Wine and Kings: Route of Thrones
Your wine tourism experience shall start by discovering wine and the secrets of the land of Cabeiri Gods in Samothraki Island in Thrace, a place of incomparable beauty, with an extensive history of grape growing, wine production, and wine trade. This route pays attribute to historical figures in thrones; like the Queen Arsinoe who lived part of her life in the island. Spend some time in the newly established winery of Melmar and from the city port of Alexandroupolis pass to the famous land of Kikones; an ancient tribe lived in Thrace. Meet the “New” Kikones in Domaine Kikones, a winery with organically cultivated vineyards located in Maroneia. Maroneian tradesmen and bankers excelled in the Hellenistic centers like Odessa. Famous indigenous varieties of Ismaros and Maronia will be found here.
The route will take you to the vineyards of Avdira, a place also visited by the Persian King Xerxis in 480BC. Avdira was a crossroad between the East and the West from mainland to the sea and today is one of the three most important wine making regions of Thrace. Before you reach the last throne of the route make a quick stop at Anaktoropoli (palace) of ancient Isymi in Kavala with its own currency and the famous grape variety known as “biblia ambelos” which is still produced today by the winery Biblia Chora Estate. Your wine travel leads you to the Xerxes navigable canal through the base of the Mount Athos* peninsula in Halkidiki, built in 5th century BCE. The story comes to life in a thematic park in the vineyard of Agrovision winery in Ierissos. Gaze at the Aegean and the island of Amouliani while drinking your wine on a throne. You shall choose Xerxis’s or Artemisia’s throne, the Queen of Alikarnasos and most admirable naval commander. Either way you will enjoy a unique experience.