Drinking Wine in Kefalonia

We didn't know much about Kefalonia before we came here. The Lonely Planet book on the Greek Islands only had a few pages in this island, mostly listing some restaurants and places to stay in a few of the bigger villages. But it did point out that Kefalonia has some amazing wines. We, of course, had to try them!

There was one winery on our side of the island, Foivos, that we visited. We actually visited twice but arrived the first time, after some amount of adventure on the roads -- google maps LIES, to find the winery unexpectedly closed. Bother. Oh well, we arrived again a few days later and had the place to ourselves with the owner, Theodosous. We basically got a private wine tasting, mostly because we were the only people there but really because Theodorous was such a lovely and wonderful host. 

We also took a wine tour on the other side of the island via Kefalonia Wine Tours with the lovely Ioulia (sounds like Julia but with an I). It was like spending a day with a good friend. She drove us to Omala valley which is the heart of Kefalonia and showed us her families vineyards and olive trees, both at higher and lower elevations. We would try wine later from both elevations (same grape, same year, same preparation -- two totally different wines -- both delicious). 

She then took us to her family home to show us where they make their family wine (most of their production actually goes to the local cooperative) and grappa. The building they use roughly translates to "a helpful place." We had snacks, some wine and olive oil from her family and just spent time getting to know each other. Greeks are wonderful people.

The tour didn't stop there (although we were having such a wonderful time it would have been fine if it had), Ioulia then took us to the Robola Cooperative down the road where we tasted 3 Robola wines (Robola being the main grape of this region), one from a higher elevation, one lower, and the other sweet. Fantastic wines.

Finally, we drove a little while to another little town where there was second winery who's wine maker Ioulia called "a character." We were excited. We were greeted at the winery but the owner's gorgeous dogs. One is named Czech, the other I not so sure. One is good, the other bad. Not sure which is which. Czech was very friendly, although I think he was the bad dog (maybe naughty is more appropriate). 

This winery was so quirky, we loved it. In an old stone building, musty and smelling of vinegar, filled with antiques and wine making supplies. He had a fantastic selection of wines, some interesting blends and a rather wonderfully balanced red which I wish we could have take with us. The trouble with traveling for two months -- no room to carry loads of wine with you!

We could not have asked for a more relaxing and enjoyable day drinking wine, talking and exploring with Ioulia. She was such a lovely host!