«Reviving a legendary wineland»
Iter Vitis – Routes of the Vine, the Council of Europe Cultural Route dedicated to the culture of vine and wine, is proud to take part in the 4th Messinia Terroirs Wine Festival, returning on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August 2026 in Messinia, Greece. The festival is an initiative of the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation (CVF), co-organised with Costa Navarino, and supported by the Region of Peloponnese and the Messinian Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
This landmark event places Messinia at the heart of the Greek wine map, and offers Iter Vitis a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the importance of wine routes and cultural networks as engines of sustainable, community-based tourism across the Mediterranean.
On Saturday 29 August, Iter Vitis President Emanuela Panke will join the panel discussion:« From Vineyard to Culture: Connecting Places, People & Experiences »
This discussion reflects a shared conviction at the core of the Iter Vitis mission: that wine is never just a product, but a living expression of place, people and heritage — one best experienced through authentic, connected journeys across wine-producing landscapes.
About the Messinia Terroirs Wine Festival
Over two days, Navarino Agora and W Costa Navarino will host a rich programme combining scientific knowledge, gastronomy, the arts, networking and education for the whole family:
- 18 Local Wineries showcasing and offering tastings at the « Tasting Square, » Navarino Agora
- Bridges of Collaboration with the Primarolia (black currant), Oinoxenia (Aigialeia) and Malvasia Myth (Monemvasia) networks
- 3 Masterclasses led by Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, Nikos Loukakis and Giannis Dionysopoulos
- 5 Scientific, Historical & Strategic Panels exploring the Mediterranean Diet, ancient wine routes, wine tourism, Messinia’s terroir and the power of collaborative networks
- Gastronomy & Wine Pairing inspired by the Mediterranean Diet of Koroni, by chef Iakovos Apergis, paired by Yakinthi Tyrovola-Dagre DipWSET
- Geological Discovery — a static exhibition of rocks and fossils from the Municipality of Trifylia, presented by the University of Patras, with interactive activities for children
- Cultural Activities, including « Painting with Wine » by Alina Malynovska
The Messinia Terroirs programme, developed by the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, has brought together 18 local producers around a shared vision of quality and outward-looking development — a network philosophy closely aligned with the values Iter Vitis promotes across its member routes and territories.
From 26 to 28 August, ahead of the festival, the Messinia Terroirs Fam Trip — supported by Visit Peloponnese — will offer journalists and tourism professionals an immersive journey through Messinia’s vineyards, wineries, farms, harvest traditions, history and monuments.
Why It Matters for Iter Vitis
The Messinia Terroirs Wine Festival embodies many of the principles Iter Vitis champions across Europe: the connection between land, wine and cultural identity; the value of collaborative producer networks; and wine tourism as a tool for regional development and cultural exchange. By participating in this year’s festival, Iter Vitis continues to strengthen its ties with Greek wine territories and to support Messinia’s growing recognition as a distinctive and legendary wineland.
Practical Information
Admission to events at Navarino Agora is free. For talks and masterclasses at W Costa Navarino, advance registration is required for access and to ensure priority entry.
Admission to the Tasting Square is free; a specially designed tasting glass is required for wine tasting, available for purchase at the Cellier store (entrance to the Festival, Navarino Agora) for €5. Glasses can be returned to Cellier after the event, with their value deducted from purchases of local producers’ wines.
Wine tasting is available to persons aged 18 and over.
For more information on the full festival programme, visit the Messinia Terroirs Wine Festival website.