Lafazanis Winery: Where there is a passion for wine

By 9 AM we were on the bus and off we went to Nemea wine country. Our first stop was at Lafazanis Winery in Archaies Kleones (ancient Cleonae), about an hour from Athens. The family’s wine making history dates back 70 years, when Vassilis Lafazanis started making wine in Piraeus. Later, in 1960, their first family-owned winery was established in Magoula, Attica. Then in 1993, Spyros Lafazanis, who grew up steeped in a winemaking tradition, decided to establish a winery in Nemea. Nemea was an area he had grown to love from the very beginning of his oenologist career. Today this Nemea winery is a state-of-the-art facility, with a production capacity of approximately 4 million liters annually (80% is sold in Greece, with 20% exported to 10 countries). When we arrived here our #winelover community was about to experience the best of Nemea wine country.

Tasting Room, Lafazanis Winery, Nemea  © Spaswinefood

Lafazanis Winery is in the Nemea PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), in the northeastern corner of the Peloponnese Peninsula. Peloponnese, the largest vineyard area in Greece, represents around 31% of wine production. The region is home to 24 PGIs and 10 PDOs, with eight main subregions: Argolis, Arcadia, Achaia, Ilia, Corinthia, Laconia, Messinia, and Kefalonia. The subregions of Corinthia and Argolis are known as the Nemea appellation, one of the most highly respected PDOs in Southern Greece.

Welcome to Lafazanis Winery

Welcome to Lafazanis Winery © Spaswinefood

Upon arrival at the winery #winelovers were greeted by the Lafazanis team.

Spyros Lafazanis (Left) Greets #Winelovers © Spaswinefood

Vassilis Lafazanis (left) Welcomes #Winelovers © Spaswinefood

Immediately, we discovered an inviting, state-of-the-art winery. First, we toured the wine cellar.

Barrel Room, Lafazanis Winery © Spaswinefood

 During our visit Luiz Alberto made sure Spyros and Vassilis Lafazanis became honorary #winelovers.

Spyros Lafazanis Recieving #Winelover Pin © Spaswinefood

Vassilis Lafazanis Recieving #Winelover Pin © Spaswinefood

After learning about the wine making process we were then introduced to their award winning wines.

Tasting Lafazanis Wines © Spaswinefood

Lafazanis: The Best of Nemea Wines

The winery, located in a highly respected PDO, produces some of the most diverse and complex wines. Nemea PDO is well known for its Agiorgitiko and Moscofilero wines. The region is also known of its Roditis, Moschato, Mavrodaphne and Korinthiaki wines. Lafazanis uses handpicked organic grapes from selected local varieties to produce high quality wine. Their estate vineyard, at an altitude of 240 – 500 meters, surrounding the winery is mainly planted with Agiorgitiko, Cabernet Sauvignon, Assyrtiko, Gewürztraminer, Tannat, and Syrah. The vineyard focuses on the production of small yields that favor quality wine. Besides their privately owned vineyards Lafazanis also has contracted winegrowers who provide for them with quality grapes. 

During our visit we were introduced to the following wines. 

1. Lafazanis Winery, Geometria Assyrtiko 2021

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 Geometria Assyrtiko 2021 © Spaswinefood

2. Lafazanis Winery, Geometria Malagouzia 2021

Our Host Pouring Geometria Malagouzia 2021 © Spaswinefood

Geometria Malagouza 2021 © Spaswinefood

3. Nestor, Fileri Rosé

Nestor, Fileri Rosé © Spaswinefood

This rosé wine is produced by Nestor Winery S.A. a relatively new enterprise. It was established in 2015 and is the result of a groundbreaking partnership between the Nestor Agricultural & Winemaking Cooperative of Messinia, and the Spyros Lafazanis Family in Nemea. 

We toasted with a glass of Fileri Rosé to celebrate National Rosé Day. Throughout our day in Nemea we would do a number of toasts to celebrate National Rosé Day.

Next, we were introduced to two Lafazanis Agiorgitiko wines.

Lafazanis, Agiorgitiko Wines © Spaswinefood

The fist was a Nemea Agiorgitiko.

4. Lafazanis, Nemea Agiorgitiko 2017

Smiles & Nemea Agiorgitiko 2017  © Spaswinefood

YES, our hosts poured the wines and spoiled us big time!

Nemea Agiorgitiko 2017 © Spaswinefood

We concluded with a Geometria Agiorgitiko.

5. Lafazanis, Geometria Agiorgitiko 2021

Lafazanis, Geometria Agiorgitiko 2021 © Spaswinefood

Tasting these award winning was an amazing experience for me. What I loved about this particular wine tasting was, everyone pouring the wines that day was passionate about sharing the wines with us.

Sharing Lafazanis Wines with #Winelovers © Spaswinefood

It was indeed beyond delightful to enjoy these wines.

Lafazanis Wines © Spaswinefood

#Winelovers Enjoying Lafazanis Wines © Spaswinefood

Besides discovering great wines along the way you will find many interesting sites to check out in Peloponnese.

Travels in Pelopennese © Spaswinefood

Thank You, Lafazanis Winery © Spaswinefood

Thank you Lafazanis Winery for being such wonderful hosts and sharing your passion for wine. Travelers to Athens should note that Nemea's Lafazanis Winery is an absolute must. Lafazanis wines are available in the US at Dionysos Imports Inc. As a member of the #winelover community I delighted in discovering the best of Nemea wine country. Now is the time to explore Greek Wines! I invite you to join me in my wine adventures in Greece at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood  on  Twitter and Facebook. 

Yamas!

Sharon

June 2022

Athens, Greece

© Spaswinefood

Lafazanis Winery © Spaswinefood

#Winelover Time, Lafazanis Winery © Spaswinefood

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