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Rhodes Wineries
Half Day Private Tour
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From your selected point, you'll be driven to CAIR winery just outside of Rhodes town. The Company Agricultural Industry of Rhodes was started by the Italians in 1928. Now Greek owned and operated, the company produced (in 1992) a special white wine, "Rodos 2400", to celebrate the foundation of the city of Rhodes! Vineyards are specially selected for the quality of grapes used under each specific label and are constantly monitored. The cooperative is proud of a track record that includes the preservation of the island's winemaking legacy, shepherding the establishment of the island's appellation status in 1971 and competing successfully in the Greek market during the quality revolution of the past two decades.
CAIR's wine is produced on two sites. The original site, in Rhodes city, produces Chevalier, llios and Retsina while the remaining labels now come from the new plant near just outside the city, where the latest technology is employed.
Then we drive 40 miles, about 1 hour south west to Empona. On the way we stop close to the Valley of the Butterflies to a small traditional local winery of Mrs. Anastasia. The Anastasia's winery was started on 1995 and later on 2002 moved here to this beautiful location. She started with only two wines and now she is producing more than 10 different type of wines. Athiri, Red wine Mandilari, Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon......She is also producing Souma (distillate of wine) and extra virgin oil of olives. She is using biological growth and biological process for the vineyards and wines. Here you have the opportunity to test all the types of wines she produces, and get your pictures of the ageing facilities.
Then we continue south west to Empona, admire the Island's lush vegetation along the drive towards this beautiful village which has known days of glory in the past. The drive along the mountains path will surely reward the visitor. Empona the large village at the foot of Ataviros mountain, is the most important grape producing village on the island, which combines folklore, a lively atmosphere and good food at the local traditional tavernas.
The Triantafyllou family, owners of Emery Wines, first entered the beverage business in Rhodes in 1923 mainly as distillers. Exporting spirits worldwide, the company was one of the few of its kind to survive the second World War. In 1966 the company began making wine on a large scale. In 1974, a winery was constructed near the village of Embonas on Mount Atavyros, in the heart of the island's best growing region. Today Emery is one of Greece's oldest wine and and spirits producers and occupies a position high on the list of the country's largest wineries. The name Emery originates from Emeric D�Amboise of French origin who was the Great Magistrate of Rhodes from 1503-1512. Free wine tasting for visitors is availiable and pictures of the ageing facilities.
Then we visit the other three small traditional winemakers Kounakis, Alexandris and Merkouris.
The Kounakis winery started from the grandfather Kyriakos Kounakis on 1928 and it still produce excellent wines till today, they can produce more than 20000 bottles of wine a year. They use the traditional natural way for growth and process. Athiri, Mandilaria (Amorgiano) Merlot, Grenache rouge, Syrah, Chardonnay. Here you can test free all the types of wines they produce, and get your pictures of the ageing facilities.
The Alexandris winery it is a small second generation wine producer, started by the father Michael, and now his sons Stergos and Panayiotis run the winery. Panayiotis studied in France Enologist Winemaker in the university of Montpellier, they use French wooden barrels, they produce Red wine (VDQS), White wine from the white grape variety Athiri, Sweet white wine (VDQS)... Free wine taste and pictures.
In the Merkouris winery the wines made by grapes which grow at the bottom of Mount Ataviros and placed in wooden barrels until ready. The Papamichael family bottles it in Embona for the past three generations. Fresh wines without chemical interventions. They also make Souma from their grapes production in the traditional way of distillation. Free wine taste and pictures.
Upon returning to Rhodes Town, you may choose to be dropped back to your hotel or back to your ship, or near the city gates of the Old Town for independent browsing. You would then be responsible for your own return to the ship on foot, which will be docked approximately a quarter mile away.
If you wish you could add on this program lunch on a local traditional taverna in Embona, or at a fish-taverna on the Aegean Sea, right on the waters edge.
Q: Do we have to pay for the wine tasting? Are there any entrance fees?
A: No entrance fees. The wine tasting is free.
Q: We aren't big wine connoisseurs but do appreciate it, can we taste any type of wine we wish?
A: Yes of course.
Q: Is there a requirement that we purchase a certain amount of wine?
A: No you don't have to purchase any amount of wine.
Q: Do we get drunk at the end of the tour?
A: No, you don't get drank, we never had drank clients.
Our attention to detail will make Rhodes the highlight of your trip.
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