A #winelover day that will touch your mind, body, and soul

Just imagine a gastronomic adventure in Thrace, which included olive oil tasting, wine tasting, lunch, soulful moments, and of course the amazing hospitality of Northern Greece. I want to warn you that our first #winelover day in Thrace will touch your mind, body, and soul.

 Monastery of St. Nicholas, Porto Lagos © Spaswinefood

Stops that day included visits to the Kyklopas Olive Oil Estate, the Vourvoukeli Estate, and the Monastery of St. Nicholas.

Kyklopas Olive Oil
After an early morning start we were off to visit Kyklopas in Mákri, Evros. Kyklopas produces award winning, organic extra virgin olive oil. Before leaving we visited one of their olive groves, which has some olive trees over a 1000 years old. It was, indeed, overwhelming to see these majestic trees.

Kyklopas Olive Grove © Spaswinefood

Spaswinefood was impressed, not only by the ancient olive trees, but also the superior quality of olive oil being produced here. Try their olive oil if you get a chance.

Sampling, Kyklopas © Spaswinefood

Vourvoukeli Estate

We arrived at Vourvoukeli Winery late morning. Vourvoukeli Estate was started in 1999 by Nikos and Flora Vourvoukeli. They began with a vision to revive the famous Advira Vineyard. Starting with two hectares they gradually expanded to twelve hectares. Their estate vineyard is cultivated according to organic farming regulations. They decided to do organic farming because the climate in this region is particularly conducive to this approach. Their two sons, Georgios and Odyseeas, are both engaged in vineyard management and wine making. Both sons have undertaken extensive education and training in these fields. The winery was completed in 2004.

Welcome to Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

During the welcoming I could not resist taking a peek at the vineyard. Vourvoukeli's estate vineyard was thriving because of the late spring rains. Both indigenous and international grape varieties are grown at Vourvoukeli Estate.

Vourvoukeli Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Late Spring, Vourvoukeli Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Spring Vines, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

After a quick tour of the winery the wine tasting began.

Wine Tasting, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

The Vourvoukeli wines I tasted included:

White and Rose Wines
1. Avdriros White 2016 (70% Chardonnay and 30% Pamidi)
2. Assyrtiko 2016
3. Lagara White 2016 (70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Assyrtiko)
4. Avdriros Rose 2016 (80% Pamidi and 20% Syrah)

Red Wines
5. Avdriros  Red 2013 (50% Limnio, 30% Syrah, and 20% Pamidi)
6. Limnio 2015
7. Lagara Red 2011 (50% Merlot, 30% Syrah and 20% Pamidi)

Katima Vourvoukeli Wines © Spaswinefood

Tasting Room, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

I liked the overall quality of the Vourvoukeli wines that I tasted. I was especially drawn to Vourvoukeli's Limnio wine after I first tasted it a few years ago, at Cinque Wine Bar, Athens.

Cinque Wine Bar: Ktima Vourvoukelis, Limnio 2013

Ktima Vourvoukelis, Limnio 2013 © Spaswinefood

I particularly liked Vourvoukeli's 2013 and 2015 vintages of Limnio that I tasted. Limnio is a red Greek grape variety that is indigenous to Lemnos Island in the Northern Aegean. It is one of the oldest known and most important red grapes.

Lunch at Vourvoukeli Estate

We were royally treated with a lunch prepared by George's dad. We also retasted the wines with food.

Appetizers and Vourvoukeli Wines © Spaswinefood

Appetizer, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

Vourvoukeli Winery Wines © Spaswinefood

Some of the various courses for lunch included:

Risotto, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

Meat Platter, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

The vegetarian in the group was served an amazing salad.

Salad with Asparagus and Grape Leaves, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

At the end of lunch there was some sweetness to enjoy.

Desert, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

Moreover, there was some sweet wine that the winemaker just happened to have.

Georgios Vourvoukeli, Winemaker © Spaswinefood

During lunch at Vourvoukeli there were of course conversations over wine, and about wine. This always happens when #winelovers gather.

#Winelovers, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

Yes, enjoying Vourvoukeli wines with food was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the wines.

We did not forget to thank the chef. It was so special to have such culinary treats prepared with heartfelt generosity (con corazón). Northern Greece is a place of amazing hospitality.

Thanks to the Chef, Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

It truly was an awesome experience at Ktima Vourvoukeli. 

Vourvoukeli Winery © Spaswinefood

Katima (Winery)Vourvoukeli © Spaswinefood

After lunch we headed back to Alexandroupoli, the largest city in Thrace, and our base for wine country explorations. Yes, there was an "on the road" surprise. 

Monastery of St. Nicholas 
George, our host, always seemed to arrange a number of "on the road" surprises during our wine country travels. Our visit to Monastery of St. Nicholas, Porto Lagos was our first. The monastery is in the middle of the lake. From the parking lot we took the wooden bridge to the small island where the monastery is located.

Arrival, Monastery of St. Nicholas © Spaswinefood

The setting, the quietness, and the late afternoon colors made the surprise stop extra special.  Monastery of St. Nicholas is part of the Vatopedi Monastery in Mount Athos.

Sweets, Monastery of St. Nicholas © Spaswinefood

We were offered sweets by a very kind gentleman who asked for nothing in return. 

 Monastery of St. Nicholas © Spaswinefood

It was indeed a #winelover day that touched the mind, body, and soul. Our May #winelover adventure was good timing to visit Thrace. Sure, a few folks complained about the unusual weather for late May. However, overall it was good weather for touring wine country. Let me say, I just know that there will be a Greek wine goddess/god calling me to taste Greek wines, or to visit a vineyard soon.  Spaswinefood is looking forward to more wine country adventures along the Greek Wine Trails. I invite you to heck out my travels in Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

May 2017

Alexandroupoli, Greece

© Spaswinefood

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook

George Touratzis, TU Events © Spaswinefood

Special thanks to Touratzis Umami (#TUevents) for its excellent organization of our #winelover adventures in Thrace #SeeYouInThrace 
#SeeYouInGreece #Yamas

Note: For further information on Greek grapes and wine regions see all about Greek wine.