The history of wine is indelibly linked to the history of Greek civilization, as it has always been an integral part of the ancient Greek diet, along with bread and olive oil. Cooking utensils, containers and other findings dating back almost 3,500 years from archaeological sites in Crete, Santorini, and other Cycladic islands of Mycenaean civilization, reveal the continuous production and trade of wine; always diluted with water, wine was said to gladden the heart and liven up conversations! Wine consumption continued unabated throughout Roman and Byzantine times until today, and even during periods of severe economic strife, wine never ceased to be an integral part of Greek socialization and diet.
The Greek province of Attica is a rare case where vineyards and wineries are located so close and sometimes even within the urban infrastructure. With a history that spans over 3,000 years, this winemaking region is truly special! Savatiano is Atticas's most widely planted and characteristic grape variety, covering 65,000 acres of land and with numerous wineries spread across the region. In addition to Savatiano, the Rhoditis, Assyrtiko, and Malagousia varieties are also extremely popular.
Some of the most important vineyards in Attica are Kokotos Estate in Stamata, Markou Vineyards in Paiania, Mylonas Winery in Keratea, Papagiannakos Domaine in Markopoulo and Anastasia Fragou’s Winery in Rafina. All of these wineries are open to the public and fulfill the requirements needed to host visitors who can participate in wine-tasting activities and purchase wines of their choice. These vineyards form a network called “Athens Wine Road Wineries”, which was created by the winemakers themselves in order to bring more awareness to the vineyards and grape varieties of the province of Attica. "Athens Wine Road Wineries" has a vision of connecting the vineyards of Attica with its abundant archaeological sites, affording visitors to savor an incredible journey through history.