Make wine (Wein machen)

According to Greek mythology, Ikaria is one of the possible birthplaces of the god Dionysus.

Dionysus, who was a son of Zeus, is known as the god of wine, joy, grapes, fertility, madness, and ecstasy. He is said to have shown people how to cultivate grapes here, and in fact, Ikaria has been famous for its wine since antiquity.

The tradition of winemaking continues to this day, and yesterday I got to partake in it a little myself.

As I was returning from Therma, I met my landlady in the small chapel next to my holiday house. She was cleaning and tidying up the small space with its holy images and other sanctities. I didn't take any photos because I found it a bit too intimate. While I stood there for a moment in awe of the atmosphere, she told me (I believe!) that the priest unfortunately hardly visits the chapel anymore and she always has to go to other places when she wants to attend a service.

I had actually planned to just grab my charging cable from the holiday house and then get something to eat again in Evdilos at the port.

But Maria told me that her brother, who lives next door, would start making wine at six o'clock. I really understood that, as all the relevant vocabulary of the information has actually already partially made its way into my (at least passive) vocabulary 😊

I then changed my plan in that I first did some laundry and waited for έξι η ώρα.

When the big pressing started, boxes full of white grapes were gradually thrown into the mobile press and landed in a 1x1m basin (where olives had been pressed three days earlier). In it stood Maria's boyfriend in rubber boots, treading on the squished grapes. Now and then, the drain was opened, and the grape juice flowed by the liter into a blue plastic barrel, filtered through a cloth resting in a basket. I think one could not sell the product at least in Germany.

My help consisted of not getting in the way and occasionally passing along a bucket of grape juice. I was constantly supplied with far too many delicious grapes, got to taste the juice directly, and was a source of amusement for the working family because of my white T-shirt (yes, I know what λευκό πουκάμισο means 😂).

It will take about two to three months until the wine is ready. What happens in the meantime was explained to me through hand gestures. And feet, which is why I can't really convey that well.

It was definitely a really nice experience, which I later celebrated extensively with fava and grilled dorade.