Key Takeaways
- Greece is famous for its excellent wines, visiting Greek Vineyards one of the top things to experience here.
- Wine production in Greece is embedded in our culture and history and can be traced back to ancient times.
- The diverse landscapes of Greece have many microclimates, meaning the country has a huge variety of different wines.
Our country is famous for its wonderful wines. The unique varieties of vineyards throughout the country stand out for their taste, color, and aroma.
Today, we will talk all about the sweet nectar of the Greek land and discover the top Greek Vineyards to experience!
The morphology of Greece is highly diverse and shows great changes in short distances. This element has contributed to the occurrence of many types of microclimate throughout its range.
Those fluctuate from cold and humid to hot and dry. As a result, Greece can produce a wide variety of wines, each reflecting the area’s microclimate.
Greek wine in ancient times
We must remark that the Greeks were responsible for spreading the vine in Europe in ancient times. That happened because of the intense commercial activities they had developed with the Mediterranean and the east.
In turn, this contributed to the spread of cultivation and vinification. The primary origin of the vine is most likely from the Caucasus region. It is from Armenia where one can witness findings to this day.
Grape seeds have also been found in Toumpa of Fotolivos in Drama dating to the Neolithic era. They have also been found in another excavation near the village of Sitagroi in Drama.
There, the area was irrigated artificially, dating to 3000 BC. The first viticultural area in Greece is considered to be in eastern Macedonia, as early as the period 2800-2200 BC.
In Crete during the period 1750-1450 BC, there was systematic cultivation of vines. Such cultivation is apparent by the existence of one of the oldest presses in the area of Vathipetro. The press dates back to about 2,000 BC. So if you’re a devoted lover of wine, don’t miss the chance to visit the ancient exhibit during your Crete honeymoon!
In Thassos, they had strict rules for the production and marketing of Greek wine to control its name and quality. These rules resulted in the well-known Thassos Wine, with strict regulations at the commercial gates of the island.
In Greece, the wine legislation is in force, defining areas of PDO – Protected Designation of Origin and PGI – Protected Geographical Indication.
The leading Greek wine varieties
Wine tasting and Greek vineyard experiences are a top activity on a romantic getaway to Greece and Italy. Especially if you’re planning to elope in Greece or host a wedding vows renewal ceremony in Greece, you should familiarize yourself with the best Greek wines. In Greece, we should also note that there are two wines with a Traditional Name that concern the resins (those wines that contain resin in a specific way) and the Verdea (white atrium traditional wine of Zakynthos).
The main varieties that participate in the production of verdea are, Skiadopoulos, Pavlos, Robola, Goustolidi, and Augustiatis. Visiting some of these vineyards and trying the local wines is one of the top romantic things to do in Greece. What better way to bond on your first couple’s vacation in Greece?
Gerovasiliou Estate
Vangelis Gerovassiliou has a substantial personal collection of wine items with 2,600 pieces. Those are on display in the museum area of the estate. Subsequently, what’s an equally unique experience for visitors, is the tour of the sculptures of the vineyard. It is a result of the work of contemporary Greek artists.
Depending on the season of the visit, you will admire the changes in the landscape. These changes take place both in the vineyard and the corresponding works of the winery. Moreover, try current and rare old wines of the estate with suitable flavor combinations.
Katogi Averoff
The intense charm of Katogi Averoff winery follows the grandeur of nature. It boasts a balcony overlooking the green slopes of Pindos. The incredible history and wine heritage of Evangelos Averoff are managed today by the third generation of owners.
They combine fine wine with Greek gastronomy. In addition, accommodation in the hotel unit of the winery completes the wine tourism experience. It takes place in an atmosphere of great warmth, and it won’t disappoint.
Read on: Greece Honeymoon Villas: The Best Places to Stay for Your Honeymoon
Kritima Charitatou
In the paternal land of Ioanna and Charitos Charitatos in Lixouri, Kefalonia, the viticultural tradition of the family continues with the cultivation of indigenous varieties of the island.
You will take a unique walk in nature, in orchards, olive groves, and botanical gardens. But, please do not leave without tasting their limited wines that will amaze you with their taste and aroma.
Kyr-Giannis Estate
The vineyards of the Kyr-Giannis Estate extend on both sides of Mount Vermio and will impress you. Of course, it is worth visiting the underground cellar.
There, you will find more than 1,000 barrels of aging wine and learn some of the secrets of wine tasting.
Volcanic Slopes Vineyards
Entering the state-of-the-art winery will leave you in awe. As soon as you step foot in it, you will learn that wine has been stored there since the 18th century. After the private tour of the Santorini vineyard, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a unique tasting experience. It’s a unique activity to include in your Greek bachelor or bachelorette party.
