Savatiano is Greece's most planted grape variety, and it is is best known for its role in the Retsina wines, although nowadays it is used into making dry wines.

Savatiano's resistance to drought and disease, both issues in the Mediterranean, has made it an obvious choice for the region, and it has been cultivated here for hundreds of years. It is also planted in smaller quantities as a workhorse variety and it's name probably refers to the Greek word for "Sabbath".

Savatiano grapes are typically medium to large in size and pale yellow to white in color. When vinified, the wine may take on varying shades of yellow, usually at the deeper end of the spectrum. Historically, Savatiano has been used as a key ingredient in the production of Retsina, Greece's famous resinous wine. Due to Savatiano's low acidity it is also commonly blended with Roditis and Assyrtiko, but modern viticultural methods have resulted in more complete expressions of Savatiano, and more varietal Savatiano wines are becoming available each vintage.

Despite changing attitudes toward Savatiano, most wines are produced for early consumption and are unlikely to rival Assyrtico.