Wine Country

Wine lovers visiting Lake Heraion have several options to indulge in their passion. The region of Nemea, which is a short drive from Loutraki, is one of the most important wine production regions in Greece .

Nemea, located in the northeast corner of the Peloponnese peninsula, is arguably Greece’s most important red-wine appellation. The mountains and valleys surrounding the small village of Nemea have been producing wine for centuries, mostly from the native Agiorgitiko grape. This region is home to around 40 wineries and has seen a significant amount of investment and growth over the past few decades. The terroir of Nemea can be easily divided into three subzones: the flat land surrounding the village, the hillier land to the west of the village, and the more-mountainous areas toward the peak of Mount Kyllini in the north.

The Agiorgitiko grape, named for the small St George’s Church found within the boundaries of the appellation, is Nemea’s native grape variety. This late-ripening variety responds well to the diurnal temperature variation that slows the production of sugars in the grapes, helping with the retention of acidity. The best examples of Nemea wine are made from vineyards at the highest altitudes, where thin, gravelly soils and lower temperatures help to produce high-quality grapes. In the lower-lying alluvial areas surrounding the village of Nemea, temperatures are higher during the growing season, which can sometimes result in a loss of acidity in the grapes.

Foreign visitors to Nemea can explore the numerous wineries and vineyards in the region.These wineries offer informative tours and tastings, allowing visitors to sample a wide range of wines and learn about the winemaking process. The stunning views of the valley and the magical location of the wineries contribute to an unforgettable experience.

Here are some of them:

  1. Karamitsos Winery: Karamitsos Winery is a family winery at the entrance of Nemea. It has been operating in the new facilities since 2016 and is one of the most modern and advanced Wineries in the area. A family-owned winery that produces high-quality wine. The facilities include oak barrels and modern inox tanks, which allow visitors to familiarize themselves with both traditional and modern vinification techniques. The winery has a cellar and a wine-tasting hall that are open daily for visitors.
  2. Cooperative Winery of Nemea: Founded in 1937, this winery has more than 1000 members and vinifies around 10,000 tons of grape yearly. It’s situated in the northeast of Peloponnese and is one of the most important wine production regions in Greece. The winery offers wine tastings and tours.
  3. Ktima Bairaktaris: An organic winery that produces high-quality wines from excellent grape quality. The winery offers wine tastings and tours .
  4. Lafazanis Winery: A winery that offers wine tastings and tours. It’s located in the heart of Nemea and produces high-quality wines .The Lafazanis Winery blends harmoniously with the country vistas of its location, the village of Archaies Kleones (ancient Cleonae) in Nemea. It covers an area of 4,000 m2 and is nestled in 10 ha of vineyards.
  5. Palivou Estate: A winery that offers wine tastings and tours. The estate is located in the heart of Nemea and produces high-quality and organic wines.
  6. Estate Constantin Gofas: The Gofas family cultivates its own vineyards and delivers from generation to generation. The winery started in the small family home in the village where they used an old manual wine press. Now they had modernized winery with new machinery. Separates the vineyards, applies innovative viticultural techniques, advances in new varieties plantings creating standards blends international standards, aiming to produce high quality wines. They also offers wine tastings and tours. 
  7. Lafkioti Winery: Supported by the experience of many years of producing premium wines, the family continues the tradition by selecting high quality vineyards, makes wine in modern state-of-the art facilities and ages the wines in French, oak barrels in environmentally-controlled cellars. A winery that offers wine tastings and tours. The winery produces high-quality wines and has a tasting room with a splendid view of the valley.
  8. Barafakas Winery: The Barafaka family has been active in the field of vineyards since 1920 in the area of Nemea, where due to the history of our area and especially our family and our grandparents cultivated vineyards .From a young age they were involved with the vineyards, they played there and grew up there. A winery that offers wine tastings and tours. The winery produces high-quality wines and has a friendly staff.
  9. Estate G. Anastasiou: A winery that offers wine tastings and tours. The estate produces high-quality wines and has a beautiful location.
  10. Semeli Estate: Founded in 1979, Semeli is a leading Greek winery and one of the country’s most significant wine-related developments. With deep roots in time-honored traditions and them eyes on the future, they are produce wines of exceptional quality offering consumers best value for money. A winery that offers wine tastings and tours. The estate produces high-quality wines and has a stunning view from the hill.

Please note that the opening hours and availability of wine tastings may vary depending on the season and the winery’s schedule. It’s advisable to contact the winery in advance to confirm the details.