HISTORY
Macedonia has a rich wine tradition. The ruins near the settlement of Stobi, in the
Tikveš region, suggest the existence of grape growing and wine production in the
country even before the Roman times. For Macedonia wine culture was traced
through archaeological notes from the 7th century BC. From the time of Perdiccas
I - first Macedonian king of its origin royal line ARGEADI. During the time of Philip
II and Alexander the Great - the most famous members of the Macedonian royal
family - they were known as strong consumers of Macedonian wine. This tradition
continued during the Roman Empire where Macedonia was one of the most
important regions for growing grapes in the Empire .
The Slavs who arrived in the Balkan region in the sixth and seventh century
embraced these wine-making traditions and practices. Local wine was carried by
caravans not only throughout the Balkans, but as far as Vienna and Budapest. In
the Ottoman Empire plantation with vines increased with aromatic varieties such
as Muscat Hamburg, Muscat Ottonel, Temjanika and they were making aromatic
wines for the whole Ottoman Empire. Also, the significance of the wine was
continued at the time of the introduction and the rise of Christianity whereas wine
was a part of almost all Orthodox Church ceremonies.
1
At the beginning of the 20th century there were number of noble families that
were producing grape and wine. During the Balkan wars and after them first
were vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio.
That is the time when Alexander Karadjordjević (Serbian King) comes in Demir
Kapija and raised vineyards with French varieties, but he never forgot
Macedonian indigenous varieties such as Stanushina, Vranec, Smederevka,
Žilavka, Prokupec, which were all used for wine production.
After World War Two Macedonian wine industry grew and wineyards at one
point reached 38,000 ha, while currently we have 24 000ha. Annual production
of wine is from 120 to 170 million litres, while much of the wine grapes are
exported to neighbouring countries .
2
WINE
REGIONS
According to the climate conditions Macedonia is classified as one geographic
area, that is, a region for production of regional wine which coincides with the
whole territory of Macedonia. The wine region Macedonia has 16 wine sub regions
(districts) i.e. wine sub-regions (districts) for production of quality wine,
characterized with different production conditions and intensity.
According to climate characteristics and EU classification, Republic of
Macedonia belongs in III-C-b zone for producing wine types of grape, and has
adopted the oenological regulations for this zone. Republic of Macedonia
represents one grape growing area, which geographically can be divided into
three grape growing regions:
1. Povardarie region (Vardar valley, i.e. Central Region) - includes 83% of the
total production.
2. Pelagonia-Polog region (Western Region) - includes 13% of the total
production
3. Pchinya-Osogovo (Eastern Region) - includes 4% of the total production
3
These three regions are divided in 16 districts (sub-regions) which
are characterized with different production conditions as well as
different intensity of production.
The largest part of the production of grape and wine is in the Tikvesh
Wine District which is the central and the biggest part of the
Povardarie region occupying all the area suitable for grapevine
cultivation in the municipalities of Demir Kapija, Kavadarci, Rosoman,
Negotino and Gradsko.
What is Bordeaux for France and Napa and Sonoma Valley for
California - that is Tikvesh vine country for the Balkans.
4
CLIMATIC
CONDITIONS
The intense aroma of the Macedonian wines is a result of the combined
influence of the Mediterranean and continental climates, with warm summer days
and cooler nights. The lengthy ripening process concentrates the sugar and
acids in the grapes, ensuring rich colours and complex aromas in the wines.
WINEYARDS
AND
GRAPE
Today Macedonia has around 24,000 ha of vineyards that produce considerable
quantities of highest quality grape.
The two main varieties grown in Macedonia are Vranec (red) and Smederevka
(white). Beside those two most popular varieties, other plantings include
international varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir (reds)
and Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc (whites).
5
In addition there are number of other different varieties as Muscat Ottonel,
Semillon, Rkaciteli, Grenache Blanc, and Kadarka, which are all grown in
Macedonia. Also, there is a group of exotic local and regional varieties like
Žilavka, Prokupec and Stanushina.
Viticulture in Macedonia is very rich and varied in potential for grape growing but
that potential is only just beginning to be realized, even though the country has a
long and distinguished history of vine growing and winemaking.
WINERIES
In Macedonia 86 officially registered wineries currently operate. Wineries process
about 70% of the total harvested grape, while about 30% is being processed
directly by grape growers for their own home production and consumption of wine
and “rakiya” (grape brandy).
6
The sub-sector is represented by a low number of wineries with medium and
large production capacity and a high number of wineries with smaller
production capacity. During the last decade the number of smaller wineries
oriented towards production of high quality bottled wine with sophisticated
equipment and technology has been rapidly increasing. However, as in many
other wine-producing countries the majority of wine production and exports is
predominately controlled by the larger wineries.
