The UWC Samos is one of the oldest cooperatives in Greece and it is included in one of the biggest wineries nationally! Samos wine is one of the basic “Greek wine ambassadors” abroad, with exports all over the world. Nowadays, 2200 producers participate in the Cooperative as members.
It was founded in 1934 after actions taken by the vine growers of the island. The history of the Samos Cooperative through time proves that the alliance of the vine growers was a strategically important move for the preservation of viticulture and the protection of the producers’ income.
The UWC Samos receives the grapes, produces the wine and trades almost the entire production of the island. In search of constant modernization, it invests in technology, in harmonious combination with traditional viticulture and winemaking and in compliance with ISO and HACCP certifications.
The wines of Samos have obtained hundreds of distinctions in international competitions and fairs. It is also worth noting, that the first award was received in 1937, while every year additions were made on the long list of international honorary awards and distinctions.
The wine from Samos Muscat holds one of the oldest origin-controlled appellations in Europe (Protected Designation of Origin Samos).
Since its founding, the UWC Samos receives the grapes and produces exquisite wines from WHITE MUSCAT in two modern wineries in Malagari (the capital of the island) and Karlovassi (the second largest town) with a total capacity of 20.000 tons.
The average annual production is approximately 5.000.000 litters while exports constitute 70% of the production.
The Samos Muscat wine travels to various countries such as France, Canada, U.S.A., United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Cyprus, Australia, Denmark, Czech, Finland, China, Hungary, Romania, and more. New markets are added on every year to the current total of 25 export countries.
In March 2016, the strategic alliance of UWC Samos with “Greek Wine Cellars” commenced, a move that will enhance the commercial development of the award-winning Samos wine in domestic and international markets.
The UWC Samos is staffed by employees in administration, winemaking, bottling, sales, marketing and communication.
CENTURY – OLD HISTORY
Mythology, history and the characteristic name “Ampelos” (Vine) for one of the two mountain ranges that dominate the island, are key words when one thinks about the Samos vineyard with the typical dry-stone terraces and the cup-shaped vines.
The history of Samos wine dates back to early antiquity, the historical record includes elements of mythology also. Legend has it that the god Dionysus himself taught the Samians all about vine growing and winemaking in order to thank them for the help they provided to defeat the Amazons.
According to tradition, the first person to teach vine growing to the inhabitants of the island was the hero of the Argonauts, Agkaios.
We find historical references in antiquity for the wines of Samos in Hippocrates, Galenos, Theophrastus, while the military ships “Samena” transported wine from Samos to various ports of the world in Samian amphorae with a pointed base.
During the Byzantine period, references are also made in the descriptions of the traveller clergyman Willibald who visited Samos in 741 B.C. during his trip to Jerusalem.
The fate of viticulture follows the turbulent history of the island and is often interrupted by raids, culminating in the almost complete desolation of the land during the 15th century, resulting in the abandonment of vineyards, as natives’ resort to inaccessible mountain areas where they live in hiding. A century later, Samos is recolonized with new population from all parts of Greece, and that is when the history of the island’s Muscat wines begins again.
During the Ottoman occupation and after 1562, European forces seem to be commercially interested in the wine and for this purpose Consulates are founded on the island.