Xinomavro is the principal native red grape of northern and central Macedonia. It is used in a broad range of wines, including dry reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and sweet styles. Naoussa, Amyndeon and Goumenissa are protected appellations associated with the grape. Naoussa's vineyards lie on the southeastern slopes of Mount Vermio. Amyndeon occupies a high plateau between the Vermio, Vitsi and Voras mountains, near the Vegoritida and Petres lakes. Goumenissa sits on Mount Paiko's southeastern foothills, and Plagies Melitona on Mount Meliton's western slopes near Neos Marmaras. Florina has a cool continental climate, mountainous terrain and lakes. Its broader geographical indication includes the Amyndeon vineyards. Macedonia also grows the white grape Assyrtiko, whose wines can be softer and fruitier here than examples from Santorini.
4 named areas
Inside the region
Explore the wine-growing areas of Macedonia.
- 01Amyndeon2 producersAmyndeon is a high-elevation plateau between the Vermio, Vitsi and Voras mountains, with Vegoritida and Petres lakes nearby. Its PDO permits dry red, dry rosé, and dry or semi-dry sparkling rosé wines from 100% Xinomavro.
- 02GoumenissaNo producers listed yetGoumenissa is one of Macedonia's main Xinomavro PDO zones, on the southeastern foothills of Mount Paiko. The appellation includes parts of Goumenissa, Axioupolis and Evropos, and was established in 1979.
- 03Naoussa2 producersNaoussa is one of Macedonia's main Xinomavro PDO zones, with vineyards on Mount Vermio's southeastern slopes. It was the home of Naoussa Boutari, described as the first modern Greek bottled wine, in 1905.
- 04Plagies Melitona5 producersPlagies Melitona lies on Mount Meliton's western slopes in Sithonia, near Neos Marmaras.
Producer profiles
Producer profiles
Every producer profiled in Macedonia so far.
- Alpha EstateSingle-owner 220-hectare estate on the high Amyndeon plateau of northwestern Greece, farming Xinomavro and Assyrtiko from sandy soils above 600 metres.
- Amyntas WineryFounded in Amyntaio in 1959, this cooperative winery produces still and sparkling wines with an emphasis on Xinomavro.
- Artisans Vignerons de NaoussaGrower cooperative farming hillside Xinomavro in northern Greece's Naoussa PDO with minimal-intervention winemaking.
- BoutariNaoussa-founded family producer, established 1879, credited with preserving Xinomavro and bottling one of the first Greek red PDO wines.
Browse 5 more
- Estate Biblia ChoraMount Pangeon estate with organic vineyards, Assyrtiko led whites and French barrel aged reds.
- Kir-Yianni EstateKir-Yianni Estate operates 50 hectares on Mount Vermion, with Xinomavro at the centre of its Naoussa wines.
- Magoutes VineyardHigh altitude Siatista producer working with Xinomavro and Moschomavro, including a white made from Xinomavro.
- Moschopolis WineryA Monopigado winery pairing northern Greek grapes with wild yeast, lees, oak and amphora.
- S. Kechri & Co. Winery - DistilleryA Thessaloniki family winery whose story runs from 1911 to contemporary retsina, Assyrtiko and single-vineyard Xinomavro.