Exploration of the Nemea Region
Greece • June 13, 2026 • Day 3 of 16
Today would have been Carole and Bob's 62nd anniversary, and for those of you who have met Carole... knowing that we spent part of the day at a winery in Greece would have been a thrill for her. Add to that, it is National Rosé wine day!!
Mycenean Acropolis of Tiryns
Our first stop was at the archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. They have been inscribed upon the World Heritage List and named a UNESCO site in 1999. The two most important centers of the Mycenaean culture dominated the Eastern Mediterranean from the 15th to the 12th centuries B.C. and played a vital role in the development of the culture of Classical Greece. The two citadels are indissolubly linked with the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, that affected European art and literature for more than three millennia.
"Are we at the right place?"
When we entered the parking lot, we were the only car there at 10AM, reinforcing that we were experiencing an area of Greece that is not often traveled by most tourists.
🏛️ Fun Fact: Tiryns predates the Parthenon by over 1,000 years.
Argos & Barafakas Winery
We made a short stop into Argos, and visited the city center. Argos is a former municipality in the Peloponnese region of Greece, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We were able to see the Ancient Theater, and then walked through the town visiting many shops as well as an expansive flea market, farmers market and flower market. After a quick gelato, we made our way towards Barafakas Winery.
Barafakas is a family-owned estate renowned for its dedication to the Agiorgitiko grape, a variety that thrives in the unique terroir of Nemea. Nearly all of the wines that they bottle are single origin, and they produce about 500k bottles a year.
We were able to meet Christos Barafakas, and he autographed a book for us, and introduced us to our host Elizabeth. We were fortunate enough to have a private tasting in their cellars, and sampled about 7 of their premium labels.
What's Next
Tomorrow we hope to have a late check-out and start making our way to the hustle and bustle of Athens, about two hours away, joining up with the 12 other members of our travel group. More to follow!
— David