With Oenologists, 6 To 8 Hours

This 6 to 8 hour wine tour to Nemea departs from Athens, Nafplio or Nemea and is guided by oenologists. Travelers visit wineries, learn about the region's wines and take part in guided tastings.

Overview

This is a wine tour of Nemea run by Greece By The Glass, lasting six to eight hours, with an oenologist as the guide rather than a general driver or escort. Over the day you visit three wine producers, and at each one you get the history of the estate, a walk through the production facilities and barrel rooms, and a tasting of at least four wines. The tastings are adjusted to what you actually like to drink.

Nemea as a region spans altitudes from 300m up to 1000m, so the wineries pour quite different styles, from light whites and sparkling wines to ageworthy reds. The three stops on the route are Estate Constantin Gofas, Ktima Bairaktaris and Semeli Estate. Reviewers repeatedly said the wineries felt distinct from one another and that the hosts at each one were passionate about explaining production in real detail.

Lunch is served as a platter of local products, things like cheeses, cold cuts, spinach pie with feta, stuffed grape leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, olive oil and bread. The day ends on a semi-sweet dessert wine paired with dark chocolate and raisins. It suits travellers who want depth rather than a quick tasting, and it works for most people, since only your own group takes part.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. PickupThe tour starts with pickup from Athens, Nafplio or Nemea. Only your group participates, as this is a private experience.
2. Estate Constantin GofasFirst stop, one hour and fifteen minutes. Admission is included, with a tour of the facilities and a tasting.
3. Ktima BairaktarisSecond winery, one hour and thirty minutes. Admission is included, covering the visit and tasting.
4. Semeli EstateThird stop, one hour and fifteen minutes. Admission is included, with the winery visit and tasting.
5. Lunch and finishLunch is a platter of local products, and the day closes with a semi-sweet dessert wine served with dark chocolate and raisins. The full experience runs six to eight hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things are worth knowing before booking this tour, from what to wear to how the day is paced.

• Pace of day. Expect a full day out, six to eight hours door to door, with the three winery visits themselves adding up to around four hours. Reviewers described the day as easy to spend, with plenty of questions answered along the way.
• Group feel. This is a private tour, so only your group participates. Several travellers said the format meant their questions got answered throughout the day, on the wines, the region and Greek culture generally.
• Food included. Lunch is a platter of local products: cheeses, cold cuts, spinach pie with feta, stuffed grape leaves with rice and herbs, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, olive oil and bread. Bottled water is also provided, and a semi-sweet dessert wine closes the meal with dark chocolate and raisins.
• Guide expertise. The guide is an oenologist, not a generic tour escort. Reviewers often mention the depth of knowledge shared, and one noted their guide had experience working in wineries around the world.
• Accessibility. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but pushchairs are fine and infant seats are available. Service animals are allowed and the pickup points are near public transportation. Most travellers can participate.
• Taste preference. The wines poured at each tasting are chosen according to your personal preferences, so it helps to say early what you like. At least four wines are tasted at each of the three wineries.

Common issues. The main limitation is accessibility: the tour is not wheelchair accessible. The total running time can reach eight hours, which may be long for some travellers. Cancellations need to happen at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund, and changes inside that window are not accepted. Anyone booked within a day of travel will get confirmation as soon as possible, subject to availability.

Common Questions