TASTING NATURAL WINE IN A CANDLELIT CELLAR ON THE ISLAND OF LEFKADA.
Anyone who has followed me for a while, will know I love hunting out unique places to sample wine when I’m travelling. Of course, I’m always “English wine first” but, I’m more than happy to jump at a chance to sip some wine in a warmer climate. Aren’t we all!
On a warm afternoon in Lefkada, I found myself winding up into the island’s mountainous interior, leaving the beaches behind for something altogether more unexpected: a wine tasting in a candlelit cellar, deep in the hills of Platystoma.
This isn’t the Lefkada most people write home about. No beach bars, no infinity pools – just stone-built houses, tangled vines, and the hum of bees. And tucked away in the centre of this sleepy village at 500 metres above sea level is Siflogo Winery, one of the most quietly fascinating wine producers I’ve ever visited.
A Hobby Turned Passion Project
Originally started by the family as a hobby, Siflogo is now in the hands of Vasilis, the founders’ son. With a degree in chemical engineering and a restless curiosity, he’s brought both science and experimentation into the winemaking process.
It’s rare to meet someone so animated by their craft. Vasilis talks about tannins and fermentation temperatures like other people talk about football. He’s young, intelligent, and infectiously passionate – but what’s most interesting is just how unique the wine is, as a result of his expert tinkering.
They produce just 13,000 bottles a year, all organic, using natural methods both in the vineyard and the cellar. Even the corks are organic. There’s no marketing team, no Instagram-ready tasting room – just a family, a vineyard, and a deep commitment to doing things their way.
Tasting in an Underground Cellar (with Candles, Obviously)
Siflogo is a place which perfectly demonstrates that sometimes subtlety is better. We arrived for a low-key tasting (€10 per person) and were welcomed into the underground cellar, a cool, hushed space where barrels line the walls and candles flicker in the shadows. It felt less like a formal tasting, more like visiting a private cellar.
This cellar is one of the most atmospheric I’ve visited – carved into the hillside, naturally cool, and filled with character. Old bottles lie quietly under a coat of dust, ready to be opened on special occasions. It’s intimate and charming, and the kind of place that makes you forget about time.
The Wines: Wild, Honest, and Totally Unfiltered
We tasted six generous pours, each one telling its own story. There’s no filler here – just the good stuff.
- Brousco, a dry red, was bold but elegant, with a freshness that surprised me. Think juicy cherry and – oddly but wonderfully – macadamia nuts on the finish. We bought a bottle of this to enjoy on our terrace later.
- The rosé, made from pink-skinned grapes, was delicate, floral, and a little bit cheeky.
- An orange wine, unfiltered and slightly hazy, tasted like a Greek summer distilled – rich, textured, and wild at heart.
- The white, made from the rare Chlori grape, was youthful and clean, almost saline, like a sea breeze caught in a bottle.
These are natural wines, made with minimal sulphates and no unnecessary intervention. Vasilis lets the grapes do the talking, and it shows. Each glass had a sense of place – sun, soil, and story.
Why You Should Go (and Why You Can’t Just Buy the Bottle)
Siflogo does export a small amount of their wine, but trust me: you’ll want to come here. Because this isn’t just about what’s in the glass – it’s about where you drink it, and who you’re drinking it with.
To taste wine in the village it’s grown, in a cellar built by hand, with the family who made it standing beside you – it’s something you can’t recreate back home. It’s personal, grounding, and just a little bit magical.
You’ll need to book in advance – this is a working winery, not a polished tourist attraction – but it’s well worth the effort.
You can find the contact details for Siflogo here.
Where to next?
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Looking for a gift for yourself or a wine lover in your life? Here are a few of my favourite English Wine things.
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