The mountainous Aigialeia and the area of Kalavryta
have their own beauties

The alternative route and visits beyond the coastal zone of Aigialeia

In the summer it is difficult to leave the coolness of the sea or the pool, however the mountainous Aigialeia and the areas of Kalavryta have a cool environment and interesting places to visit.

Hence, for those who want to get to know better these 2 remarkable areas, a 2^nd route has been created, which we recommend to our guests.

Although, it is further away from that of the coastal Aigialeia, however it has wonderful landscapes with quick alternation, very green, picturesque settlements and many historical monuments.

Description of the route and visits to business members
of the Oinoxeneia Networ

The tavern “Old Market of Aigio” and the Archeological Museum

We can start from the city of Aigio and since we will visit several wineries it would be useful to have a good breakfast (maybe a brunch for the latecomers) in the tavern “Old Market of Aigio” located just opposite the renovated archeological museum (designed and built by the Bavarian architect Ziller), inside the old / picturesque part of the old town of Aigio.

It is an old family and at the same time atmospheric tavern that has beautiful outdoor areas for the summer and warm indoor areas for the winter with many photos from old Aigio.

It offers different daily dishes, depending on the season, with local recipes and fresh ingredients from Aegialeia producers.

The kind owners offer a very friendly service, but also inform in detail about the old Aigio, its neighboring historical places and about the times when the opposite museum functioned as a Municipal Market and was buzzing with life, while many films of the director Theodoros Angelopoulos were shot in its streets.

The Kintonis winery

Leaving the old Aigio and moving to its new neighborhoods we can pass by the Kintonis winery which is a family business and has been active since 1952.

Since 2006 the 3^rd generation has taken over and manages the winery producing a wide variety of wines, from their vineyards located in the mountainous Aigialeia, at altitudes of 500-1,050 m., where Greek and foreign varieties are grown.

It is a very dynamic and active wine production unit with export characteristics, where 60% of the winery’s annual production is promoted and exported in 15 countries around the world.

The modern winery “Kanakaris”

Continuing on the outskirts of Aigio and in the area of Eliki is located on the old national road Patras-Corinth the modern winery “Kanakaris“, founded in 1979.

It is again a family business run by 2 brothers and its current owners are the 3^rd generation in relation to its original founders.

The winery “Tetramythos”

Taking the provincial road Pounta / Kalavryta and bypassing Ano Diakofto we find on the right side of the road the very modern winery “Tetramythos“, whose construction was completed in 2004.

Having as an initial “yeast” a series of family vineyards, the winery www.tetramythoswines.com collaborates with local growers who have vineyards at various altitudes of 500-1,050 m in the mountainous Aigialeia and where 11 different varieties are systematically cultivated.

It is a very dynamic business that also produces certified organic wines and where 75% of the production is made from indigenous varieties, while at the same time the large percentage of 85% of the production is exported to the USA, Europe and the Far East, while it is a winery that significantly promotes quality gastronomy and wine culture.

The tavern “To Katafygio”

Proceeding to Kalavryta town and at an altitude of 900 m we meet the excellent tavern “To Katafygio” which offers a beautiful panoramic view to the entire Corinthian gulf.

It has been operating there since 1994 www.to-katafygio.gr and offers exceptional and delicious dishes of local cuisine by the fireplace, using exclusively local products from the areas of Aigialeia and Kalavryta.

The “Katafygio” tavern operates throughout the year and beyond the Greek cuisine offers dishes with local hunting.

“Mega Spilaio” Vineyard (Τhe “Great Vine”)

Continuing towards Kalavryta and on the right side we meet in a big gorge the “Great Vine” which is located geographically north of Kato Zachlorou.

There are reports from 1550 for this monastery vineyard, which initially had inside the monastery “Mega Spilaio” but also a winery, and then dormitories and a chapel were added for the monks of the monastery.

Thus “Mega Spilaio” operated until 1980, but then its production was downgraded, however in 1999 the shareholders of Cavino used it with extensive afforestation. Being in the gorge of Vouraikos, it is now planted with Greek and foreign varieties that produce excellent wines, especially the aging ones in oak barrels.

There are possibilities for local visits (from April onwards) in consultation with the management of the Cavino winery.

 The tavern “House of Marios”

At a distance of 5 km prior to Kalavryta we find the “House of Marios“, which is in its current location since 2015 and in a warm atmosphere and with its 2 hospitable owners offers unique dishes with local recipes, using only local products (so the menu is expected to be changing depending the season,

In addition to local wines it offers local beer, while also having special dishes for vegetarians.

The tavern of “Antonis and Polys”

At a distance of 3 km after the historic monastery of the Great Cave and making a diversion from the provincial road of Kalavryta we enter the lower part of the gorge of Vouraikos in the direction of Kato Zachlorou and the river runs next to us, sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left.

Our direction is the beautiful traditional settlement in Kato Zachlorou and next to the provincial road there is a renovated guest house that is combined with the beautiful “tavern of Antonis and Polys”, with a beautiful and warm place in winter and with many tables on the yard in summer, under the deep shade of numerous trees.

The tavern is located very close to the station of the cog train and next to the metal bridge that connects the 2 sides of Vouraikos

Local products in Kalavryta and Selianitika

It is a very hospitable place with its friendly owners offering their own recipes and local wines, for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the Vouraikos gorge.

Returning to Aigio we follow the same route (mountainous Aigialeia) and as visitors we return with many wonderful experiences and images of exceptional landscapes from the sides of Chelmos and the Corinthian gulf.

At the same time, we urge our guests to visit 2 specialized shops that sell local products in Kalavryta and Selianitika, which are of high quality and very tasty. Thus, they can try them on the spot and decide on their purchases after being convinced and satisfied.

We also provide relevant information with examples of purchases from local stores in Selianitika, showing them our posts on facebook (on our Panoprima Villas account), but also referring to the website of the Oinoxenia Quality Network, which has a special section with description and photos of all traditional products from the areas of Aigialeia and Kalavryta.

Consequently, our guests leave their holiday destination being very satisfied and full of beautiful memories and various experiences from their stay in our places, thus constituting a live advertisement for Aigialeia and Kalavryta in the wider circle of friends, acquaintances and colleagues in their cities and homelands.