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I know that when most people think about Greek wine, the 1st thing that springs to mind is retsina. And let’s face it, you either like it or you don’t. There’s so much more to Greek wine than simply adding pine resin.
Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with the earliest evidence of Greek wine dating back around 6,500 years. We therefore shouldn’t be surprised that they can produce a cracking bottle or two. Don’t forget they worshipped Dionysus, the God of Wine. My argument is if you have a Wine God, it’s safe to assume that you know what you’re doing.
There are over 300 grape varieties grown in Greece, many of which have been cultivated since ancient times. Greece’s climate is perfect for growing grapes. Lots of sunshine, low average rainfall, and fertile soils provide an excellent environment for producing high quality wines.
There are 7 wine producing regions in Greece:
- Macedonia,
- Epirus,
- Thessalia,
- Sterea,
- Ellada,
- Peloponnese,
- Aegean Islands,
- Ionian Islands.
We’re going to focus on mainland Greece as I wasn’t allowed to travel to Crete, Santorini, or Rhodes to research this blog! So here, in no particular order, are the best vineyards in Greece.
Gaia Wines
One of the new breed of Greek vineyards is Gaia Wines. They have wineries in the Nemea region of Peloponnese and Santorini. They’ve a reputation for experimenting and have helped put the Agiorgitiko grape back on the map. Founders Yiannis Paraskevopoulos (who has a PhD in Enology) and Leon Karatsalos have also combined local grapes with Syrah to create Gaia S. This heavy red could well become the next big thing in wine.
Over the last few years Gaia has won a number of awards at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Their success shows no signs of stopping as they go from strength to strength.
Tours
Tours of Gaia must be arranged in advance. The winery is only 90 minutes from Athens making it an excellent day trip for anyone exploring the ancient capital. Tours include a walk through the vineyard itself. You’ll also see the winery and cellar before finishing with a wine tasting where you can sample Gaia’s full range.
+30 210 805 5642 or www.gaia-wines.gr. Taste 4 wines for €5 or 8 for €10.
Semeli Wines
Founded in 1979 by civil engineer George Kokotos and his wife. Semeli was one of the first new wave of wine producers to concentrate on producing an excellent, limited release wine. The vineyard can be found in northern Attica at the foothills of Mount Penteli where Dionysus himself taught man to cultivate vine and make wine (what a hero!).
Semeli is different to many of the other new Greek winemakers. They grow cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay grapes in addition to indigenous varieties. A family business, Semeli has received huge acclaim for its Chateau Semeli, a gorgeous red that really is world class.
Tours
Like Gaia, Semeli is only 90 minutes from Athens so you could easily combine the 2 to create an epic Nemea region wine tour. The stunning new building offers the perfect environment in which to taste and learn about Semeli’s wine. If you fancy a short break here, they even have 8 guest suites. Semeli offers a complete tour with only the bottling room off limits.
+30 274 602 0360 or www.semeliwines.gr. Taste 5 wines for €5 or 10 for €10. Lunch can be had for €25.
Katogi Averoff (Katogi & Strofilia SA)
Katogi Averoff began life in the 1950’s, when Evangelos Averoff planted the 1st cabernet sauvignon vines in Greece. It’s since merged with Strofilia SA to create Katogi & Strofilia SA but this dynamic winery continues to break the mould. They’ve implemented a research & development scheme and practically invented wine tourism in Greece.
Tours
Essentially a wine tourism facility, Katogi offers a wine bar, 4 star hotel, and shop. The tour includes an audio-visual history of wine and wine making inspired by Dionysus. You’ll also tour the cellars and finish with a wine tasting. The wines are accompanied by breadsticks and local cheeses to enhance each taste sensation.
+30 265 603 1490 or www.katogi-strofilia.gr. Taste 3 wines for €7.
Domaine Skouras
Since 1986, Domaine Skouras has produced excellent wines with both native and foreign grapes. The winery is an ultra-modern facility, situated amongst vineyards north of Argos. Founder George Skouras was the first wine producer to blend Agiorgitiko with cabernet sauvignon. This method produced some stunning wines and led to a reputation of excellence. As a result, this multi award winning winery is well worth a visit.
Tours
Tastings are held in the stylish new wine bar and lounge. The tour includes discovering how the wine is made and visiting their state-of-the-art wine cellars. There is also a small wine museum on site.
+30 275 102 3688 or www.skouras.gr.
Domaine Papagiannakos
For almost 100 years the Papagiannakos family have been producing fantastic wines just south of Athens in Mesogaia. Located close to the Temple of Artemis at Brauron where Dionysus is said to have spent time lies a beautiful vineyard. Here you’ll find Savatiano, Malagouzia, and Merlot vines growing. The Papagiannakos winery was the 1st in Greece built according to innovative bioclimatic standards.
Tours
Take a special tour of the winery and its cellars before tasting the full range of wines. At the end you’ll also have an opportunity to explore the Wine Shop to purchase your favourites. Advance booking is essential
+30 229 902 5206 or www.papagiannakos.gr.
Know Your Greek Wine Categories
- Onomasia Proelefsis Anoteras Poiotitos (O.P.A.P.): Appellation of Origin of Superior Quality. Marked with a red band.
- Onomasia Proelefsis Eleghomeni (O.P.E.): Controlled Appellation of Origin, usually sweet. Marked with a blue band.
- Topikos Oinos: Similar to Vin de pays
- Epitrapezios Oinos: Standard table wine
- Cava: Aged “reserve” blends (2 years aging for whites & 3 for reds)
- Retsina: The famous Greek wine flavoured with pine resin
Cheers! (Aspro pato)
Whilst the wineries I’ve discussed are different in many ways, they all share one common theme. Their owners are passionate about their work and producing the best wine they can. So next time you’re on the Greek mainland, pay one of them a visit. You may just be surprised.
Next Time
Keep an eye out for the next blog in this series where we’ll take a look at wineries on the Greek islands. In the meantime, why not check out our other Greek posts?
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