The wine tasting experience exclusively includes the label of the winery and consists of samples from different years of production. There is no doubt that the Volcanic Slopes Vineyards are a crucial stop during your Greek island vacations.
Manousaki Winery
In the paternal house of Theodoros Manousakis, you will tour the courtyard with the herb gardens. Finally, you will find the restaurant with the textiles on the tables on its premises.
There, you will have the opportunity to taste authentic Cretan delicacies. You must also taste the Mediterranean and local varieties of wine that the region a little away from Vatolakko cultivates.
Vineyards in Greece
Savvatiano and Roditis are the two most verifiable varieties that grow in Greece. At the same time, the area of the vineyards from which PDO or PGI wines are produced exceeds 85%.
The vineyards in Greece stretch across just over one million acres, of which areas occupy 19,000 acres with vineyards of non-productive age.
Of the total areas with vineyards, 633,262 acres were cultivated with wine vines and 397,559 acres with raisins.
The wine vines belong to four different categories:
– Destined for the production of wines with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). It uses 145,187 acres (22.9% of the total area of vines)
– The one for the production of wines with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). It uses 396,712 acres (62.6% of the total area of vines)
– For the production of other wines with 68,884 acres (10.9% of the total area of wine vines)
– With dual-purpose grapes (wine and table grapes or wine and raisins). It uses 22,479 acres (3.5% of the total area of wine vines).
Geographical distribution
The most prominent areas with wine vines spread across 101,317 acres in the Peloponnese, followed by Western Greece with 86,617 acres and Crete with 77,503 acres.
Most places for the production of PDO wines are in the Peloponnese with 36,031 acres and PGI wines in Central Greece with 62,023 acres. 76% of the total area with raisins is found in the Peloponnese and Crete.
Minor areas with vineyards are the region of Epirus, with a total area of 7,814 acres. Eastern Macedonia and Thrace follow with 21,133 and western Macedonia with 24,388 acres.
Most farms ranged from 1 to 4.9 acres, while the largest area in total -380,287 acres- was occupied by farms ranging from 10 to 29.9 acres.
Varieties of Greek wine vines
The wine varieties with the largest area in the whole country were Savvatiano with 18,138 holdings and 103,555 acres and Roditis with 28,436 holdings and 90,000 acres.
The location of these two varieties constituted 30.6% of the total area with wine vines. Third in the area of vineyards was Agiorgitiko, with 4,179 farms and 33,654 acres, followed by the variety Liatiko with 14,672 farms and 26,200 acres.
Xinomavro was the most significant wine variety in Central and Western Greece. Savvatiano in Attica and Central Greece, and Agiorgitiko in the Peloponnese. Liatiko in Crete and Assyrtiko in the South Aegean region.
Roditis in Western Greece, the Skiadopoulos variety in the Ionian region Islands, Hamburg Muscat in Thessaly, White Muscat in the North Aegean Region, and Debina in Epirus. Last but not least, the Sauvignon Blanc variety in the region Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Excellent wines are a big reason to visit Greece and Italy on vacation. Whether you’re exploring authentic Northern Greece, on a Greek cruise, or touring the best Greek party islands, wine tasting is one of the top romantic things to do in Greece. Exploring the vast wine production of Greece during your visit to our beautiful country alongside your better half is a no-brainer. Why not start your wedding proposal in Greece with a trip to an idyllic winery? Make your break completely wine-soaked by pairing your Greek vineyard tour with a honeymoon in Cinque Terre.
The best time to visit Greece on your honeymoon is now! What are you waiting for? Let our luxury travel agency take care of all the small details so you can focus on having a fantastic time.
Final Thoughts
Greek vineyards are a sight to behold, and Greek wines offer a rich flavor that will enhance your romantic trip to Greece and upgrade it to a mouthwatering memory.
If you want to read more about Mediterranean wine, you can read our guide to the vineyards in Italy and prepare a trip to the two beautiful countries full of rich flavors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t Greek wine more popular?
Despite centuries of knowledge, Greek wine hasn’t reached the same level of appreciation as French or Italian wines.
There’s a variety of reasons for this. The pine-tasting Restina wine once served to tourists damaged Greece’s reputation for having good quality wines.
But since the 90s, Greek wine producers have worked hard to change their marketing to showcase the country’s finer varieties of wine.
And it has paid off, with Greek wines getting more popular every year.
What is the main alcoholic drink in Greece?
Ouzo is Greece’s national drink, and it’s made from the by-products of winemaking. But don’t worry, you won’t have to substitute your wine or beer at dinner as it’s mostly sipped as an aperitif.
Which Greek island has the best wine tours?
Crete has a long history of wine production dating back to the Minoans. There are over 30 wineries spread across the island, more than enough to quench your thirst during your vacation!
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