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H I S T O R Y

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.

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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 .

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W I N E R E G I O N S

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

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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.

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C L I M A T I C C O N D I T I O N S

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.

W I N E Y A R D S A N D G R A P E

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). 

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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.

W I N E R I E S

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). 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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