Ο Samos Municipality is one of the oldest cooperatives in Greece and is among the 10 largest wineries of our country! Samian wine is a key wine ambassador of Greece abroad, with exports all over the world. Today, the Cooperative scheme includes 1.410 natural members.

Founded in 1934 after mobilization of the island's winegrowers. The historical course of the Samos cooperative proved that this "union" of winegrowers was a choice of strategic importance for the preservation of viticulture on the island and the protection of production and income of producers.

The Samos Winery Association collects, vinifies and markets all the wine production of its member producers. It is constantly modernizing and invests in technology and know-how, combining them harmoniously with the tradition of viticulture and winemaking, while it has certifications according to ISO, HACCP & FSC.  

The wines of Samos bring together hundreds of distinctions in international competitions and exhibitions. It is worth noting that the first award was given in 1936, while each year more and more are added to the long line of international honors and distinctions.

The Muscat Wine of Samos has one of the oldest European registered designation of origin (PDO).

Since its establishment until today, EOS Samos has been producing fine wines from SAMOS MOSCHATO  combining the island's long-standing viticultural tradition with modern winemaking methods and technology. In its modern winemaking facilities high quality wines are produced, while recently a special unit for the production of "mild oenological intervention" wines (natural wines)

The average annual production of the Samos Cooperative amounts to an average of 5.5 million liters of wine, with approximately 70% of production being directed towards exports.

EXPORTS

Samos Muscat wine travels to countries such as France, Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Cyprus, Australia, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Finland and China, Hungary, Romania, etc. New markets are added annually to the total of 25 export countries.

HISTORICAL REVIEW

Mythology, history and the characteristic toponym "Ambelos" for one of the two mountain ranges that dominate the island, are elements of the depiction of the vineyard of Samos with its characteristic dry stone terraces and vines shaped into a low cup.

The history of Samian wine dates back to early antiquity, where historical records are interwoven with elements of mythology. Legend has it that the god Dionysus himself taught the Samians how to cultivate vines and how to make wine, in return for their help in defeating the Amazons.

Tradition states that the first person to teach the cultivation of vines to the island's inhabitants was the hero of the Argonauts' Expedition, Agaeos.

Historical references in antiquity about the wines of Samos can be found in Hippocrates, Galen, and Theophrastus, while the biremes "Samaine" transported wine from Samos to various ports of the then existing world in "sharp-bottomed" Samian amphorae.

During the Byzantine era, references are also recorded in the descriptions of the traveling cleric Willibald, who visited Samos in 741 AD during his journey to Jerusalem.

The fortunes of viticulture follow the island's turbulent history and are thus often interrupted by raids, culminating in the almost complete desolation of the place in the 15th century, which resulted in the abandonment of the vineyards, as the remaining inhabitants fled to inaccessible mountainous areas. When a century later Samos was recolonized with a new population from all over Greece, the story of the island's Muscat wines began again.

After 1562, European powers began to take a commercial interest in wine and established Consulates on the island for this purpose.

In 1700, the French traveler Tournefort and in 1787, the German Friesemann recorded a production of "muscat wine" estimated at 3,000 barrels. Since the period of the "Hegemony" but especially at the end of the 19th century, Samos has been supplying the markets of the East and the West with branded wines.

"Church wine" is used by the Orthodox Church for the preparation of the Holy Eucharist, while the Catholic Church grants Samos the privilege of making wine with a certificate from the Catholic Mission.