Babis Tsalkos is a typical case where the creator’s reputation exceeds that of the creation (Ktima Oenogenesis).
Having worked for a number of years as Nico Lazaridis’s head oenologist and creator of “Magiko Vouno”, with studies on wine making in France, Tsalkos spent those last years on his own project, Oenogenesis Estate, in his home town of Doxato, Drama.
Distance from the Hotel: 15km
Ktima Pavlidi is located in kokinogia, Drama, on the hill side of Mount Falakro, not far from Aggitis Cave and the ski center of Mount Falakro.
Established in 1998 by Christoforos Pavlidis, whose persistent serch led him to this side of Drama where he installed his winery.
Website: www.ktima-pavlidis.gr
Distance from the Hotel: 19km
The people at Ktima Techni Inou share an everlasting enthusiasm about making high quality wines that is perfectly expressed in the winery’s labels.
That passion for perfection led to the creation of exceptional wines that were loved.
Website: www.wineart.gr
Distance from the Hotel: 7km
Simeonidis Winery has an enviable team-all sharing the same passion for producing quality wine-of university-trained oenologists and experts in viticulture.
The winery makes wine using grapes from its own vineyard, comprising 7 hectares (17.3 acres), and from vineyards owned by local farmers. Taking advantage of the finest raw material and being encouraged by their collaboration with a great number of faithful to the tradition vineyard cultivators, they produce wines characterized by high-quality standards.
Website: www.simeonidiswinery.gr
Distance from the Hotel: 52km
Estate Chatzigeorgiou was founded in 1952 by Vasileios Chatzigeorgiou, a pioneer and visionary farmer. He conducted a private land redistribution and formed an estate of 18.5 acres in Kariani.
Website: www.estatechatzigeorgiou.com
Distance from the Hotel: 59km
Konstantinos Lalikos owns an impressive land planted, exclusively, with French varieties and located on one of the highest Paggaio points, at a height of 750 meters. The new winery of the family enterprise was completed before the vintage of 2005 and is situated in the region of Palaia Kavala. The wines produced here, exhibit a character expressing the distinguishing qualities of the cultivated varieties Viognier, Grenache rouge, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet, Merlot, Muscat Blanc, Tannat, Syrah and Sauvignon, as well as the regional terroir and the mastery and temperament of the winemaker.
Distance from the Hotel: 36km
2 January
The custom of Momoyeri is revived every year after New Year’s Day. It’s a type of folk pantomime that used to take place in a number of villages in the area of Pontos (the area around the Black Sea). The participants are dressed up like old men.
Distance from the Hotel: 7km
January 6
Events here take place on the day of Epiphany. The main figures of that day are the “Arapides”, dressed in distinctive high hoods out of goat skin and heavy cow bells around their waist. After visiting door to door every house in the village, drinking alcohol and teasing everyone in sight, they end up in the main square where they take to an intense circular dancing.
Distance from the Hotel: 6km
6-7-8 January
“Bara Day” takes place on January 6th. It is the revival of an old custom in which the newly weds make a stop at the Jesus Christening Fountain for health and prosperity. “Arapides” is an age old custom with peculiar costumes and pagan festivities (drinking and dancing until you drop and cheeky behavior) while the next day (January 8th) there is a reenactment of the local wedding day and the custom of “arkoudes” takes place. The day is dedicated to the elderly mid wife which in essence reveals the parental character of the celebration.
Distance from the Hotel: 36km
6 January
On Epiphany Day and the one following that , a lot of noisy events take place that involve animal costumes, cow bells, teasing and non- stop partying!
Distance from the Hotel: 21km
6-7 January
On January 7th here in Xiropotamos, as well as Monastiraki on the same day, the day of Arapides is celebrated. The disguised Arapides knock on every door as early as the break of dawn and they don’t stop screaming and shouting and teasing everybody until very late in the night.
Distance from the Hotel: 8km
6 January
A slightly different Arapides Day celebration takes place in Pagoneri on Epiphany Day ( January 6 ), as the participants with their animal like costumes and big bells are flanked by additional characters such as the “Gupsy”, the “Bride” and the “Doctor” (hatli).
Distance from the Hotel: 54km
