Attica Wineries

Greeks know a thing or two about viniculture.   Archaeological evidence indicates they’ve been making wine for over 4000 years.   There are actually more than 300 indigenous grape varieties in Greece. The region due east of Athens known as Attika is actually quite prominent in the country’s wine culture.   During your stay in Athens, we invite you to take advantage of your proximity to Attika wineries the slow motion way, by bicycle.

The roads are primarily rural in this agricultural region full of grape vineyards, fig farms and pistachio orchards. The bike route is 45 kilometers (28 miles), primarily flat and very little traffic.   The tour visits three wineries including an organic winery which won Greece’s first award for its bioclimatic system. At these wineries you have the opportunity to taste several different varieties of locally produced wine.

These are a few of the local varieties you will encounter on this bike tour:

• Sabatiano, Attika’s indigenous wine, a white grape that withstands the summer temperatures and produces a wine with an aroma of citrus fruit and flowers.
• Athiri, an ancient white variety with a sweet fruity flavor low in acidity
• Malagousa, a white grape making a full bodied wine with medium acidity with aromas of exotic fruits, citrus, jasmine and mint.
• Roditis, a rosé colored grape producing light white wines with citrus flavors

A special detour is made to Vravrona (a/k/a Brauron), an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of hunting, Artemis, that was a female-only place of worship.   Every four years, the Vravrona festival was held in which ten-year-old Attic girls dressed up as bears and dedicated favorite objects to Artemis who guided them from childhood to adolescence. The small but elegant Temple is inspiring and the museum is definitely worth exploring.

TOUR ITINERARY

Meeting point pick-up and drop-off is at lower side of Syntagma Square (Ermou Street) in central Athens.   See map.

09:00  Pick-up at Syntagma Square for vehicle tranfser to Attika wine region (1 hour transfer)

10:00  to  16:00

• Make a grand bike loop around Athens Airport passing through these Attika towns:  Koropi, Spata, Markopoulo, Artemida (you never encounter the airport)
• Biking to 3 wineries for winetasting of 3 to 4 Attika wines.
• Visit Vravrona archaeology site and museum
• Lunch at local winery in Markopoulo

16:00   Vehicle transfer from Attika wine region to central Athens

17:00 arrive central Athens, Syntagma Square

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• Bike guide
• Vehicle support.   Company vehicle trails riders at a discrete distance.  Vehicle carries spare bike parts, floor pump, your day pack, first aid kit, water and snacks.   You can hop in if you want a rest.   Driver is also a bike mechanic.
• Hybrid bike with helmet, water bottle and handlebar pouch to carry your wallet, cellphone and camera.
• Wine tastings at 3 wineries
• Delicious lunch of Greek specialties at winery
• Entry fee to Vravrona
• Transfers in company vehicle to/from Syntagma Square, central Athens

RIDE INFO

The biking mileage is 45 kilometers (28 miles).    The bike route is mostly flat – the highest climb 161 meters (528 feet).   The ride takes place on mostly rural paved roads except for a very short stretch of dirt road.  There is little traffic except for a very short stretch hugging the sea.