The wines of Attica took center stage on Monday, April 27, during the “Taste Athens” showcase event held at the Athens Marriott Hotel, bringing together key stakeholders from the hospitality, gastronomy, and wine sectors.

“Taste Athens” is a joint initiative by hoteliers, restaurateurs, wine producers, and regional authorities aimed at extending the tourism season across the Attica region through wine-focused experiences.

The event is part of a broader strategy to position hospitality, gastronomy, and wine culture as key pillars of Attica’s identity and international appeal.

A conference held during the event focused on strengthening the connection between the agri-food sector and tourism, supporting local production, and leveraging the Attica vineyard as a strategic advantage in promoting the region abroad.

Opening the event, Master of Wine Yiannis Karakasis, founder of Great Greek Wines, presented the dynamics, prospects, and growing role of the Attica vineyard in shaping the modern tourist and gastronomic experience. This was followed by a panel discussion titled “Joining Forces: Hospitality, Gastronomy and Wine as a Driving Force for Development.”

“Athens is dynamically evolving into a modern, premium city-break destination with international appeal and an increasingly distinct identity,” said Evgenios Vassilikos, President of the Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hoteliers Association. “The city’s hotels are investing in upgrading hospitality, focusing on quality, authenticity, and the connection with local culture.”

“Wine tourism, and especially the Attica vineyard, can be a strong comparative advantage in enhancing this experience, offering a multidimensional and authentic narrative to the visitor. Through the connection of hotels with local production and gastronomy, we actively contribute to the diversification of the tourism product and further strengthen the effort to establish ourselves as a 12-month destination,” he added.

Stamatis Mylonas, CEO Winemakers of Attica, said the goal is to bring Attica wine to “where choices are truly made: in catering and hospitality”.

“In a dynamic market like Athens, with millions of visitors each year, Attica wine must be present not just as a choice, but as a proposition,” he said. “Through targeted actions, such as training professionals, increasing the presence of Attica wines on wine lists, and establishing institutions such as the ‘Athens Wine Experience Month’, we are investing in the creation of a new culture around Attica wine.”

The event was jointly organized by New Metropolitan Attica, the Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hoteliers Association, the Winemakers of Attica, and Attica Gastronomy, with the support of the Attica Region.

The showcase concluded with an open discussion and a tasting of more than 60 Attica wine labels. Participants has the chance to meet 26 local wine producers and explore new business collaborations.