Fine Wine in the Ropa Valley

pelekas news corfu Just off a back road between Vatos and Giannades is an extensive estate, formerly the summer mansion of the Theotakis family, where recently there have been signs of increased activity. The Theotokis Estate is back in business.

The business is winemaking. The estate has been producing wine for at least 150 years, wine that a couple of decades ago was renowned as the among the best in Greece. But now, under the new management of the Antonopoulos Winery, it is set to measure up to its proud reputation.

The first vintage under the new regime is maturing in barrel. The vines are undergoing fresh cultivation methods. Technology has arrived in Ropa.

Antonopoulos co-owner Yannis Halikias has high hopes. "The grapes are top quality, and in combination with our know-how and experience, the results should be great, weather conditions permitting, we aim to be making between 30 and 35 thousand bottles."

The wine is made using ecological processes, backed up with the latest technology. The wine storerooms, like the mansion that overlooks them, are Venetian. Built in traditional style, these cellars provide ideal conditions for cask-aging the wine.

One of the cellars will soon contain a tasting area, which will be open to visitors. Halikias insists, though, that he does not want coach parties turning up for a free slug of wine. "I want to guide interested people through the whole process of winemaking, from the grape cultivation out in the fields, to enjoyment of the finished product, he says. I want to show people the traditions of Corfu, of which this is an important one."

But his vision goes beyond solely wine. To complement that side of the business, his team is in the process of establishing a mixed animal farm which will market its own products. Ecological of course

Beef cattle, hens, and sheep for feta cheese, are already being introduced. Olive oil will be produced in a genuine cold-press, and honey will come from new hives. "I want to create the infrastructure for local people to shop here for real ecological, free range produce. We'll also serve our own produce as mezes when visitors come to taste the wine."

In addition, Halikias plans a marked trail around the estate so that visitors can walk amongst the natural beauty of the forest and farmland. Groups should book in advance for a tour and tasting with nibbles. And of course they will be able to buy that great wine.

(Parts of this article originally appeared in The Corfiot magazine which is published monthly and on sale at kiosks, shops, bars and hotels around the island. Click on the link above for more information.)

Rock'n'Roll Monks play Pelekas

pelekas news corfu A controversial rock group, "Paparokades", comprised of monks from central Greece, played at the Banana Club on June 1st as part of a promotional tour before leaving to tour North America. The group of young monks from Saints Augustine and Serapheim Sarof monastery, have achieved celebrity status in Greece with a rock sound and lyrics touching on issues such as drug abuse, politics, money, globalisation, loneliness, depression, and how the road to God would save souls.

Their first album two years ago, "I Learned to Live Free", was a major hit, going platinum in just a few weeks after selling 80,000 copies. It was followed with "SOS - Save Our Souls", which also racked up tens of thousands of sales. "By Your Side", the group's third album includes two English songs - a club remix of an earlier chart-topper now called "Freedom Lies in Heaven", and the title track "By Your Side".

The monks' fame has upset the bishops of Greece's Holy Synod, the Greek church's top administrative body, who have condemned them, saying their actions are scandalous and not consistent with the practices of monastic tradition.

Stop Press

pelekas.com are pleased to announce their sponsorship of the local football team, Megalos Alexandros, for the forthcoming season. We will have more news about this venture in the Autumn edition of Pelekas News. In the meantime look out for their homepage on pelekas.com.

Pelekas Festival of Music and Dance
August 2002
(details to follow soon)

Weather

Editorial

One of the nicest ways to see Corfu is to rent a car or bike and head off around the island using one of the famously unreliable local maps. As the price of car hire comes down (especially when the cost is shared between a group of friends) more and more people choose this option.

However, forewarned is forearmed and visitors to Corfu must be prepared to drive defensively and be aware that each year more and more cars on generally poor roads, especially at night, and low driving standards inevitably lead to accidents.

Extreme care is also advised if hiring a motorbike. Small motorbike rental firms frequently do not insure their vehicles and the customer is responsible for damage. Review your coverage before renting. By law rental firms must provide you with a crash-helmet.

Better news is that fatal traffic accidents in Greece, which has the worst road safety record in the European Union, dropped by over 25% in the first four months of this year compared to the same period for 2001, mainly due to increased vigilance as traffic police stepped up their campaign for safer driving. There has been a 28.5% increase in checks for drink-driving. In a determined clampdown on offenders, officers handed out 32.4% more fines for speeding violations. There was a 52% increase in fines for failure to use safety belts, and a 54% rise in fines for motorcyclists driving without crash helmets.

So, do get out and about and enjoy the beauty of Corfu, but take care and come back safely!

Greek beaches 99.4% clean

Less than 1% of Greek beaches checked last year were found to be unfit for swimming.

The annual EU report on the quality of bathing water in the Union found that 99.4% of beaches checked in Greece in 2001 complied with both Greek and EU quality regulations and were deemed suitable for swimming. All but 2.3% of the above were found to have exceptionally clean water.

pelekas news corfu

Anti-Smoking Drive

The average Greek taxi driver will soon have to find an alternative use for his left hand, which normally dangles out of the window attached to a cigarette. According to a series of measures announced by the government, a strict smoking ban will be enforced in taxis and all indoor public areas.

Furthermore, from the beginning of October, all restaurants and most coffee shops must designate at least half their tables as non-smoking areas. Surprisingly, many of the measures already exist, if only in theory.