In the last couple of years it is evident that some of the Macedonian wine
producers joined the local wine associations to work together on various
issues. Examples include: Wines of Macedonia, Tikvesh Wine Route
foundation and the Group of Macedonian Wine Producers. All these local
associations are formed to encourage collaboration between member wineries
on various issues, among which the promotion of Macedonian wine and
increase of exports take very important place.
7
The investors in the new wineries have built the same from scratch with clear
vision to produce bottled wine. All wineries are investing in all aspects of the
marketing mix and together with the government of Macedonia are trying to
promote Macedonian wine. Here is the link where you could watch the new video
spot for Macedonian Wine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i01RoxZ2oqA&feature=related
Based on the fact that we have ideal climatic and soil condition, vineyards in
excellent condition that are producing the highest quality grapes, and have
investments and private initiative we believe that Macedonian wine will soon
become recognized and demanded by the wine consumers around the world.
Most of investors in the wine industry in Macedonia, dream about the day when
Macedonian Vranec will be acknowledged as the “Next Big Red”!
We invite you to try Macedonian wine and to take a wine tour around Macedonia.
We are sure that you will be amazed and completely satisfied with the
experience.
8
Macedonia is a country with abundance of natural beauty such as Lake
Ohrid and Shar Mountain and with a seasonal climate favourable for the
development of the tourist industry. Furthermore, the country boasts a number
of important historic and religious sites, such as remains from the Roman,
medieval and Ottoman era that have attracted many visitors in the past.
Many Macedonian wineries besides producing quality wine have started doing
promotions of wine tourism. Most of the wineries have organized visits, tasting
through their winery, and some of them are mentioned below:
Elenov Winery: Royal Winery is one of the richest with history. This is the first
winery built in Eastern Europe after all the French standards - where tradition and
modern winemaking are collected in one. They have a few recognized wines Villa
Maria and Chateau Demir Kapija. They also offer rich Macedonian gastronomic
specialties.
Bovin Winery: It is a first private winery in Macedonia that made major changes in
wine production and consumption of wine in Macedonia. Their recognizable
brands are their Vranec wines: Imperator, Dissan, Premier etc.
9
Popova Kula Winery: One of recent wineries in Macedonia and offered excellent
wine and complete service for guests in his restaurant and hotel where apartments
are named after varieties of wine. Hotel is right in the winery and here will serve
you traditional meals but also meals from different world cuisines. This winery is
well known for producing autochthonous variety Stanushina.
Tikvesh Winery: This winery is the largest winery in Macedonia. Tikvesh is
recognizable brand around the world with very own brand - ‘Tga za Jug’ what is the
best selling wine from Macedonia. At average Tikvesh processes 30.000 tonnes of
grapes annually. Located over an area of 100.000 m², Tikvesh Winery currently
employs 350 people and markets their wine throughout Macedonia and in over 15
foreign countries, making it the largest wine operation in Macedonia
Stobi Winery: Stobi is the newest and most modern winery in Macedonia, with
capacity of 4.5 million litres. Ii is close to the archaeological locality Stobi after
which it was named.
Grkov Winery: Grkov with capacity of 150 000 litres. This is only winery located at
the Kozhuv Mountain with an altitude of 600 meters. The winery offered excellent
mountain -village and vineyards sightseeing tour, spiced with local specialities food and mountain wine.
10
Dudin Winery: Dudin Winery is located near Negotino with capacity 500 000
litres. Wine tastings are offered there as well as their exquisite traditional
specialities.
Km Vin Winery is located in Vevchani, and it is the smallest winery in
Macedonia.
with an annual production of only 4000 bottles but with so much time and love
devoted to this tiny production.
As support for the development of wine tourism are two events that are deeply
associated with grapes and wine:
Tikvesh Grozdober (Tikvesh Harvest)
Beginning in 1964 as an annual event it takes place in the first half of September
in Kavadarci, and it is organized as an economic and tourist event. It signifies the
beginning of harvest of the grapes for whish this region is famous for.
11
During the days of Tikveshki Grozdober, there are varieties of other events:
- Agricultural Wine Fair
- Carnival Parade
- The first cutting of grapes
- Wine tasting
These events typically draw a large number of domestic and foreign guests.
SAINT TRIFUN’S DAY CELEBRATION
According to the Orthodox Christianity Saint Trifun is the protector of the vineyards
and wineries and according to the Orthodox calendar 14. February is the Saint
Trifun’s day.
Traditionally on that day the wineries in Macedonia organize parties and the grape
growers start pruning the vineyards.
12
13
14
15