A fusion of wine tradition, archaeology, and innovation.
Located on the Ikarian highlands overlooking the western end of the island the Afianes estate is a place where wine, friends, nature, and tradition come together. The winery spreads across a verdant hilltop interspersed with natural granite stones, and it is a true sanctuary for wine and nature lovers alike.
From the outset, the main goal of Nikos Afianes and his wife Maria was for Ikarian wine to regain its ancient historical place on the global wine map. Afianes wine estate was created with love and good taste in 1997 in the Raches district of Ikaria. Today, Afianes wines have established themselves worldwide as unique, combining the ancient wine traditions of Ikaria with the exquisite local grape-varieties and the innovative winemaking methods. Visitors have the chance to get acquainted with the traditional Ikarian way of making wine, starting from the old “cyclopean horseshoe-shaped winepress”, and the stone cellar for clay jars where the wine-making process is taking place.
Afianes state-of-the-art winery is built inside a large vineyard located in the village of Profitis Elias in northwestern Ikaria at an altitude of 610 m.
TOUR AND TASTING
Experience all the nuances of the Afianes wines with this guided estate tour and wine tasting.
Begin the tour by visiting the “Pithostasi” where wine is fermented and aged in clay jars buried underground, and experience the vinification method of the ancient Ikarians. Explore the stone amphitheater located 610 meters above sea level and take in the breathtaking views of the hillsides of the Chalari canyon. Take a close look at the granite press where grapes are stomped by fοοt, and visit the pirate stone house of the winery, where the oldest wines of the estate are safeguarded. Visit the cultural area of the winery which hosts a collection of traditional Ikarian artifacts and immerse yourself in this timeless winemaking tradition.
Taste three of the best fresh wines the estate has to offer, a white, a rose, and a red, under the guidance of an experienced guide, and clear your pallet with rusks baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. Learn to identify the character of each wine, discover its layered aromas and rich taste.
