Achaia Clauss

Achaia Clauss Wine Co. was founded by Gustav Clauss, a native Bavarian, who in 1854 decided to settle in Patras after a business trip to the region. He was so enthused with the beauty of Greece's natural landscape, especially of Patras, Achaia, which is located in the northwest Peloponnese. According to his diary and other reports, he discovered "a paradise of vineyards which covered the surrounding hills of Patras, which he thought must certainly produce the best wine. Hence, he built a castle and within its walls he made a wine factory." His first wine was Mavrodaphne, a transplant from the Ionian Islands. It has been said that it was his Iberian approach to vinification and his love for sweet wine that made Mavrodaphne a successful crop in the region and subsequently, an appellation wine. Mavrodaphne and Muscat of Patras were first produced in 1854 for himself and friends. While the winery was built in 1861, it was not until 1873 that he introduced Mavrodaphne and Muscat in cork-finished bottles. In 1880, Demestica was introduced from the village of Demestiha. In 1901, Demestica became the first bottled dry wine of Greece.

Achaia Clauss found 217 km. from Athens, 126km from ancient Olympia. The hours of visiting is 10.-17.00 all the days of the year plus Sundays, with few exceptions the major national holidays.