In ancient times, Corfu was considered to be a first-class wine-producing region, even though climate and soil conditions were not particularly favourable to a large output. The coins of the time depicted vineyards, vines, wine-goblets, wine-vessels, and portraits of Bacchus and Silenius. Xenophontas and Homer both praised the wine of the Phaiacians in their works. Venetian documents of the 16th century refer to the wine tax as the most important source of revenue. A century later, however, the Venetians began the limitation of the island's wine-producing resources, making the cultivation of olives compulsory. With the passage of time the number of vineyards fell continuously, bringing us to the present figure of 7% of all agricultural activity on the island. In spite of this, the Corfiots drink a lot of wine, usually made by themselves. The best wine, in theory, comes from hillsides with a dry soil, such as the region around Pagoi, Liapades, Sinarades, Pentati; and of equal importance with the soil is the knowledge and the experience of the producer.

Kakotrigis
The name derives from the tough stems of the grape clusters, which make gathering difficult. This variety produces a white wine, with a light, enduring bouquet. It is made into wine all over Corfu, without the usual blending. Kakotrigis is the historic wine offered by King Alcinous to Odysseus, the wine praised by Xenophon, the one that Athenaeus in the Deipnosophistae says is pleasant when it ages, while in Xenophon's Greek it is stated that in 373 BC. the Spartan general Mnasippus landed at Corfu and his soldiers plundered “…the rural areas, which were beautifully cultivated and planted, as well as the magnificent mansions and wine cellars built on the farms, so much so that it was said that his soldiers to the point of not accepting to drink anything but aromatic wine". Stylianos Vlassopoulos, in the book "Statistical and Historical News about Corfu", from the beginning of the 19th century, mentions about wine that about 120,000 barrels were produced a year.

Moschato
Cultivated with particular success in the region of Strinilas on Pantocrator. It yields a particularly white wine with explosive aromas, strong presence of the primary aroma of the variety that evokes peach, tropical fruits and rose, flavor concentration and satisfactory acidity. The use of the barrel condenses these... elixirs even more, while at the same time giving them honeyed, dry fruits and jammy notes.

Petrokoritho
A variety that loves stony soils and according to one version came from the Corinthians who were the first ancient colonists who inhabited the island in 735 BC. It yields white and red wine of excellent quality. Cultivated mainly in the region of Mesis (Sinarades-Kastellani-Kouramades).


Skopelitiko
"High on the nightingale hills, planted vine by vine, the grape is red, blood-like the wine". Thus it is described in a local song from the village of Ano Garouna, where this variety of grape prevails. It is also known as “Mavro” (black) but its origin has not been identified.

Fraoula (Strawberry)
A table grape which, even though it does not belong to the usual wine-producing varieties, is in fact used to make wine in many households. Its characteristic is the enormous resistance to all diseases. The grape is medium to small in size with round dense red pods, with a characteristic strawberry aroma. The wine it produces has an intense cherry color and a pleasantly fruity taste.


Other varieties which complete the wine map of Corfu are the "rozaki", the "martzavi", the "pheidia", the "kokkinomousitsa:, the "xipleko", the "Arkadino", the "Koryianitis", the "Afioni", the "Agoumastos", the "alepoura" and the "Pinpiniola" - grapes which are usually mixed during production with those mentioned above.

Today, the following wineries are active in Corfu:
Theotoki Estate
Grammenos Family
Gouli Winery
Nikolouzou Winery
Livadiotis Winery
Pontiglio Winery
Borovino Winery
Ambelonas Winery