Magon Wine Route Experience

A guided wine circuit named for Mago of Carthage, the 4th-century BC agricultural writer whose 28-volume treatise was the only Carthaginian book Rome ordered preserved after destroying the city. The route visits multiple Cap Bon wineries including Domaine Neferis, with tastings paired with local products. Organized by ANIMED and Tunisian tourism authorities.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Locate the City Rome's Rival Called Its Wine Capital History · Free

   On 30 October 1987, at an International Meeting on Vines held in Rome, Grombalia was formally declared an International City of the Vine. That's not marketing — it's a recognition that this Tunisian town sits at the center of a wine tradition older than Rome itself. The Phoenicians planted vines here when they founded Carthage in 814 BC. Cap Bon still produces 80% of all Tunisian wine. Arrive in Grombalia town center (36.6025, 10.5015) from Tunis (40km south-east, about an hour by shared louage taxi from the southern terminal) and walk to the central square where the municipal buildings display this designation prominently. Look for vine motifs on municipal signage and the International City of the Vine markers.

   Backup: If you can't find a specific marker, ask at any café. Every person in Grombalia knows their city's wine identity — the Festival du Raisin has run for 63 consecutive years. The town's identity IS the vine.

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2. 2 Taste the Cooperative Born from Phylloxera Ruin Wine · Price: low

   Between 1936 and 1947, phylloxera devastated Cap Bon's vineyards — every vine the Romans, Arabs, and French had cultivated was being eaten alive by root lice. The growers had nothing. So in 1948, they came together. Cave Viticole Grombalia was born as a cooperative that year and has been the economic backbone of Grombalia wine ever since. You're not just tasting wine at Cave Viticole Grombalia (GP1 KM 33 Route de Sousse, Semmeche 8030, about 3km south of town center). You're tasting collective survival. Call ahead (72 212 373) or contact via cavegrombalia.com to arrange a visit. Ask specifically to taste the Mornag-region red (Carignan-based — medium body, dark fruit, spice) and the Muscat of Alexandria white (dry, delicate, citron hints).

   Backup: If the cooperative isn't accepting visitors that day, small restaurants and wine shops in Grombalia town serve local wines with lunch. Use the time before heading to Domaine Neferis.

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3. 3 Walk Mago's Landscape at Domaine Neferis Wine · Price: high

   In 1878, a French colonialist named Emile Lançon planted the first modern vineyard on these hills — Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault. In 2000, Sicilian winery Calatrasi partnered with Tunisia's state agricultural company to create Domaine Neferis on that exact same site. They named it after Neferis, a Carthaginian fortified city that stood 30km from Tunis. You're standing at Domaine Neferis (Khanguet El Hojjej hills, Grombalia) on a vineyard that is simultaneously French colonial, Sicilian Italian, and ancient Carthaginian — 200 hectares across the same slopes where Mago, writing in the 2nd century BC, recommended planting on north-facing hillsides to protect vines from the North African sun. Book the Magon Wine Route guided visit through ANIMED at animed.sarl@gmail.com. Ask specifically for the Selian Carignan — 100% Carignan from Sidi Salem AOC that won a Decanter silver medal.

   Backup: If a standalone visit to Domaine Neferis isn't available, the full Magon Wine Route Itinerary 2 continues to Nabeul Museum and Domaine Kurbis near Korba (36.57, 10.86). ANIMED can arrange the complete Cap Bon circuit in a single day.

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4. 4 Discover the Only Punic City Rome Never Erased History · Price: low · Optional

   When Rome destroyed Carthage in 146 BC, they erased an entire civilization. Except here. Kerkouane was abandoned around 250 BC during the First Punic War — before Rome even arrived. Because Romans never occupied it, nobody ever built over it. Discovered only in 1952, this is the ONLY intact Phoenicio-Punic city in the world. Streets, houses, shops, private pink-red baths (the dye came from local sea urchins — Kerkouane was a purple dye production center), mosaics — all of it stands exactly as the last inhabitants left it 2,270 years ago. Reach Kerkouane Archaeological Site on Cap Bon (36.9464, 11.0990, 100km east of Tunis, 14km north of Kelibia) by hiring a private taxi from Grombalia or Nabeul. Start at the on-site museum, then walk the ruins noting the house layouts around central courtyards and the famous pink-red bathtub walls.

   Backup: If Kerkouane is too far, Nabeul Archaeological Museum (36.4507, 10.7364) holds Cap Bon artifacts including Roman mosaics from the House of Nymphs at Neapolis and exhibits on ancient garum fish-sauce production. Entry approximately 5 TND. Closed Mondays.

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Insider tips

• Book via Facebook page or email: animed.sarl@gmail.com

• Small groups up to 10 persons

• Full day experience - includes lunch and multiple tastings