Odyssey of Wine Tours

Name: Odyssey of Wine Tours
Address: Raches, GR
Telephone: +13072280685
Rating: 5

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Odyssey of Wine Tours

We Provide Exceptional And Curated Tours Exploring The Wine Heritage Of The Greek Island Of Ikaria.

03/02/2025

Starry, starry night ✨

Ikaria's lack of light pollution makes it one of the most incredible places in Greece for star-gazing. By day, the island is lush and green, and by night, the stars glitter against the inky black skies.

The only thing that could improve witnessing the serene beauty of the cosmos is with a glass of wine in hand🍷

31/01/2025

Dan Buettner, founder of the Blue Zones and world-reknowned longevity expert, visiting the Afianes family at their winery on Ikaria.

Afianes Wines are featured in the Netflix series, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. Their beautiful wines comprise part of the "moderate" drinking that is part of the daily lives of the world's longest-lived people!

It is a good reminder that wine is so much more than just alcohol. Wine is nature, gastronomy, culture, and a sociable drink that brings us together. Check out Live to 100 on Netflix to learn more about the incredible heritage of Ikarian wine (or, book a tour with us to taste it for yourself!😉 🍷)

20/01/2025

On our tours, we delve into the rich and ancient history of Ikarian wine. This photo exemplifies the fascinating winemaking style of our partners, Afianes Wines, who bury the wine in amphorae underground in the same methods of their ancestors.

Wines from Ikaria have been noted throughout the centuries, including in some of Western literature's most beloved scenes. In Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey, Ikarian wine (known as Pramnian in antiquity) was said to have emboldened the heroes of the Trojan war, and was even an essential ingredient in the witch Circe's elixir in turning Odysseus' men to swine.

When you drink these wines, you become part of a larger lineage that connects us intimately to our forbearers. We drink what they drank. Our cheeks blush as theirs once did. For that reason, we believe wine is truly magic, as it can simultaneously transport us into the past, while also enlivening the present moment.

We can't wait to wax poetic with you in person on our 2025 tours to Ikaria! Tour dates are below:

May 26th- June 2nd
June 9th- June 16th
June 23rd- June 30th

17/01/2025

The wild beauty of Ikaria.

Ikaria is unique amongst Greek islands for its vast and virgin landscapes. Lush forests, rugged mountains, and crystal clear waters make up the tapestry of this special island.

Besides wine tasting (our personal favorite activity 😉🍷), visitors can hike the many trails, scuba or free dive, or sail to the nearby Fourni islands.

For nature lovers everywhere, Ikaria is truly an island paradise.

14/01/2025

A master at work. Meet Nikos Afianes, co-founder of Odyssey of Wine Tours. For those of you who don't know Nikos, he is the owner and winemaker of Afianes Wines, the esteemed biodynamic winery that was featured on Netflix's Blue Zone series, Live to 100.

Nikos and his wife Maria founded Afianes Wines in 1997 with the goal of reviving and elevating the ancient wine culture of Ikaria. By working with indigenous grapes, following biodynamic farming principles, and harmonizing both ancient and modern styles of winemaking, Afianes Wines has carved its legacy as a true touchstone of fine Greek wine. In recent years, they have garnered attention from famed wine critic Jancis Robinson and have been featured in Michelin starred restaurants across Europe.

Yet for all the accolades surrounding the beautiful Afianes Wines, this picture reminds us of its humble beginnings. Just a man in his vineyard, tending to the vines. Pruning leaves with care. Watching something grow. Participating in the ancient and sacred relationship with nature to make something beautiful. 🍷✨

10/01/2025

New Blog Post! Wine & Wintering: Lessons from the Blue Zone Island of Ikaria

In this blog, we relate the Greek myth of Demeter & Persephone to the cycles of our own lives and the quiet wisdom of nature as a steady mirror to our souls.

"There is resilience in the way Demeter reacts to this new eternal compromise with Hades. She rejoices when it's time to rejoice and mourns when it's time to mourn. There is no resisting, no distraction, no self-talk guilting herself into being more productive or more social. There is wisdom in the cycle of life and death, grief and joy, blooming and decaying."

✨Link is here:✨ https://odysseyofwinetours.com/wine-and-wintering-lessons-from-the-blue-zone-island-of-ikaria/

07/01/2025

Winter landscapes of Ikaria, Greece. No matter the season, the beauty of the island remains eternal. ✨

03/01/2025

From grape to glass, every part of the winemaking process at Afianes Wines is personal and precious. 🍇

That is why we are so proud to partner with this family that has dedicated their lives to upholding the beautiful tradition of Ikarian wine. From hand-harvesting, to stomping by foot in the granite press, to burying the wine in amphorae underground, and hand-dipping each bottle in wax, these wines have been touched with the utmost care and reverence for their island.

When you drink these wines, you are drinking a legacy of love 🍷❤️

If you would like to experience these wines for yourself, join us on the ultimate Blue Zone wine adventure this summer!

2025 Dates:
May 26th- June 2nd
June 9th- June 16th
June 23rd- June 30th

30/12/2024

Feeling the winter blues? Book a tour to the island of Ikaria with us for this summer!🌊☀️🍷

Turquoise waters and wine of the gods await you…

2025 Tour Dates:
May 26th- June 2nd
June 9th- June 16th
June 23rd- June 30th

odysseyofwinetours.com

27/12/2024

New Blog Post! Discover the traditional Christmas and New Year’s celebrations of this special Blue Zone island 🍷✨

Food, wine, music, dancing, and the bonding of multiple generations are all essential parts of creating a longevity culture.

