Gouvia Marina is the largest and best-equipped marina in the Ionian and the practical gateway to the whole sea. Yachts clear in here from Italy and Albania, wintering is common, and the cruising from this one berth reaches Paxos, Antipaxos, Lefkada, Ithaca and the Albanian riviera without ever facing the Aegean’s summer wind.

That last point shapes the season. The Ionian is gentler and greener than the Cyclades, families come here rather than party crowds, and charters run longer and slower. Provisioning follows: fewer very large single deliveries, more considered lists, and a real premium on wines that suit long lunches at anchor rather than a marina front row.

Corfu’s position also makes it the crossing point. It is a few hours from Italy, which means a great many yachts come into Greece here at the start of a season and leave from here at the end. Storing a full season’s cellar on the way in is much simpler than restocking through the islands, and we will plan that as one delivery, orders ship on EU logistics, typically three to four working days.

The Ionian islands make wine that almost nobody has on a list. Robola from Cephalonia, grown on limestone at altitude, is a genuinely fine white; Corfu’s own Kakotrygis is a curiosity worth carrying; and the mainland opposite produces excellent Agiorgitiko. We stock the Greek range alongside the classics, everything openly priced online with a tasting note.