Vineyard of Naoussa

Ο vineyard of Naoussa is the place where the Xinomavro variety producing red PDO wines Naoussa and is one of the 4 varieties-ambassadors of Greek Wine (agiorgitiko-xinomavro-asyrtiko-moschofilero). At its foot and on the east-southeast slopes Vermio (2052m), in a very charming natural environment and in a variety of terrain - orientations and terrains, the vineyard is, almost entirely, linear.

The vineyard of Naoussa is today one of the most well-researched vineyards in Greece and covers about 6.000-6.500 acres.

The xinomavro

The xinomavro,  or Popolka is the most versatile red grape variety in northern Helladia. It is a variety of high yields that gives red, pink, white. sparkling, dry. semi-sweet or sweet wines. In Naoussa has the largest area of 4 PDO zones which participates in the composition of their wines (PDO Amynteo, PDO Goumenissa, PDO Rapsani the other 3).

In the conditions of Naoussa, the xinomavro matures late, after September 20, something that makes it vulnerable in the cold and rainy years, when the tannic character of the wines produced from it intensifies. A decisive role in the quality of products is played by diversity of the topography and the soils of the vineyard in Naoussa, as the cultivation of xinomavro covers the foothills and the eastern slopes of Mount Vermi, from an altitude of 100m. up to 400m. and in soils that vary, from acidic shale to loamy. The most important vineyards is Trilofo, the mountainous PlantationThe Stenimachos, η Hull, η Marina and finally the heart of the belt Strandza.

In general, the maturation of xinomavro is better in calcareous soils with good drainage. The desired characteristics are emphasized even more when the wines come from vineyards with low acreage yield and with proper use of viticultural techniques.

The PDO wines of Naoussa aged for at least a year in French oak barrels, they have a characteristic aroma of tomato, which is adorned with notes of olive, gooseberry, violet and spices. In the mouth the main element is high acidity and dynamic tannins. As they age for a longer period of time the nose is enriched, the mouth softens, the tannins are sculpted-rounded and thus the unruly character is tamed.

Other varieties grown in Naoussa -but to a lesser extent- are the local varieties white Pecniariko with intense aromas and medium aromas, the rare red Sefka and international varieties Merlot and Syrah.

Naoussa Wineries

The most important wineries of Naoussa are the following with their representative wines:

• Earth and Heaven - dry red wine - Thymiopoulos Vineyards
• Ktima Founti - dry red wine - Founti Estate
• KRYMA CHRYSOHOU - dry red wine - Chrysochou Estate
• NAOUSA Diamantakou - dry red wine - Diamantakou Estate
• NAOUSSA Vaeni - dry red wine - Vaeni Naoussa
• NAOUSA BOUTARI - dry red wine - Boutaris Winery
• NAOUSSA XINOMAVRO - dry red wine - Elinos
• Naoussa TSANTALI - dry red wine - E. Tsantalis
• PALIOKALIAS - dry red wine - Dalamara Winery
• RAMNISTA - dry red wine - Κir-Yianni Estate
• Naoussa Karyda - dry red wine - Karyda Estate.
• Naoussa Kelesidi - dry red wine- Kelesidi Estate
• Naoussa Diamantakou - dry red wine- Diamantakou Estate
• Naoussa - dry red wine - Winery Argatia.

The history of the Naoussa Vineyard

From a historical point of view, we find the first reports in foreign travelers, such as him Pouqueville (1826), which states that the wine of Naoussa is one of the finest in Macedonia and Cousinery (1831) who notes that the wine of Naoussa is for Macedonia that Burgundy is for France. It is the time when the wines of Naoussa entered the palaces of Constantinople, Vienna, Russia and Egypt. At the beginning of the 20th century, 22.000 acres of vineyards were cultivated in Naoussa and 10.000 tons of wine were produced, but a little later, this auspicious scene was abruptly overturned by the catastrophic consequences of phylloxera. The vineyards were reduced to 500 acres and the producers abandoned the wine. Fortunately in the middle of the same century, the vine growers of the area returned to the traditional occupation with new plantings, which gave the xinomavro a new dynamic. Since then, Naoussa has managed to consolidate and spread its reputation as a zone for the production of high quality wines.

After the great deindustrialization of Naoussa at the beginning of the 21st century, the vineyard of Naoussa with 20 visitable wineries, are offered as the only opportunity to place the city on the world map of wine and its Wine tourism, offering development in the area.

Naoussa, The City of Wine

For this purpose, for the past 6 years, the beautiful city of Naoussa has been welcoming wine lovers to the event "Naoussa, The City of Wine- its title was given in 1987 by International Bureau of Vine and Wine (OIV) - organized by the Association of Winemakers of Naoussa and where local wines are tasted and the contribution of wine is known, both in the history, culture and gastronomy of the region and in the establishment of the dynamics of Greek winemaking internationally.