Northern Greece
From Zitsa in the west to Avdera in the east and Goumenissa in the North to Naoussa further South, the Northern part of Greece is a large and versatile wine region marked by mountains, valleys and plains, some of which nicely enclaved and secluded and with the most diverse soil composition and microclimates. It is the home of some of the most acknowledged grapes of Greece, such as the red Xinomavro and Negoska and the white Malagousia and Debina. Other emerging grapes follow suits, such as the red Mavroudi of Thrace, Vlachiko, Bekari and Koniaros and the white Asprouda Serron. The low elevation vineyards of Eastern Macedonia continue to the hilly ones of Serres and Pentapolis to the West, before reaching high altitudes in the most remote mountainous zones of Kilkis further in the North and Epirus in the West of the country. Naoussa remains the “queen’ of the North, in a central position and around 350m of altitude at the foot of Mount Vermion, one of the most important appellation zones of the country and certainly the most important for Xinomavro, this Northern PDO region includes the largest number of wineries.
Northern Greece Wines by Style
Northern Greece Reds
Northern Greece Whites
Northern Greece Sparkling
Northern Greece Retsina
Northern Greece Sweets
Northern Greece Producers
This family-owned 7-hectare large organic vineyard was planted in 2005 near Avdera, the Thracian town renowned since ancient times for its prolific vineyard and premium quality wines transported to faraway lands. The vineyard, which is lies at 50-70m altitude, approximately 2 km from the Thracian Sea, receiving cooling breezes throughout the year grows the indigenous grape varieties Mavroudi of Thrace, Pamiti, Muscat Blanc and Limnio. The soil is mostly sandy and non-irrigated and the vines benefit from the microclimate of the bay and the microelement deposits, left in the soil by the rainwater, at it streams naturally to the sea. Their yields are very low at 4-5 t/ha and their total annual production is 60.000 bottles.
Anatolikos
Since establishing his winery in 1997 and with his very first cuvees, Christos Aivalis has reinvented the style of Nemea. A civil servant by daily occupation and profound wine lover has managed to transfuse this dedication to his son, Sotiris, now a most capable winemaker himself, who assists him in the winery. He has acquired old vineyard plots in the most admirable parts of the zone. The plants there are autochthonous and grow naturally without irrigation or fertilizers. Some of them are as old as 120 years and a good number is reaching the age of 70years. The majority of them lie at an altitude of 600m and over rock and fossilized soil. He produces all his Agiorgitiko labels with single-vineyard identification, to be able to express the different terroirs’ characteristics. He vinifies with natural yeasts and bottles all his red wines unfined and unfiltered.
Babatzim
Chrisohoou
Since 1840 the Dalamara family have been making wine and distilling spirits in Naoussa. Sixth-generation Kostis Dalamaras took over the vineyard and winery fully in 2009 and produced his first single-vineyard organic wine, Paliokalias 2009, now a historic wine. The 6-hectare large vineyard is farmed organically, planted mostly with Xinomavro at about 240-300m elevation and facing South, on the foothills of Mount Vermio. The oldest vines have an age of 85 years. Summers in the area are warm and dry, with plenty of sunshine and winters, are mild with cold spells. The soil is porous rock (Travertina) and there is evidence of cold water streams running at its lower levels.
Dalamaras
Glinavos
Dedicated to the ecological philosophy, Kioutsoukis Family use exclusively organic methods and principles of biodynamic farming to produce wines from indigenous and international grape varieties. The low hillside with its microclimate, including a refreshing northern wind that is present all year round and the different types of soil, provide adequate a diversity that allows for different blends and styles of wine to be produced. Using modern wine-making equipment, only to monitor and support the natural course of the wine-making process, they create wines that express the terroir without lowering the quality standards.
Kamara
Nerantzi
Originally from Ano Vodeno of Eastern Romilia, an area steeped in viticulture, the refugee Tatsis grandfathers chose as their place of settlement during the population exchange of 1924 the small town of Goumenissa, an already developed viticultural centre that lies at the foot of Mountain Paiko, 65 km away from Thessaloniki. Since 1998 the vineyard is being cultivated and certified according to the regulations of organic farming and since 2002 follows the biodynamical principles. The vineyards are found on the hillock of Libaskerit and Gerakona, an ideal position for viticulture and the vines grow on calcareous, non-irrigated soil yielding a very modest production of about 3 to 7t/ha. All grapes come from the Estate, where also vinification and maturation take place.