you may need a lifetime to experience all that Greece has to offer
The first one-day tour took place on the 27th of August 2018. My six Swiss guests and myself boarded into a brand-new luxury van at 10:00 a.m..
First stop was at the legendary Achaia Clauss winery. The winery’s executive manager Tonia Rapti gave us a warm welcome.
We wandered around this very well preserved château of 19th century listening to old stories of winemaking.
We visited the winery museum, took a glance of the wines sleeping in the absolute quietness and darkness of the cellar, admiring the huge hand-sculptured barrels.
Our wine tasting has been hosted in the villa of Gustav Clauss that opens its gates only for exceptional guests.
We tasted Malagousia- White 2017, Anax – Syrah Red 2010, Gustav Clauss – Mavrodaphne Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 and sweet Mavrodaphne Reserve 1999, accompanied with some delicious finger food.
The tour at Achaia Clauss winery lasted for about three magical hours and mood was already high.
Next stop was at the Rouvali Winery in Aigio, where we had an exciting tasting of six wines conducted by the manager- oenologist of the winery Theodora Rouvali. The winery lies on the slopes of Aigialeia that offers a panoramic and amazing view at the Korinthian Gulf.
The very first wine was Asprolithi -Roditis 2017. We also tasted Mitos- Malagousia 2016, Mitos Gold – Viognier Roditis 2015. The end of this unforgettable tasting was the new wine, Tsigello Mavrodaphne dry 2017 and one experimental vilification for sweet wine from the Kydonitsa variety.
After the tasting, my Swiss guests had also the opportunity to enjoy an early dinner at a seaside fish tavern at the awe-inspiring nearby Lambiri village. The menu, that I personally created, included 3 seafood gourmet dishes and desert, pairing with the corresponding fine wines of Rouvali winery.
It was a wonderful sunset when we arrived back in Patras.
Our 1st tour left us with this feeling… One day is not enough; you may need a lifetime to experience all that Greece has to offer. You shouldn’t miss a minute then!