Vine growers to get five-year subsidies
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.
