Wine tasting tours from Thessaloniki. Full day private & guided tours for small groups of up to 12 travelers. Ideal day trip from Thessaloniki for wine & gastronomy enthusiasts and nature lovers. For more info on our wine tasting tours please contact us or simply call Michael at +306976888113

Wine dark sea

With only a three words simple phrase, our great poet Homer not only described the dark color of the rough Aegean Sea at Iliad. He also highlighted the significance of both wine and sea to the Greeks. Greece boasts a rich and storied history of winemaking, dating back an astounding 8,500 years.

Ancient Roots

Evidence suggests Greece may be home to the world’s second-oldest wine and the earliest signs of crushed grapes. Civilizations like the Macedonians, Minoans and Mycenaean thrived on wine production and trade, establishing best practices that continue to this day.

Wine & Culture

 In Classical Greece (480-323 BC), wine wasn’t just a beverage; it was woven into the fabric of society and everyday life.. Symposiums, festivals, and social gatherings often featured red wine, and concepts like responsible consumption and designated origins were born.

Popular Greek wines

Greece has a long and rich history of winemaking, dating back thousands of years. Today, the country produces a wide variety of wines, from crisp whites to bold reds. Here are some of the most popular Greek wines:

Xinomavro

 It is the most amazing Greek, red variety that grows mostly in Northern Greece. Grown It    produces fine red wines with great ageing abilities, distinctive style and medium-intensity red color. Xinomavro’s aromas reflects tomato, olive and red fruits scents, with distinctive acidity and sourness, coming from its richness in tannins.

Assyrtiko

This white grape variety is native to the island of Santorini and known for its high acidity, minerals, and citrus flavors. You may enjoy Assyrtiko wines young or aged for several years.

Agiorgitiko

This red grape variety is the most widely planted in Greece. It is grown primarily in the Peloponnese region and produces wines that are medium-bodied with flavors of cherry, plum, and spice.

Moshofilero

This white grape variety also grown in Macedonia and Peloponnese and is known for its floral aromas and flavors of citrus and stone fruits. Moshofilero wines are typically light-bodied and refreshing.

Retsina

This white wine is unique to Greece and flavored with pine resin. Retsina can be an acquired taste, but is a popular choice among Greeks in everyday life.

Mavrotragano

This red grape variety grows on the island of Santorini and known for its high tannins and smoky flavors. Mavrotragano wines often blended with other grape varieties.

These are just a few of the many popular Greek wines. With so many different varieties to choose from, there is sure to be a Greek wine that you will enjoy. Greece’s future in wine is brimming with potential. With a rich history as a guide, a focus on quality and innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, Greek wines are poised to take their rightful place on the global stage. For more info on our wine tasting tours from Thessaloniki, please contact us or simply call Michael at +306976888113

Kir Yianni estate

Kir-Yianni estate is located at Vermion Mountain near the town of Naoussa at an approximate distance of 100 km from Thessaloniki. Almost three decades after planted, the vineyard in Yianakohori village, became Ktima Kir-Yianni. Enjoy the breathtaking views of vineyards nestled on the rolling slopes of mount Vermion, stroll amid Xinomavro vines, taste our wines right in the place where produced, and get familiarized with the Boutari family wine legacy.

Today covering a total surface of 60 hectares, which lie at an altitude of 120 to 280 meters, the highest point of the Naoussa PDO zone, Ktima Kir-Yianni now planted with Xinomavro (50%), Syrah (15%), Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), while the rest of the area is covered with various experimental varieties, all trained in vertical shoot positioning.

The mountainous mass of Vermion protects the vines from the cold winds coming from the north in the winter, and sends down a beneficial cool breeze during the summer, which is usually hot and dry. Featuring a diverse terroir with various soil types, from sandy to clay loam, and parts with different slope and exposure to the sun, Ktima Kir-Yianni divided in 42 different blocks, each of them cultivated separately.

The coexistence of so many different elements in such a limited space constitutes a constant challenge for the wine producer. However, it gives the possibility to create very complex and diverse wines Yiannis Boutaris, a leading figure in the Greek wine industry, founded Kir-Yianni in 1997 when he left the Boutari Wine Group, the family wine company that his grandfather established in 1879.

Our wine tasting tours are flexible so we may also visit and explore hidden gems such as Aristotle’s Academy, Saint Nicolas’s Park, Saint Paul’s Altar at Berea and many more. For more info on our wine tasting tours, please contact us or simply call Michael at +306976888113

Find out more on our premium private & guided Thessaloniki daytrips here. SKG Airport pickups & drop offs also available upon request.

Explore the amazing red wines of Northern Greece at your own pace while escaping the crowds. For more information on our transportation services for small groups please click here