Wearing little vintner hats, the children will explore the small vineyard next to the old watermill. They’ll pick grapes from the vines and pour them into a traditional grape press, where they’ll crush them with their hands. Then, they’ll collect the fresh must in a small barrel.

Theoretical stage:

The children will be introduced to:

• How grapevines are cultivated
• Grafting techniques and grape varieties
• The tools of a vineyard keeper
• The fermentation process
• The nutritional value of grapes
• Grape by-products (tsipouro, ouzo, vinegar)
• The importance in the local economy
• Related professions and traditional practices

This stage includes discussion, visual presentations, storytelling, songs, and demonstrations of products and tools.

Hands-On Activities:

• Pruning the vines
• Harvesting, transporting, and pressing grapes
• Collecting grape must and pulp
• Separating must from pulp to begin the fermentation process
• Learning how a distillery works and observing its operation

Extension Activities:

A visit to a local vineyard, a traditional distillery (rakokazano) in Mesotopos, and the Folklore Museum of Mesotopos. Also, a guided tour of a winery in Western Lesvos.