Project

Viticulture and Winemaking in Antiquity

In Greek antiquity, the vine cultivation and wine production were important occupations, with strong economic and social implications. The common denominator of the economic and social dimensions of viticulture was to satisfy the nutritional needs of the ancient Greeks, which consequently made wine making one of the major cottage activities (each house had a wine press and used it to make wine, a practice that is customary until today in the Greek countryside)
Historically, the inclusion of wine in the life of the ancient Greeks is considered very old. The detection of pressed grapes residue in Myrtos,Crete and pips (seeds) of wild vine in the Cave Franchthi, Argolida chronologically place the beginning of viticulture in Greece in prehistoric times, whereas findings (grape traces and ceramics) by Protohelladic (Lerna), Middle Minoan (Knossos, Festos) and Late Helladic positions indicate its progressive spread and consolidation, which is largely due to the ritual use of wine. Declarative of the particular religious value of the vine is the portrayal of ancient Greek art and especially in scenes that derive their themes from the life of Dionysus, which constituted a prime symbol.