✨Link is here: https://odysseyofwinetours.com/winter-celebrations-on-the-blue-zone-island-of-ikaria/

We hope that you all enjoy your holidays with your family and create beautiful new memories ❤️ Cheers! 🥂

odysseyofwinetours.com

23/12/2024

The gorgeous view from Koskina Castle, looking out at Ikaria, the land of wine and legends…✨🍷✨

odysseyofwinetours.com

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18/12/2024

Ikaria has always been associated with the ancient god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus. Legend has it that the god was born in a cave on the island, where he was nursed by nymph-nannies that took care of him.

In ancient times, many of the villages on the island were wine-related or named in reverence of Dionysus. Ancient pottery fragments, coins, and amphorae have also historically been found here, giving some insight into just how important this god was (and still is 😉🍷) to the Ikarian islanders.

Today, you can still visit the incredible Cave of Dionysus. Though the roof of the cave has fallen in, you can still explore the shallow entrance of the cave and swim in the beautiful beach of Iero.

odysseyofwinetours.com

16/12/2024

Ancient-style winemaking methods at

After the grapes are pressed by foot in the granite press, they undergo an open air fermentation with the natural yeast from the vineyard.

Then, they are transferred by a natural gravity system into these pitharia, clay amphorae, where the wine is stored underground for 9 months.

The amphorae are sealed with a stone slab by a paste made of water and ash. This way, the wine is protected from both debris and oxidation.

This is a fascinating method that has been used for millennia, and continues the beautiful expression of Ikarian wine ✨🍷✨

10/12/2024

New Blog Post! Immortality of Ikaria: Myths of the Blue Zone Island

Explore the allegorical and philosophical meaning of the myth of Icarus, from whom the island claims its namesake. Read on to unite myth with reality, history with modernity, and to soar into the heights of fearless bliss like dear Icarus.

In the immortal words of the poet Jack Gilbert in his magnificent poem, Failing and Flying, “I believe Icarus was not failing as he fell, but just coming to the end of his triumph.”

✨Link is here: https://odysseyofwinetours.com/immortality-of-ikaria-myths-of-the-blue-zone-island/

odysseyofwinetours.com

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06/12/2024

A glass of atop the granite press in which it was made. Every harvest, the grapes are thrown into the traditional granite press and are stomped gently by foot, allowing for a softer extraction of tannin structure. A beautiful tradition that has been done for millennia, and results in authentic and delicious wine. Yamas!

odysseyofwinetours.com

04/12/2024

Sky so wide and heart so full🍷✨🍷

odysseyofwinetours.com

02/12/2024

This is Koskina Castle, a 10th century Byzantine fortress looming high in the center of Ikaria. Historically, Ikaria was a target of pirates plaguing the Aegean. The fortress was built as a viewpoint in which to spot incoming attacks from invaders. Today, it remains a symbol of Ikarian resilience and an important part of the island’s history.

odysseyofwinetours.com

29/11/2024

Autumn’s majestic colors in the vineyards. We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving gathering together with friends and family (and hopefully lots of delicious wine!) Cheers🍷✨🍷

odysseyofwinetours.com

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Raches

Telephone

+13072280685

Website

http://odysseyofwinetours.com/

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Videos

Biodynamic Winemaking at Afianes Wines

From grape to glass, every part of the winemaking process at Afianes Wines is personal and precious. 🍇 That is why we are so proud to partner with this family that has dedicated their lives to upholding the beautiful tradition of Ikarian wine. From hand-harvesting, to stomping by foot in the granite press, to burying the wine in amphorae underground, and hand-dipping each bottle in wax, these wines have been touched with the utmost care and reverence for their island. When you drink these wines, you are drinking a legacy of love 🍷❤️ If you would like to experience these wines for yourself, join us on the ultimate Blue Zone wine adventure this summer! 2025 Dates: May 26th- June 2nd June 9th- June 16th June 23rd- June 30th

Taste the Legacy, Live the Longevity ✨ Book your Summer 2025 tour today! 2025 Tour Dates: May 26th- June 2nd June 9th- June 16th June 23rd- June 30th odysseyofwinetours.com #ikaria #greece #bluezones #livelongerbetter #slowtourism #slowliving #slowlife #biodynamicwine #biodynamic #rawwine #greekwines #greekfood #longevity #bluezoneskitchen #winetourism

Our Spring/Summer 2025 tour dates are LIVE! May 26th-June 2nd June 9th-June 16th June 23rd-June 30th Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! We cannot wait to explore the beauty of Ikaria and Ikarian wine with you on this special Blue Zones wine tour. ✨🌊🍷✨ Itinerary and details are in our bio 😎 odysseyofwinetours.com #ikaria #greece #bluezones #naturalwine #biodynamicwine #livelongerbetter #winelover #winetourism #winetourismgreece #travel

Live like the Blue Zones, romanticize a slow life ✨ odysseyofwinetours.com #ikaria #greece #bluezones #naturalwine #rawwine #afianeswines #liveslowly #livewell #slowlife #slowfood #organicfood #bluezoneskitchen

Summers are magic on Ikaria… join us for a tour in Spring & Summer of 2025 to see for yourself 😉 odysseyofwinetours.com #ikaria #greece #bluezone #liveauthentic #naturalwine #rawwine

Ikaria is waiting for you✨ Discover the magic of this Blue Zone island as we explore the local food, wine, longevity, and culture of Ikaria. Upcoming tours this fall! odysseyofwinetours.com #bluezones #ikaria #travelgreece #heathylifestyle #longevity

The wild beauty of Ikaria island. Join us for a Blue Zones wine adventure this fall! odysseyofwinetours.com #bluezones #ikaria #travelgreece #slowtourism #naturalwine