An increasingly decisive role is acquired by wine tourism in strengthening the Greek countryside and the local economy, as it links production with culture and tourism. On the occasion of World Wine Tourism Day, today Sunday (9/11/25), it is pointed out that the Ministry of Rural Development and Food has designed a strategy for the development of the wine sector through targeted investments and synergies that upgrade the visitor’s experience in Greek wineries.
“Wine tourism is a bridge between production and experience, it keeps the countryside alive, creates added value for producers and offers visitors an authentic way to get to know the place,” said the General Secretary of Rural Development and Food, Spyros Protopsaltis, to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency.
At the “heart” of the policy are the financial tools of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027, which aim to support the income of winegrowers, upgrade the quality of Greek wine and strengthen the sector’s resilience against the effects of the climate crisis.
For example, annually: 8.43 million euros are allocated for Restructuring and Conversion of Vineyards, 7.2 million euros for Investments of Winery Businesses, with eligible expenses for exhibition and tasting rooms, 1.4 million euros for information actions within the EU. and 5 million euros for promotion in third countries. “With these tools, we strengthen the core of quality and create the conditions for a comprehensive wine tourism experience,” emphasizes Mr. Protopsaltis.
The dynamism of wine tourism is also reflected in the numbers: Greece has over 1,200 wineries, according to data from EDOAO/Wines of Greece, while more and more obtain the Tourism Ministry’s Visitable Winery Label. Greek wine exports remain stable at close to 100 million euros per year, with the main markets being Germany (26.53 million euros), the USA (18.99 million euros) and Canada (9.61 million euros), according to ELSTAT.
In addition, the country’s wineries are transformed into places of experience and culture, shaping reception, exhibition and tasting spaces. “We support businesses that open their doors to the world; the visitable vineyard and winery become living cells of local development and culture,” notes Mr. Protopsaltis.
However, the climate crisis continues to put pressure on the viticultural population, with drought and prolonged heatwaves reducing production and causing abandonment trends. “We are fighting to ensure that not a single acre of our historic vineyards is lost and that young people remain in the countryside with sustainable prospects. Greece is not a country of overproduction and will not accept further shrinking of its vineyard, especially where there are no alternative crops”, points out the governor. of the HYPAAT.
At the governance level, wine tourism gains institutional depth through the Ministry of Tourism’s Wine Tourism Council, in which YPAAT officials also participate.
The mission of the Council is the promotion of Greek vineyards, visitable wineries and production units, as well as the formulation of proposals for sustainable development. “The Wine Tourism Council is the table where planning becomes a joint matter – the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Rural Development & Food and industry bodies sit together to take wine tourism to the next level,” says Mr. Protopsaltis to APE-MPE.
Finally, the YPAAT’s contribution is strengthened through LEADER/CLLD programs and the Recovery Fund, which support agritourism actions, mobilize private investments and strengthen local networks. “We want more vineyards to visit, more wine routes and modern tasting centers, integrated into a sustainable tourism product that respects the landscape and the producer” concluded the General Secretary.