Cooperative of Samos Wine Makers
The Cooperative of Samos Wine Makers, also known as the Union of Vinicultural Cooperatives of Samos, is a group of around 2,200 wine growers on the island of Samos in Greece. Established in 1934, the cooperative is responsible for producing and exporting high-quality wines made from indigenous grape varieties including Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Samos. The cooperative uses traditional winemaking methods combined with modern technology to produce a range of sweet, dry, and fortified wines that have won numerous awards and accolades on the international stage.
The cooperative plays an important role in the economy of Samos, supporting the livelihoods of many local farmers and contributing to the island's tourism industry. Most of the 25 villages belonging to the Samos wine terroirs lie in the northern part of the island in mountainous or semi-mountainous areas endowing grapes with the chance to mature slowly and surely, attaining rich sugar content, indispensable for the creation of the divine sweet muscat wine. In addition to producing wine, the cooperative offers tours and tastings to visitors and has recently inaugurated a Museum of Samos Wine detailing the history and methods used in wine making on the island. The cooperative's commitment to sustainable viticulture and winemaking practices has earned it several certifications, including the ISO 9001:2015 and the ISO 22000:2018.