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Mercouri Estate

Mercouri Estate is one of the most historic wineries of Greece (maybe the most historic of its size), since its vineyard began to form around 1864, while from the end of the 19th century it was already exporting wine. Even the variety refosco which has been imported and cultivated by Mercouri Estate since 1870 was locally “named” “merkouri” or “merkoureiko” due to the influence and the importance of the winery in the area. Its history, however, is only one of its fabulous features.

Mercouri Estate, which is nowadays managed by the 4th and 5th generation of the Mercouri – Kanellakopoulos family, is one of the most reliable Greek wineries, as far as the quality of the wines is concerned over the years. The range includes 13 different wines made from indigenous and international grape varietals cultivated in the Estate plus an extra virgin olive oil made from the Estate’s privately-owned olive groves. It is also definitely one of the most beautiful ones, as far as the landscape and the architecture of its buildings are concerned, which have a colonial and Italian influence. In other words, it is a winery-model for wine tourism.

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS

  • Why it’s worth visiting:
    Because Mercouri Estate is among the most beautiful wineries of Greece, a challenge for the visitor, with its landscape forming through the thick vegetation and many animals it hosts. However its buildings are also wonderful. Except the winery and the stone facilities of the old buildings, with tiled roofs and Italian influences, there is a small church and a folk museum with many old viticulture and winemaking tools displayed. The most impressive building, however, which literally adorns the space, is a colonial style villa, from 1870, a manor house and the family’s residence. Although you cannot visit it inside it is lovely to see even only from the outside. The visitors have the chance to tour around the wine production facilities, vineyards and olive groves of the estate, as well as the small museum, walk down the wooded slope to the beautiful beach and enjoy the products of the Estate under the old pine trees, with views to the Ionian Sea and the island of Zante. Mercouri Estate also produces an extra virgin olive oil while it is situated in a prime area, close to excellent beaches and fairly near to Ancient Olympia.
  • Open days & hours:
    Open to visitors all year round, Monday to Saturday, 09:00 – 15:00.
  • Tour:
    Of the vineyard, winery, cellar, tasting room and the small folklore museum of agricultural tools and documents of the Estate.
  • Tour duration:
    30-90 minutes
  • Tour languages:
    Greek, English, French
  • Tour cost:
    4 € per person + 2 € per wine
  • Tasting room:
    The tasting room in Mercouri Estate is fully equipped and can host 50 or more people at the same time.
  • Number of wines tasted:
    Upon request
  • Wine shop:
    Mercouri Estate has a special wine shop (with a discount of around 20% on market prices) in which it sells wines that are not on the market as well, the extra virgin olive oil of its own production and wine books (Mercouri Estate Publications). It offers special packaging and shipping of wines in Greece and abroad.
  • Credit card:
    Yes
  • Label number:
    13
  • Green practices:
    Yes
  • Annual production:
    120,000 – 130,000 bottles
  • Parking:
    Yes
  • Children reception:
    Mercouri Estate offers a treat for children but there is no special play room for them during the tour.
  • Accesible by people with disabilities:
    Yes
  • Free WiFi:
    Yes