Ponton 38 Q, Aruba Tel:  + 297 583 3325 Fax: + 297 582 5848 info@arionwinecompany.com Representative: Joost Röben – 594 3326 Latest News Sponsored Events Arion Wine Company Viticulturist Govert van der Hout started his Arion Wine Company in 2003. Through the years, his company has grown to be one of the best-known wine importers of the island. This is mainly thanks to the many tastings, seminars and educational events that Arion has organized, but also the exquisite Friends of Arion dinners have certainly attributed to the popularity of this company. Individual customers as well as bars, restaurants and hotels are Arion wine Company’s clients. ————————— The story of Arion and the Dolphin The name Arion comes from Greek mythology – it is the name of a fabulous, immortal horse, born to goddess Demeter. She had metamorphed herself into a mare to escape the pursuit of Poseidon, who lusted after her, but the deceiver was deceived by him, as he assumed the figure of a horse and raped her. The name stands for an impressive, superb and graceful animal, who could outrun any other beast; Arion stands for being better, stouter and braver. Arion lived around 625 BC on Lesbos. He was a poet and a musician. Lured by the promise of great fame and riches he traveled to Sicily, where a musical contest was held. Lo and behold: Arion won the contest, receiving many great prizes and gifts from adoring fans. During the sail back to his island, however, the crew of his vessel decided to chuck Arion overboard and divide his bounty between them. They gave him a choice: either commit suicide or jump overboard. Arion thought long and hard, did not make a choice but came up with a request which would save his life: he asked whether he could sing a final song. This wish was granted and Arion proceeded to sing and play his lyre. His music was so lovely that dolphins came to listen and this was Arion’s cue to jump overboard. The dastardly crew thought that Arion had died, so they hoisted their sails and sailed home. Meanwhile, however, one of the dolphins took Arion on his back and carried him ashore; there he hired a ship to take him back home. The story ends when the king, disbelieving Arion’s incredible story, asked the returning ship where Arion had gone. The crew said that Arion had elected to stay in Italy, enjoying himself there. But then Arion showed up in person, disproving their cooked up fabrication. The story does not say what happened to the treacherous crew members, but we do not think they greatly benefitted from their lies.