The Peloponnese is several regions in one. Messinia has a long winemaking tradition, the Evrotas valley around Sparta is lined with olive groves, and in the mountains of Arcadia pie pastry is still rolled out by hand. This guide covers what to taste in each area, which producers you can book, and when to go.
Wine Tasting in Messinia
Panagiotopoulos Wines: a family winery in Pyrgaki, Messinia, working with the area's local grape varieties.
- Winery Tour & Tasting: a walk through the vineyard, the production area and the cellar, followed by a tasting of the estate's wines. About an hour.
Olive Oil Tasting near Sparta
The land around Sparta is known for its olive oil, mostly from Koroneiki and Athinolia olives.
Sparta Gourmet: an olive oil producer in Laconia.
- Olive Oil Facility Visit & Tasting: a certified food chemist walks you through production and bottling, you spend a little time in the grove, and you finish with a guided tasting. Visits run when the facility is not operating, so there is time for questions.
Traditional Bread and Pie Workshops in Arcadia
Arkadiani: in Psari Trikolonon, Arcadia, with workshops held in front of the wood-fired ovens.
- Embroidered Wedding Breads: knead dough with local women and shape the birds, flowers and fruits that decorate traditional wedding breads, then bake it in the wood oven. Three hours.
- Hand-Rolled Pie Workshop: pick vegetables and herbs from the garden and learn to roll thin pastry for a classic greens pie. Three hours.
When to Go
- Autumn: grape harvest from late August into October.
- November to January: olive harvest and fresh oil at the mills. The Arcadian mountains get cold and often see snow, so check the weather.
- Spring: the best season for the wild greens that go into the pies.
Planning Your Trip
Tripoli is about two hours from Athens, Sparta and Messinia around three. The three areas are not far apart, but mountain roads are slow. With a weekend, pick one or two and stay at least one night.
Book Your Experience
Every experience above can be booked directly on AgroVino, with no fees hidden in the final price. See all experiences in the Peloponnese →