| WINE ... Born of Semele and Zeus the handsome Greek god of wine Dionysus (Bacchus) was worshipped and attended with love and passion by mortals. Setting off from the Far-East, the region of biblical Eden, where grape-growing and wine-making had evidently originally appeared, he became a genuine Greek god, son of the heat (Zeus). His breeding was undertaken by the nymphs Hyades, viz "rain". This is why in the imagination of early people, wine-growing got a mythological expression, since it required a temperate climate (heat - water). He departed from mount Olympus, after having taught his fellow-gods, the beneficial wine-drinking, while at the same time he filled with enthusiasm the excited people and made them worship him. Wandering from place to place, Dionysus planted wines and taught people wine-growing. He organized revelling and delightful feastings. Such an atmosphere of merrymaking, was brought to Athens by Ariadne after the slaying of Minotaur, and was replanted to the Attican earth by the Athenian hero, Theseus. In the following years the son of Hermes, Cephalus being persecuted by the gods left Athens. After having wandered to many places he finally established himsesf at a place called "Athenian Land", which had been Athens colony and was located in the middle of the sea, being attacked and harried by pirates, known by the name Televoes. As soon as he set foot on the land, he planted into the soil the vine he had brought along, so that he might be reminded of his homeland. With the course of time the "Athenian Land" got the name of "Thenea Land" and was finally named "Thenia" while the island he had set foot on, was named Kefalonia, after him. Since the original vine he had brought along was spread, and its growing occupied the whole island, the grapes developed into various colors such as white, yellow, red and black which produced excellent varieties of wine, such as Moshato, Vostilidi, Theniatico, Tsaousi, and above all the Divine wine "Robola", the vine of which requites thin soil, cool weather and plenty of sunshine all these prerequisites for bearing fruit. The Robola grapes with their delicate flavor, their golden color with a fruit - like taste have rightfully made it to claim the name of "Nectar of Immortals or the wine of the gods". This is the bequest to the Cephalus descendants made by the omnipotent Dionysus. Three generations after Cephalus settlement, his grandson Laertis was born. He later became the father of the ingenious king of Ithaca Ulysses. He really reigned in Ithaca, but virtually became the leader of Kefalonian people. In those days, wine constituted an expensive as well as a mush sought after present, capable of contracting new alliances, solve disputes and forge new bonds. In those days, wine constituted an expensive as well as a mush sought after present, capable of contracting new alliances, solve disputes and forge new bonds. Homeric times heroes used to drink wine produced in Kefalonia, while Ulysses using "Maronean wine" managed to mislead and finally subdue the mythical gigantic Cyclop Polyphemus, thus putting a successful end to his uneven struggle with him. Consequently the famous Robola wine, has survived through the centuries and being constantly improved has reached the peak of perfection in our days. It is being strictly protected, by a special legislature, as an exceptional wine characterized by its superior quality origin. The restricted Robola zone consists of seven geographical communities; lying in the southern-central mountainous sector of the island they offer an ideal soil, with the most favour able climatological conditions. Over the past decade, the establishment of the Robola growers cooperative has greatly contributed to the expansion of the area cultivated, giving at the same time impetus to a better quality product. The unique in its kind ROBOLA wine for "connoisseurs"
has deservedly earned the appellation of High Quality Origin ranks among the best Greek
wines. The higher quality of the cooperative Kefalonian Robola is guaranteed by the
winegrowers themselves who make their wine - press machinery. The carefully and painful "Robola"
cultivation process due to the grapes delicacy requires the at most care. It mainly grows
in the well-known vine-fields of the Robola limited zone (area of rocky-soil hills). The
cultivation done with the Robola producers thorough attention, yields restricted quantity
grapes which safeguards the world famous excellent quantity. Drinking Robola wine,
will harmoniously enhance the pleasure with satisfaction of the time of your life!
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