Vine growers to get five-year subsidies

Saving Santorini’s traditional pruning method

TANIA GEORGIOPOULOU

Vine growers on Santorini who choose to maintain the island's traditional vineyards will receive a subsidy of 90 euros per 0.1 hectares.

The money comes from a European Union program of agricultural and environmental measures that is expected to be announced shortly.

The plan is to give the subsidy once a year over a period of five years to growers of the vines that cover 1,500 hectares of the island.

The subsidy is tied to maintenance of the traditional method of pruning vines into a shallow basket-like shape that protects the grapes from the wind.

Santorini producers who wish to participate in the program must have a vineyard of at least 0.05 hectares. They must retain the trees and shrubs that are close to the vineyard and are forbidden to use pesticides or fire.