Wine Tasting

Halkidiki has a long history of wine. In antiquity Mende, near today's Kalandra on Kassandra, was famous for its wine, which was exported across the Aegean, and its coins showed Dionysus.

Today the region's best-known estate is Domaine Porto Carras on Sithonia, with vineyards on the slopes of Meliton, which have their own protected designation of origin. It was there, a few decades ago, that the revival of Malagousia began — the aromatic white variety now grown all over Greece. In Arnaia, in the mountains of northern Halkidiki, is the Claudia Papayianni estate, and there are vineyards even on Mount Athos itself.

At tastings you'll come across varieties such as Malagousia, Limnio, Xinomavro and Assyrtiko, as well as international ones like Cabernet Sauvignon. Most wineries receive visitors by appointment only, so get in touch a few days ahead. And since you'll be tasting wine, decide who's driving back.