There I stood spellbound, as we overlooked Domaine Porto Carras vineyards, one of the most historic wine estates in Greece. This wine estate truly is spectacular, not only because of the amazing views from the top of its amphitheater shaped vineyard but also their wines of course. The development of the vineyards and the resort complex (Porto Carras Grand Resort) began in 1960's. The winery was established in 1970. Domaine Porto Carras, the largest organic vineyard in Greece, was our first winery stop on the Wine Roads of Northern Greece.
Domaine Porto Carras on the Halkidiki Wine Road
The wine tasting was followed by dinner at a Domaine Porto Carras Domaine Porto Carras restaurant.
Some of the dishes that were served at dinner included:
The wines included the following
1. Chateau Porto Carras 1993
2. Domaine Porto Carras, Grande Reserve Porphyrogenitos, PDO Meliton Slopes 1993
These were some very special wines. Domaine Porto Carras wines are available in the US at Old World Vines.
Let me not forget there was also a very tempting cheese plate.
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View, Domaine Porto Carras Vineyard © Spaswinefood
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| Domaine Porto Carras Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Until last month I had been waiting patiently for a Greek wine goddess/god to
call me. Well, patience paid off because the call came to visit the Wine Roads of Northern Greece #NorthGRTrip. Like all visitors I soon discovered that in Greece you are never far from a beach and the vineyards are often even closer. When I visited Domaine Porto Carras vineyards and winery I discovered that the 4,500 acre Porto Carras Grand Resort has two hotels, spas and casino; plus it includes five miles of pristine Aegean shoreline.
Domaine Porto Carras on the Halkidiki Wine Road
We flew to Thessaloniki from Athens to join fellow wine bloggers. After a very brief stop in Thessaloniki we drove 100 km (66 miles) to Domaine Porto Carras in Sithonia Halkidiki where we toured the vineyards and the estate. First, we viewed the vineyards.
After we viewed the spectacular vineyards we were taken on a tour of Villa Galini. Villa Galini was once a private residence of Giannis Carras, the founder of Porto Carras Estate. The villa was built by the well known Greek architect Kapsambelis. It is furnished with monastic style furniture and beautiful art works.
Over the years Villa Galini's guest list has included guests such as, heads of state, royalty, celebrities and artists. Artist Salvador Dali was amongst the guests who lived at the villa for a period of time. It was fun see the suite where Dali once lived. I could not resist taking a picture of the colorful bathroom he once used.
Near the suite where Dali once lived we took time to pose with the art work created by him.
Today Villa Galini is available for special events. One cannot help but think about what it might be like to chat with guests by the fire, or dined with great views of the Toroneos Gulf.
Next stop was the winery, which is well equipped with the latest modern equipment. Since time was at a premium we took a very quick look at the barrel room.
Domaine Porto Carras Wines
After touring the estate we returned to the tasting room for a wine tasting. There are 26 grape varieties, that included indigenous and French varieties, grown on the estate. Emile Peynaud, the father of modern wine making was involved in the establishment of the vineyards. Porto Carras vineyards have ideal growing conditions for Assyrtiko, Athiri, Malagouzia, Sauvignon Blanc and Roditis and the production of high quality white wines. In the case of Malagouzia it was nearing extinction until being revived by Domaine Porto Carras. Amongst its red varieties Porto Carras is well known for Limnio, one of the oldest grape varieties in the world. Aristotle in his writings made reference to this grape.
Our wine tasting included the following wines:
1. Domaine Porto Carras, Malagouzia 2014
2. Domaine Porto Carras, Assyrtiko 2014
3. Domaine Porto Carras, Melissanthi 2014
4. Domaine Porto Carras, Rose 2014
5. Domaine Porto Carras, Limnio 2012
6. Domaine Porto Carras, Magnus Baccata 2012
7. Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 2006
8. Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 1993
I must admit these were all good wines. In fact, it was hard to pick a favorite. If I had to pick one white and one red. For the whites the Malagouzia stood out because it was so unique, especially the aromas. In the case of the red wines the Chateau Porto Carras 2006 & 1993, 1993 was a winner for sure. It was my first time tasting Limnio and I rather liked it. This is a wine that will age well.
