OVERVIEW
Enjoy a wine tour around Kavala
The vineyards near Kavala offering wine tasting and cellar tours are one of the best-kept secrets of northeastern Greece. In summer, they make a great addition to your beach holidays and in the spring and autumn, they can be combined with nature activities and visiting the villages on the slopes of Mount Pangaio. Either way, you’ll gain an added appreciation for a fascinating and beautiful corner of Greece.
The Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans all left their mark on Kavala and the wider region. But winemaking here predates them all. The remains of pressed grapes on jars unearthed at nearby Dikili Tash (an ancient settlement near Philippi) have been dated to Neolithic times, making them the oldest traces of wine production in Europe.
For Ancient Greeks, who are known to have inherited the art of winemaking from the Phoenicians, Mount Pangaio was the site of the sanctuary of Dionysus (the god of wine and drama). It became a centre of Dionysian worship, of which wine was an integral part.
This legacy continued into Byzantine times and is still alive today with the wineries on the southern slopes of Mount Pangaio, two of which are included in the Wine Route of Dionysus, an initiative of the Winemakers of Northern Greece (the association of wine producers in Macedonia, Thrace and Epirus). The route includes cultural landmarks such as the Archaeological Site of Philippi. But you can just as easily create your own tour of the wineries and cultural attractions near Kavala (see below for suggestions).
Cooled by the Aegean Sea breeze in the summer and sheltered by the southern slopes of Mount Pangaio in the winter, the vineyards around Kavala have made a name for themselves in cultivating Greek grape varieties such as Roditis, Assyrtiko, Lemnio and Agiorgitiko as well as European favourites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Their impressive whites (dry and sweet), roses (dry and semi-dry) reds (dry and semi-dry) have led to both Pangaio and Kavala being given Protected Geographical Indication status.
* See the Get Planning section below for more details on wineries offering wine tasting and vineyard & cellar tours near Kavala
DON'T MISS
A wine tour around Kavala
You’ll enjoy it if you visit any of the wineries on the slopes of Mount Pangaio, but the best experience is to combine a wine tour around Kavala with some of the region’s cultural highlights.
Archaeological site of Philippi
The Archaeological site of Philippi, 25 minutes north of Kavala, contains the remains of the fortified city founded by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, in the 4th century BC. It is an extensive archaeological site, including an ancient theatre and a museum, and sets the scene for one of Macedonia’s most important ancient cities. It was also the site of a pivotal battle of the Roman Empire and was visited by the Apostle Paul in 1st century AD. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wine lovers will also be interested to know that traces of wine have been found on ceramics dating to 4200 BC at the nearby prehistoric settlement of Dikili Tash, changing how we view the Neolithic age. You’ll find exhibits from Dikili Tash in the Archaeological Museum of Kavala.
The city of Anaktoropolis
The Byzantine city Anaktoropolis is one of the most important historical landmarks near Kavala. Situated near Nea Peramos, it was built on the site of the ancient city of Oisyme, that was founded in the 7th century BC and was mentioned in Homer’s Iliad. Only a few remnants of the city walls and of a temple remain but we know that the city’s economy was based on agriculture and viticulture was especially important in the area known as Vivlia. The wine it produced was called Vivlinon and has inspired the name of the Biblia Chora Estate, near the village of Kokkinochori. The fortified remains we see today are of the Byzantine city, which developed from 10th to the 14th-15th century, when it was abandoned by the Ottomans. The views of Eleftheron Bay alone are worth the journey.
Apollonia Tower
Another (this time later) Byzantine-period construction with wonderful sea views is found on the coastal road between Kavala and Thessaloniki, between Amphipolis and Nea Peramos. The Tower of Apollonia dates from around the 14th century and stands proudly on the hill above sandy Folia beach. It held an important strategic position between the Byzantine city-castles of Chrysopolis and Anaktoropolis. The tower’s stone projections were for the guards to fire from or from which to throw hot water or oil on their enemies when they lacked ammunition.
The Archaeological Museum of Kavala
The Archaeological Museum of Kavala houses a wide range of artefacts from Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, presenting the history of Kavala and the surrounding region, from the foundation of the city in the 7th century BC (Neapolis) to the end of the Byzantine period (Christopolis). As well as sculptures, coins and a large collection of vases and figurines, the museum includes remains of a magnificent 5th century BC Ionic temple to the goddess of Neapolis, built with the famous white marble of Thassos. Complementing your tour of the wineries around Kavala are the Neolithic period artefacts from the Dikili Tash, with traces of 6,000-year-old wine.
The Acropolis of Kavala
A stroll through the old town is the best way to explore the history and traditions of Kavala. The highlight (literally) comes when you reach the Acropolis (or Fortress) at the top of the Panagia district. From here, there are views over the sea and the city, including the famous Kamares aqueduct (originally Roman and later Ottoman). The Acropolis of Kavala was built at the beginning of the 15th century over a Byzantine acropolis on the same spot (destroyed at the end of the previous century). It served as a fortress to control the trade route through the city. Remains include the central circular tower (with the best views), ammunition and food stores (later converted into a prison), the guardhouse and a cistern.
GET PLANNING
What is the best way to get to Kavala?
Kavala has an airport with year-round direct flights from Athens and direct international flights in the summer months. It is also an easy drive (171km, 1hr 50min) from the international airport of Thessaloniki.
How do you get to the wineries of Kavala?
- Hiring a car is the best way tour the wineries of Mount Pangaio. It also gives you the greatest flexibility to enjoy all the things to do in Kavala.
- There are also organised wine tours from Kavala that include selected archaeological sites.
Wineries you can visit and distances from Kavala
- Biblia Chora Estate – Kokkinochori (55km)
- Nico Lazaridi Mackedon Winery – Platanotopos (41km)
- Estate Chatzigeorgiou – Kariani (54km)
- Ampeloeis – Eleftheres (38km)
- Tsikrikonis Winery – Myrtofito (32km)
- Simeonidis Estate – Elechori (25km)
Wine is the best time of year for a wine tour of Kavala?
- The wineries close to Kavala are open to visitors all year round.
- The best experience is to visit in April-May, when the vineyards near Kavala come to life and the weather is often ideal for other activities on Mount Pangaio, or in late-August and September during the harvest and bottling period. These are also the best times of year to enjoy holidays in Kavala with fewer people.
Each spring (usually at the end of May), the Wine Roads of Northern Greece (whose Wine Road of Dionysus includes the Biblia Chora Estate and the Nico Lazaridi Mackedon Winery) organises its Open Cellar Doors event, where wine lovers are offered guided tours and wine tasting in participating wineries free of charge.
- Autumn
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
How long do you need for a wine tour of Kavala?
- To visit all the wineries near Kavala and the recommended cultural sites will take 3-4 days.
- You can expect to stay for 2-3 hours at each winery depending your chosen experiences (wine tasting and cellar/vineyard tour).
★★★★★
"The mild, humid climate and daily sea breeze ripens high-quality vines. The region is one of the oldest and, today, most modern wine-growing regions in Greece - and is just beginning to develop its wine tourism."
- Birte Lindlahr, GEO Saison
"Rich in heritage, Kavala has winding alleys and miles of beach. And it makes a great base for exploring this forgotten corner of Greece. Outside of Kavala, near the village of Mesoropi in Mount Pangaio, visit the Ktima Bivlia Chora winery, owned by two of Greece’s most famous winemakers."
"Philippi – an ancient city full of secrets, 15km from Kavala, near the village of Krinides. The ancient city attracts fans of archaeology and history because it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
- Reinhard Fanslau, Reise
