Who We Are:
Hello friends! It has been a while since I have had the pleasure of publishing a “Wine Story” for Afianes Wines. My name is Mary Kate Fitzpatrick, and “Wine Stories” initially emerged as a part of my Master’s thesis project in 2021, when I first moved to Ikaria to work with the Afianes family and subsequently fell in love with both the island and its fascinating wines.
Since then, the Afianes family and I have continued our personal and professional relationship and have collaborated on our newest venture: Odyssey of Wine Tours Inc., a small wine tourism company that gives an intimate and authentic view of Ikarian wine culture and life on the island.
For those of you wondering how a New Jersey gal like me somehow ended up working at a small winery on a Greek island, it is a wonderfully weird story that you can read in full detail here. Living in Ikaria opened up my perspective to other ways of being, more present ways of moving through life that seem increasingly important in this very modern and often disparate culture we live in. In realizing the many gifts that Ikaria has given to me, I feel compelled to extend the deep lessons of the island to others who may be yearning for something similar.
I dream of a way to reconnect us to the earth, to each other, and to ourselves, and I truly believe these tours are an immersive way to do that. The intimacy of our small groups allow us to delve deep, whether it is in showcasing the beautiful wine of the Afianes family and how they continue to purvey an ancient tradition, or when we learn about the importance of eating seasonal, nourishing food à la the Blue Zones diet. Our earnest hope is that these tours enable connection, a core tenant of longevity living, and a response to that which is eternal within us, a longing to slow down our lives and open up to one another.
Throughout the rest of this blog post, I will go into more detail about what exactly Odyssey of Wine Tours Inc. offers, and I thank you deeply for following along our journey and hopefully joining us in Ikaria for our 2025 tours!
Our Travel Philosophy:
Our tours pertain to the philosophy of “slow travel,” the antithesis of mass tourism, and as such, we focus on small group tours with a maximum of ten people per tour. Slow travel seeks to understand a place in depth, unveiling layers of meaning through its sites, history, culture, food, and wine. It is a way that honors the intricate connections of each of these elements, and allows the traveler to truly immerse themselves in an authentic experience that is reciprocated by both the place and its people.
Sustainability and authenticity form an essential part of this philosophy. We are co-founded by Nikos Afianes of Afianes Wines, and as such, emphasize the environmentally-friendly practices of biodynamic farming in our Ikarian wine tours, exploring how natural wine is produced, and the beautiful and beneficial symbiotic relationship between man and nature. Additionally, we work with local businesses and artisans to support the local economy on the island, and seek to not just entertain, but to educate through authentic engagement with the people and places of the island.
Central Tour Themes: Ikarian Wine, Local Food, Culture, & Longevity
Athens to Ikaria
Our tours begin in the capital city of Athens, one of the world’s oldest cities and the heart of Western civilization. Athens is intoxicating- its history rich and fascinating, its neighborhoods warm and charming, and its food scene bursting with innovation. This is a city that is able to blend the ancient and modern in a way that envelops the traveler, inviting them to explore a myriad of interests- whether it is in studying the ancient relics at the Acropolis Museum, or meandering the city on a gastronomic food tour.
Once you land in Athens, you will meet us at the boutique hotel we have booked for you, and are given time to rest and recover from your flight. That evening, we will gather together for our welcome dinner at one of Athen’s finest restaurants, with views of the incredible Acropolis lit up in the distance. Each dinner is carefully paired with wines from the Aegean, giving you a wide understanding of the diversity of Greek wine.
The next day, we head to the Acropolis on a private tour to marvel at this wonder of Western civilization. With an experienced guide, we spend the morning learning about Ancient Greece before heading to a traditional taverna lunch. After lunch, we head to the airport for a short one-hour flight to Ikaria, our home for the rest of the week.
Exploring Longevity & Culture
In Ikaria, we first stay on the South-Eastern side of the island at the incredible Pyrgos hotel, an architectural marvel that was designed to emulate a traditional Ikarian village. Here, we will speak with a local doctor who introduces us to the concept of “The Blue Zones” and what factors contribute to longevity living.
The next day, we explore the wonder of the natural thermal springs of Ikaria, a hub of traditional healing that has been utilized since the Roman civilization populated the island. After a luxurious morning, we make our journey to our next home, the charming sea-side village of Armenistis. The hotel is situated right on the water, giving you gorgeous views of the Aegean and the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen. Depending on the dates of the tour, our accommodation will be at either Toxotis or Erofili hotel, both beautiful beach-side establishments.
The Ancient Wonder of Ikarian Wine: Afianes Estate
Ikarian wine is the main focus of our tours, and as such, we work with the incredible Afianes Wines to best showcase the rich and varied tradition of winemaking on the island. Throughout the week, we will return to the Afianes estate many times, with a different focus each time we return.
We will explore how Ikarian wines have been praised since Homer’s days, mentioned in the epic poems of The Iliad and The Odyssey, an incredible and ancient connection to our wine-drinking forebearers. We explore the methods of biodynamic farming, and the beautiful philosophy of man and nature working together in harmony. We will experience the interesting techniques of ancient-style wine production, such as foot-stomping and burying the wine in amphorae underground. We even get the rare pleasure of visiting a pre-phylloxera vineyard, a relic of a world that does not exist anymore, with ancient vines creating wines that sing of the past. And of course, we explore the symbiotic relationship of Ikarian wine with local food, delighting and discovering the culinary wonders of this longevity island.
Local Food & The Blue Zones Diet
The Blue Zones Diet is considered one of the healthiest diets in the world, and an incredibly important factor in the longevity of the native islanders. In Ikaria, we eat as the locals do, visiting the cozy, family-run tavernas as well as some of the more innovative restaurants on the island. Food carries culture, and as such, it forms an integral part on our tours. We take time to visit small cheese and honey producers on the island, participate in a cooking class to learn delicious and nourishing longevity recipes, and delve into the dynamic relationship between food and wine pairing.
2025 Tour Dates
May 26th- June 2nd
June 9th- June 16th
June 23rd- June 30th
We are thrilled to create this special tour of the island that we love. Nikos and I hope to meet you soon, and warmly invite you to Ikaria to share in the magic of wine together. The link to book a tour is here and please don’t hesitate to email me at marykate@odysseyofwinetours.com with any questions. Yamas!