Porto Carras, a full service resort, is one of the most beautiful wine estates in Northern Greece.
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| Viewing Porto Carras Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Porto Carras Estate Toroneos Gulf © Spaswinefood |
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| Bathroom, Villa Porto Carras Estate © Spaswinefood |
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| Relaxing Villa Galini Style © Spaswinefood |
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| Posing at Villa Galini © Spaswinefood |
Today Villa Galini is available for special events. One cannot help but think about what it might be like to chat with guests by the fire, or dined with great views of the Toroneos Gulf.
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| Fireside, Villa Galini © Spaswinefood |
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| Dining Area, Villa Galini © Spaswinefood |
Next stop was the winery, which is well equipped with the latest modern equipment. Since time was at a premium we took a very quick look at the barrel room.
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| Barrel Room, Porto Carras Estate © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Porto Carras Wines
After touring the estate we returned to the tasting room for a wine tasting. There are 26 grape varieties, that included indigenous and French varieties, grown on the estate. Emile Peynaud, the father of modern wine making was involved in the establishment of the vineyards. Porto Carras vineyards have ideal growing conditions for Assyrtiko, Athiri, Malagouzia, Sauvignon Blanc and Roditis and the production of high quality white wines. In the case of Malagouzia it was nearing extinction until being revived by Domaine Porto Carras. Amongst its red varieties Porto Carras is well known for Limnio, one of the oldest grape varieties in the world. Aristotle in his writings made reference to this grape.
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| Domaine Porto Carras Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Tasting, Domaine Porto Carras © Spaswinefood |
Our wine tasting included the following wines:
1. Domaine Porto Carras, Malagouzia 2014
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Malagouzia 2014 © Spaswinefood |
2. Domaine Porto Carras, Assyrtiko 2014
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Assyrtiko 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Assyrtiko 2014 (backlabel) © Spaswinefood |
3. Domaine Porto Carras, Melissanthi 2014
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Melissanthi 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Melissanthi 2014 (backlabel) © Spaswinefood |
4. Domaine Porto Carras, Rose 2014
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Rose 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Limnio 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Limnio 2012 (backlabel) © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Limnio 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Magnus Baccata 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 2006 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 2006 (backlabel) © Spaswinefood |
8. Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 1993
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 1993 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Tasting Chateau Porto Carras Wines © Spaswinefood |
Porto Carras, a full service resort, is one of the most beautiful wine estates in Northern Greece.
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| Toroneos Gulf, Villa Galini © Spaswinefood |
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| View of Toroneos Gulf, Villa Galini © Spaswinefood |
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| Restaurant, Grand Porto Carras Resort © Spaswinefood |
Some of the dishes that were served at dinner included:
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| Appetizer, Grand Porto Carras Resort © Spaswinefood |
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| Risotto, Grand Porto Carras Resort © Spaswinefood |
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| Seafood Risotto, Grand Porto Carras Resort Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
The wines included the following
1. Chateau Porto Carras 1993
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| Chateau Porto Carras 1993 © Spaswinefood |
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| Grande Reserve Porphyrogenitos, PDO Meliton Slopes 1993 © Spaswinefood |
Let me not forget there was also a very tempting cheese plate.
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| Cheese Plate, Grand Porto Carras Resort © Spaswinefood |
It was indeed a most delightful time with our Porto Carras hosts.
Our travels to Domaine Porto Carras on the Halkidiki Wine Road was a great introduction to the Wine Roads of Northern Greece . Obviously Greece is a popular destination for travelers given its great wines and food, and amazing hospitality. All visitors to Greece should include Northern Greece in their travel plans where they will discover a world just perfect for the gastronomic adventurer. Beach lovers will also not be disappointed because in Greece the vineyards are never far from the beaches. I invite you to check out my travels in Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Our travels to Domaine Porto Carras on the Halkidiki Wine Road was a great introduction to the Wine Roads of Northern Greece . Obviously Greece is a popular destination for travelers given its great wines and food, and amazing hospitality. All visitors to Greece should include Northern Greece in their travel plans where they will discover a world just perfect for the gastronomic adventurer. Beach lovers will also not be disappointed because in Greece the vineyards are never far from the beaches. I invite you to check out my travels in Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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