Perched on the hills above Patras, Peloponnese, Achaia Clauss stands as Greece’s first organised winery and a living monument to the country’s winemaking tradition. Its story began in the early 19th century when Bavarian merchant Gustav Clauss chose these Patras hills to create what became Greece’s most historically significant winery. In 1861, he purchased his first estate, laying the foundation for a winery that would soon gain international acclaim. In 1918, Vlasis Antonopoulos, a visionary currant merchant from Patras, became the first Greek owner of the winery. In 1996, Nikolaos Karapanos, an oenologist and economist, took the helm of Achaia Clauss. Continuing his passion for excellence, since 2017 Karapanos has embarked on a new chapter with “Castro Clauss Handcrafted Wines,” a personal project that celebrates artisanal winemaking and the timeless spirit of Achaia Clauss.
Winery Tour and Wine Tasting
- Greece’s First Winery Tour: Visit Achaia Clauss — Greece’s first organised winery — and walk through the extraordinary historical complex that Gustav Clauss built in the hills above Patras in the 19th century
- Wine Museum & Heritage: Explore the winery’s remarkable wine museum documenting over 150 years of Greek wine history — from the founding vision of Clauss to the modern renaissance of Greek viticulture
- Wine Tasting: Taste Achaia Clauss wines — including the legendary Mavrodaphne of Patras — and experience the heritage of Greece’s most historically significant wine producer
A historic pilgrimage to Greece’s first winery in Patras. Book through Gastronomy Tours.