You’ve probably heard it many times – wine tastes better when it is produced. This is true in the case of Greece, where the simple cuisine, which doesn’t require complicated maneuvers or elaborate preparation, allows the flavors of wine to shine throughout. But if you need more convincing, here are six reasons why you should pick Greece as your next wine tasting destination.
Domaine Skouras
Established in 1986, Domaine Skouras is a well-established winery in the wine-producing region of Nemea, in Peloponnese. With its two wineries, one near the village of Gymno, that focuses on Agiorgitiko grape variety, and the second in Malandreni, Domaine Skouras definitely is worth a visit. With grapes growing in slopes and hills on granular and rocky soil, the varieties cultivated, which includes Agiorgitiko, Moschofilero, Kydonitsa and Roditis, Viognier, Merlot, Chardonnay or Syrah, the estate produces everyday wine as well as a few gems created by unique combinations and intuition.
Domaine Skouras, 10th km Argous – Sternas, Μalandreni, Argos, Greece, +30 27510 23688
Courtesy of Winery Skouras
Domaine Ligas
Located in northern Greece, the region of Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, is known since antiquity to be “the mother of wine, where vines abound”. Owned by Thomas Ligas, who manages the estate with his children Jason and Meli, the ktima (domaine) produces wine from several varieties, including Roditis, Assyrtiko, Kydonitsa for white and Xinomavro, Limniona for red. With a particular focus on natural growth and adopting a limited intervention approach, the estate produces wine where the natural characteristics of the grape are preserved. Make sure to drop by for a visit at the Ligas winery if you are visiting Thessaloniki.
Domaine Ligas, 1st km Giannitsa-Archontiko, Giannitsa–Pella, Greece, +30 23820 24 421
Courtesy of Domaine Ligas – Ktima Ligas
Georga’s Family Winery
Winery
Georga’s Family Winery
Located in Spata, very close to the International Airport of Athens, Georga’s family winery is a small wine producer, known for producing fine wine through organic and biodynamic techniques and practices and low-intervention vinification methods. The winery produces white dry wines from Sabbatiano, the indigenous white variety, as well as from Asytriko and Malagouzia as well as red wine from Syrah and Merlot. If you find yourself in transit at the airport for a couple of hours, why not take advantage of that time to do a wine tour and some wine tasting while discovering this small winery nearby?
Georga’s Family Winery, 6 Riga Feraiou, Spata, Greece, +30 210 66 30 136
Courtesy of Georga’s Family Winery
Domaine Economou
Make sure to visit Winery Economou on your next visit to Crete, especially if you enjoy natural wines. Owner Yiannis Economou, with his impressive resume (an oenology degree from Alba University and work experience in Barolo, Bordeaux and Germany) turned the family’s winery into an incredible company, and put the indigenous Liatiko variety under the spotlight. Located on the Ziros plateau, in the eastern part of Crete, the winery focuses on organic cultivation processes, with emphasis on ungrafted vines between 35 to 70-years of age. As such, production is generally low, but the wines produced are so unique and distinct that they deserve a mention.
Domaine Economou, Ziros, Crete, Greece, +30 6974433986
Courtesy of Domaine Economou
Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm
Mykonos Vioma, located near Ano Mera, in the heart of the island, is a small farm and an organic vineyard in stark contrast to the typical stereotypes of the party island of Mykonos. In this rural setting, the grape varieties cultivated are Assytriko, Athiri, Monemvasia, Malagousia, Agiannitis and Mandilaria, which are grown following organic and biodynamic practices while classical music is diffused through speakers to ensure healthy and vigorous grapes. If you want to find out if all this is worth it, make sure to book a wine tour and you will get your answer.
Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm and Vineyard, Ano Mera, Maou, Mykonos, Greece, +30 22890 71883 & +30 6974 120069
Courtesy of Mykonos’ VIOMA farm
Methymnaeos Winery
Winery
Methymnaeos Winery
Located on the island of Lesvos (Mytilini), the Methymnaeos winery is located near the village of Chidira, in the western part of the island. Belonging to the Lambrou family, the winery focuses on the Chidiriotiko grape variety, a local red grape variety indigenous of Lesvos. Replanted in the estate, which is located in the crater of an extinct volcano, the vines are organically grown on the lava of the volcano, which gives the wines a strong minerality and encourages the organic farming of grapes as the strong copper sulfate and sulfur content offer a natural protection. The first professional winery of the island, Methymnaeos is open to the public so if you are a wine enthusiast, you just know what to do on your next visit to the island.
Methymnaeos Winery, Chidira, Lesvos, Greece, +30 6972 085371
Courtesy of Methymnaeos Winery
