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.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
If you are on the island with friends or family, create a unique memory of your vacation: explore the authentic side of Ikaria, and a facet of its gastronomic and folklore tradition at Afianes Winery. We have designed a unique walking tour that lasts 4 hours and includes:
A visit to the nearest vineyard of the winery at 600 m. altitude.
Three unique stops during the walk, with specially scouted scenic areas where we will taste three different natural wines:
– Litani Begleri 2019, white dry (accompanied with extra virgin olive oil from Ikaria and traditional rusks baked in the wooden oven)
– Icarus Black 2016, red dry (accompanied with aged Gruyere cheese from Naxos island and local tomatoes from Ikaria)
– Pithari Red 2018, red dry (accompanied with local organic strawberries from Ikaria)
(All the wines of Afianes Winery undergo natural, organic, and biodynamic cultivation with the exclusive use of wild yeasts).
Return to the estate and enjoy a full tour of the winery! We will visit the mini folklore museum, the granite press, the “anti-pirate” stone house, the winery, the wine cellar and the cistern. The tour is led by our most established professionals, either by a certified sommelier, or from the winemaker Mr. K. Afianes himself. This tour will introduce you to the rich history of the island, and the ways in which tradition is upheld and embraced even today.
Enjoy a traditional lunch based on fresh, local products, and accompanied with 2 glasses of wine per person (the choice is made from the 3 labels sampled previously on the walk), while enjoying the views of the beautiful open sea.
If you have children with you, there exists the possibility to customize some dishes, but please let us know in advance.
*Only by reservation 24 hours in advance.
