Nemea Wine Tasting From Nafplio: Where Viticulture Meets Mythology

Nemea, one of Greece's most important wine areas and a site rich in both history and myth, is just one hour's drive from the little coastal town of Nafplio. 

Greek mythology holds that Hercules finished the first of his twelve labors at Nemea by killing the ferocious Nemean Lion, a beast whose hide was resistant to weapons. Standing among the vines now, with the mountains rising in the distance, one can easily see the hero following these same roads thousands of years ago.

But Nemea wine's narrative transcends mythology quite a bit. One of the world's oldest wine-producing regions, archeological data points to nearly 3,500 years of winemaking activity in this area. The ancient Greeks elevated wine to religious importance, presenting it to gods like Dionysus and including it into their most holy rites, not only drank it.

Agiorgitiko: Hercules's Blood

Without emphasizing Agiorgitiko, the star variety of Nemea wine, no study of it would be whole. Sometimes local winemakers call to this unique red grape as the "Blood of Hercules," citing the deep ruby hue derived from the blood of the Nemean Lion that seeped into the ground.

Apart from mythological theories, Agiorgitiko (pronounced ah-yor-YEE-ti-ko) is unique. From light, fruit-forward wines to sophisticated, age-worthy reds with amazing structure and depth, I have found it to be very flexible during my tastings all across the area.

The greatest specimens show notes of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, balanced with subdued spiciness, floral accents, and a distinctive smoothness that makes them appealing even to new wine consumers. Compared to many other red wine types, the tannins often have a velvet-like texture that stays pleasantly on the palate.

Agiorgitiko is especially intriguing since it captures the distinctive terrain of Nemea. While those in the valley floor generate fuller-bodied Nemea wines with darker fruit notes and more obvious tannins, vineyards at higher elevations—up to 800 meters above sea level—produce wines with greater acidity and more marked red fruit characteristics.

Travel Through Award-Winning Wineries

Any Nemea wine tour revolves, naturally, on seeing the wineries themselves. Every winery presents a different viewpoint on the winemaking customs of the area, mixing old knowledge with contemporary methods based on my investigations.

Contemporary Winemaking Against Age

Modern stainless steel fermenting tanks shining in the Mediterranean sunlight welcome us at the first winery on our trip. Though both serve the same function—turning grape juice into wine—the difference between these contemporary pots and the antique amphora on exhibit in the tasting area is rather apparent.

Third-generation winemaker our host details the painstaking procedure used in producing their award-winning wines. "We harvest the Agiorgitiko grapes by hand," she says, "always in the early morning to preserve their freshness and aromatics." Her family has been making wine in Nemea for almost a century, and while they have embraced modern techniques, many of their basic practices remain unchanged from those their grandparents employed.

From the first grape crushing to fermentation, aging, and bottling—each stage of production—the winery tour transports us. The delicate balancing these winemakers do between innovation and legacy is remarkable. While aging in both French and American oak barrels gives character and structure to the finished wines, temperature-controlled fermenting tanks let for exact monitoring of the winemaking process.

The experimental vineyard of the winery, where they grow small plots of several Agiorgitiko clones to investigate how minute genetic variances influence the final wine, is maybe most remarkable. Along with decades of collected experience, this scientific method captures the forward-looking mindset of Nemea's top producers.

Beyond Agiorgitiko: The Renaissance in Greek Viticulture

Agiorgitiko is still the star of Nemea wines, but part of what makes a wine trip here so interesting is the chance to learn about Greece's amazing viticultural variation. Greek wines provide tastes and experiences unique nowhere else in the world, with over 300 indigenous grape types many found nowhere else.

We can taste wines produced from grapes like Assyrtiko, renowned for their mineral strength and high acidity; Moschofilero, with its fragrant profile and graceful structure; and Xinomavro, sometimes matched to Nebbiolo for its tannic structure and age potential.

What particularly impresses me is how recently these indigenous varieties—many of which were almost lost during Greece's stormy 20th century—have gained respect. Many trained outside but intensely loyal to their Greek background, a new generation of winemakers has brought about a rebirth in quality and creativity.

"People thought of Greek wine as just retsina twenty years ago," one winemaker tells us, referring to the classic pine resin-infused wine that historically defined Greece's exports. "We are now being highlighted on the wine lists of Michelin-starred restaurants all around and winning international awards."

Nemea Wine Tour

Your day begins in Nafplio, where you will meet with your guide, before traveling towards the area of Nemea. Once there, you will begin your tour of the ancient stadium of Nemea, built in the 4th century BC. This stadium played a major role in Greek athletics, hosting sporting events in honor of the Greek god Zeus.

The arena was 178 meters long and the stadium's capacity was 40,000 spectators. Some of the most important athletic and equestrian events in Ancient Greece took place here, making it one of Greece’s must see attractions.

Following that, you will visit 2 award-winning wineries in the area, where you will learn about the vintage process, take an in-depth look into the wine-making stages and be given an extensive tour of the production sites.

With over 300 different varieties of wine produced from Greek vineyards, many of them native to the Nemea region, you will learn all about the culture of Greek wine from ancient times to the present. Your guides will also happily share with you all the secrets of Greek wine and explain it how it has made its presence known in the wine world.

In this Nemea winetasting tour, you will also can taste renowned Greek wine styles, from fine aromatic crisp whites to fruity reds, that will surprise you pleasantly.

Nemea winetasting tour is full of culture and tastes and is truly a must for your trip to Greece!

Complimentary hotel pick-up and drop off is also included on this tour, from all hotels and apartments throughout Nafplion.

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