Most of Thessaly's farmland grows cereals and cotton, while vineyards occupy hillsides around the central plain. Mountains provide shelter from wind, though moisture at lower elevations can increase the risk of fungal disease. Thessaly has three protected wine appellations. Coastal Anchialos makes white wines led by the Roditis grape. Mesenikola, at 200 to 600 metres, blends the red grape Black Messenikola with Carignan and Syrah. At Rapsani, beneath Mount Olympus, vineyards run from 100 to 700 metres. Its reds blend Xinomavro, Krasato and Stavroto and mature in large oak barrels. Limniona is a red grape grown mainly in Tyrnavos and Karditsa. Its wines can have deep colour, red and black fruit, herbal notes, soft tannin and fairly high acidity.
3 named areas
Inside the region
Explore the wine-growing areas of Thessaly.
- 01Anchialos1 producerAnchialos is one of Thessaly's three PDO wine zones and is reserved for white wines. Roditis makes up at least 75 percent of the blend, while sea breezes ease summer heat. No skin contact or oak ageing is allowed.
- 02MesenikolaNo producers listed yetNear Lake Plastiras, Mesenikola is one of Thessaly's three PDO wine zones. Its vineyards lie at 200 to 600 metres, and its wines blend Black Messenikola with Carignan and Syrah in a pale, aromatic style.
- 03RapsaniNo producers listed yetRapsani sits at the foot of Mount Olympus, where vineyards rise from 100 to 700 metres. Its PDO combines equal parts Xinomavro, Krasato and Stavroto, then ages the wine in large oak barrels.
Producer profiles
Producer profiles
Every producer profiled in Thessaly so far.
- Avantis EstateHand-farmed Evia estate producing Syrah-led reds and rare indigenous Mavrokoudoura from steep Lilantio Plain slopes since 1994.