“Along with dozens of other wine tourism regions of the planet and our country, the visiting wineries, members of the “Winemakers of Northern Greece” association, participate in the celebration of the “World Wine Tourism Day” which traditionally takes place on the second Sunday of November. A wonderful proposal to enjoy the beauty of our countryside and vineyards this season, in the autumn colors and to visit places where some of the most popular wines of our country are made” is pointed out in today’s announcement of the Union, which invites those interested to create their own wine route, choosing between the eight different “Wine Routes of Northern Greece”, choosing to visit one or more of the 26 participating wineries.

“Wine tourism is a special excursion proposal that combines a tour of wine-growing regions, the villages and towns that surround them, getting to know the local culture and gastronomy and of course the incomparable experience offered by a visit to a winery, with a guided tour throughout the creative wine production line, from the vine to the moment of tasting. At the tastings at the wineries, you are looking for the opportunity to learn about the course of the 2024 vintage, an extremely diverse vintage that is expected to produce wines of exceptional quality character,” the announcement states, clarifying that entry to the wineries is free. The program also includes workshops, lectures, masterclasses, book presentations and hiking in vineyards, painting, events for a good cause, as well as a photography competition.

Common opening hours are 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, except for occasional exceptions, which are shown in the schedule below:

Route of the Wine of the gods of Olympus

– Katsaros estate in Krania Olympos

Hours 12:00-17:00

Wine Route of Epirus

-Zoinos Winery in Zitsa, Ioannina

– Katogi Averof in Metsovo

Hours 10:00-16:00 – Visit by reservation

Wine Route of the Lakes

-Kamkouti Vineyard in Velvedo Kozani

-Voyatzi Estate in Velvedo, Kozani

-Stergio Estate in Metamorfosi, Kastoria

– Alpha Estate in Amyntaion, Florina

– Kyr-Yiannis Estate in Agios Panteleimon Amyntaios, in Florina

Pella-Goumenissa Wine Route

-Zin Ideos Estate in Loutraki Almopia Pella: Hours 10:00-15:00

-3 Generations – Thomaidis Family in Piperia, Aridaia Pella

– Tito’s Small Estate at Two Rivers, Goumenissa Kilkis

Naoussa Wine Route

-Vaeni Naoussa in the Diocese of Imathia

-Argatia in Rodochori Imathia

-Visit by appointment

– Kyr-Yiannis estate in Gianakochori Imathia

-Fundi estate in Nea Strandza, Imathia

Thessaloniki Wine Route

-Kechris Winery in Kalochori

– Florian Estate in Trilofos

– Gerovasiliou Estate in Epanomi

Halkidiki Wine Route

-Akrathos Newlands Winery in Megali Panagia, in mountainous Halkidiki

Route of the Wine of Dionysus

-Estate Biblia Chora in Kokkinochori Kavala

-Vineyards in Folia Kavala

-Nico Lazaridi at the Drama Market

– Estate of Costas Lazaridis in Adriani, Drama

– Pavlidis Estate in Kokkinogeia, Drama

-Oenops Wines in Prosotsani, Drama

– The Apostoli Estate in Serres Vineyards

Opening hours 11:00-18:00

Parallel events

-Ktima Katsaros (tel. 2410 536811, 24950 41666): Possibility of tasting old harvests.

– Vogiatzi Estate (tel. 2464 032283): 12:00 Wine and chocolate workshop with Giorgos Zarzonis. Participants will have the opportunity to make their own taste of fresh chocolate and pair it with the wines of the winery. Participation 15 euros/person. A reservation is required for participation (info@ ktimavoyatzi.gr).

-Alfa Estate (t. 2386020111): Old vintages available for sale and tasting.

– Gerovasilei Estate (tel. 2392044567): Vine Hiking at Gerovasilei Estate. 11.00: Hike 3 km. in the vineyard and 13.00: Talk “Hiking in nature: Freedom-Discovery-Life” with guest speaker Dimitris Despiniadis, Mountain Leader, Wilderness First Responder, “Leave no Trace” Trainer.

-Akrathos Newlands Winery (tel. 2372 771506, 6980545466): Vertical tasting of the Philosopher wine with the 2019, 2018 and 2017 vintages.

-Ktima Viblia Chora (tel. 2592 044974): Presentation of the book by Kostas Krommidas “Wine from your lips” (reservation required – limited number of participants). The day will be surrounded by music with a DJ.

-Nico Lazaridi (tel. 2521 082049): Standing tasting with a limited number of people, upon reservation.

-Estate Pavlidis (tel. 2521 058300): 12:00 – 13:30 Masterclass on the topic: “White Wines and Aging: Vertical Testing with the Estate’s Oenologist”. The number of seats is limited.

-Ktima t’Apostolis (tel. 694 657 9507): The Winery Ktima t’Apostolis, in collaboration with the “Protagonists” group, is preparing a day full of experiences, dedicated both to wine and to a charitable cause, supporting the associations ” Flame’ and ‘Shine’, which provide care to children with neoplastic diseases and their families. The day’s program includes: free wine tasting with accompaniments, guided tours of the vineyard, painting for children and adults and live Blues & Jazz music by the Jam Jive Trio

Photo Contest

As part of the day, there will also be a thematic photo competition entitled “The creation of wine” and posting photos from the “World Wine Tourism Day” on 10/11/24, only from the wineries of the “Winemakers of Northern Greece” association. The first five winners will receive as a prize three bottles of wines from the “Winemakers of Northern Greece” association. Those interested are invited to post their photos related to the topic “The creation of wine”, including the hashtag #winetourism24 in the post. The competition committee will then search for photos with the hashtag #winetourism24 and evaluate them. Results will be shared on Wednesday 11/13/24. For more information, interested parties can visit the website www. winemakersofnorthgreece. Gr