the Amorgiano (Mandilaria) variety and predominantly in the north, the white wine Rodos White is also made from the Athiri Aspro variety. Both are produced dry, semi-dry and sweet. Rodos Muscat sweet dessert wine is produced from the pure Moschato Aspro (white muscat) variety. It is produced as a natural sweet wine (fortified) and as a naturally sweet wine. If the grapes come from old, low-yielding vineyards, the Grand Cru designation may be used on the label. Athiri Aspro bottle-fermented sparkling wine is also produced. The Caïr cooperative is a major producer in the area, other important producers are Emery wines and Tsantali.