Macedonia wine tour

The Republic of Macedonia produces wine in some 22,400 hectares (55,000 acres) of vineyards. There are also some additional 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of vineyards dedicated to table grapes. Red wine dominates the Macedonian wine production, with around 80 percent.

Macedonia has three wine-growing regions:

- Povardarie, in the valley of the river Vardar, mostly around the towns of Negotino and Kavadarci. It is the most important region both in terms of quantity and wine quality.

- Pčinja-Osogovo, to the east on the border with Bulgaria, and

- Pelagonija-Polog, around the Lake Ohrid, to the west on the border with Albania.

Grape varieties

The grape varieties common in cultivation include a large proportion of indigenous varieties and varieties common to Central Europe and the Balkans, as well as some international varieties. Red varieties include Vranec (the most common variety of Macedonia), Kratoshija, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. White varieties include Smederevka, Welschriesling (usually referred to as Laški Rizling), Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Žilavka.

A few of the wineries are presented in the following text:

Kamnik winery 

It all started as a very personal fascination with the wine-making art of the founder, a wine enthusiast from Skopje. From collecting wines from all over the globe, through the first vines planted and their transformation into vineyards, to the first wines bottled. This man shared his vision with a team of excellent people and turned it into a quest called “Kamnik Wines". 

The Chateau Sopot is located in the surroundings of the Veles Lake, between the valleys and the fertile uplands of the wine region of Veles. It disposes of 100 hectares of wine plantation, and the selection of sorts includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Temjanika.

Holding its ideal location in the wine region of Veles, at the altitude of sea level of 150-220 meters, the wines of Chateau Sopot are sold on the home and the foreign markets, exclusively to the ones that really want to be indulged in the feast of premium wine.

Popova Kula winery 

Demir Kapija valley lays on the south-east part of the Tikveshiya grape growing sub-region that is a part of the Povardarie region. The oldest archeological findings, proving that people in this area have grown vineyards and have made wine, date back to 13 century B.C. It is a location with an excellent climate and perfect soil for grape growing. The king of Yugoslavia, Aleksander Karadjordjevic, who ruled one century ago, could choose from a great choice of vineyards. However, following the advice of trusted consultants, he chose wisely and planted his first vines in the micro-region of Demir Kapija in exactly the same location where we have our vineyards today.

Stobi Winery is the newest and most modernly designed Macedonian winery, located in the municipality of Gradsko, next to the ancient site Stobi, where it gets its name from. The wisdom and experience of the first inhabitants are transferred into modern technology. They cut out every vine correctly and accurately to match the growth and maturation. Then, only the best grapes from the plantations, through a perfectly controlled process, arrive in the most modern winery in the country and beyond. This contributes, Stobi winery to produce wines that are clean and non-contaminated concerning pesticides, heavy metals, residues, and contaminants. The use of SO2 is 30 to 50% lower compared to the average. Therefore, the pleasure in these wines does not cause any headaches, but just pleasant bliss. The result of all this attention, knowledge and expertise are 4.5 million liters of high-quality Macedonian wine per year, allocated among four categories – Premium, Elite, Classic, and Traditional.

Tikvesh winery 

For more than 125 years, the sky, land, sun, and vineyards in the south of Europe, each with its share, have been a part of the story about Tikveš wines. Tikveš Winery has been crafting and aging premium Macedonian wines ever since 1885. In the late '70s of the 20th century, Tikveš becomes the largest winery in Southeast Europe. In 1973, the wine “T’ga za jug”, in honor of Struga Poetry Evenings, is crafted. Thus, a star is born. WINERY TIKVESH produces 24 types of wine, out of which the most attractive are: T'ga za jug, Traminec, Kratoshija, Chardonnay, Alexandria – Cabernet Sauvignon and Alexandria – Riesling, and the famous Tikveš grape brandy – Lozova rakija – Zholta. At the Wine Innovation Forum in Paris – 2008, Tikveš Winery is ranked among the world’s 30 most innovative wine brands.