Attica Wines & Wonders

Thirty-five kilometers from central Athens is Attica, a region simply bursting with vineyards and small ambitious winemakers. Attica’s low plain is surrounded by mountains which block strong winds. Moderate winds, coupled with an abundance of sunlight, means the humidity is low and frost non-existent. Fierce weather like hail, snow and storms are rare. These blessed climatic conditions are why Attica’s two dozen or so wineries produce some of Greece’s most acclaimed wines, especially the white Savatiano and Roditis, and increasingly, organic wines.

The Attica wine tasting experience is designed for the wine aficionado. You do not have to be a wine connoisseur to participate. The wine tastings are geared towards the novice as well as the budding viticulturist. Tours for oenologists and wine experts available on request. The tour visits four wineries with presentations at each winery of 4-5 wines by a local wine expert. The Anastasia Fragou Winery in Spata, the Pappagiannakos Winery and the Panagiotou Winery in Markopoulo and Domaine Vassiliou in Koropi. Each of these wine owners belong to the 38-member Attikan Vineyards Wine Producers Association (ENNOA).

In between the wine stops are a marvelous mixture of local wonders, starting with the amazing two million old Koutouki Cave, a vertical cave with a 38.5 meter entry shaft. The cave came to light accidentally when a farmer’s sheep fell down a hole in the ground.

Vorres Museum is spread over 80 acres, housing 6000 pieces, covering 4000 years of Greek history: ancient Greek statuary, Greek folk art from past centuries and contemporary Greek art. With the turn of a doorknob you pass from historic folk art held in an 18th century villa to the museum’s stark white wings of modern art. It’s a startling transition.

At Vravrona is the Sanctuary of Artemis located in an eco wetlands area. Every four years Athenian maidens of marriageable age walked in a processional from the Acropolis in Athens to Vravrona (24.50 km) as part of the Bear Cult (“Arkteia”). This was the only ritual of its kind in the Athens region.

The Panagia Varabás is an adorable teeny tiny church sitting in the midst of grape fields. It dates from the 12th century which places it in the Byzantine era. When the Christian rulers wiped out paganism, the veneration of a virgin goddess was replaced by the Virgin Mary which translates as Panagia in Greek.

ITINERARY

Tour starts at 09:00 with a meeting point at Syntagma Square in central Athens for transfer to Attika. See map on right. Return to Athens by 19:00 to Syntagma Square.

9:00 departure from Syntagma Square in company vehicle
Tour the Koutouki Cave with the cave’s official guide. Walk amidst awesome stalactites and stalagmites on a specially made walkway.
Tour Vorres Museum, a precious folk museum and the largest collection in the world of contemporary Greek artists. (museum is subject to availability)
Wine tasting at Anastasia Fragou Winery established 1986, and focuses on Savatiano wines, bottling 40,000 wines a year
At Vravrona tour the 6th century BC Temple of Artemis and the museum with fine exhibits.
Lunch in Porto Rafti at a sea side taverna with a delicious Greek menu of local delicacies
Wine tasting at Papagiannakos Winery, from 1919, third generation family continues the tradition, distinguished as the first bioclimatic winery in Greece
Visit the precious little Panagia Varabás Church to see fragments in the dome of four 12-13th century frescoes depicting prophets
Wine tasting at the Panagiotou Winery located directly in the town of Markopoulo, family producers since 1860, exclusive 5000 bottles annually
Wine tasting at Domaine Vasiliou Winery, a third third generation of family wine producers, since 1905, vineyard holdings of 250 acres
18:00 transfer to Athens, arrive approximately 18:45