Located at the foot of the eastern mount Vermio at a natural embrace, formed by successive levels that descend slowly to the plain, Naoussa dominates from an average altitude of 330m from the sea all over the fertile plains of Imathia, extending to Thessaloniki. To the west, the horizon of the city described by green mountains and hills that create this very welcoming hug, inside it exists was founded and developed the modern city.

Vermion’s northern and eastern slopes covered with forests of conifers and beeches mainly, while western slopes are almost naked. The abundant water creates large and small waterfalls, which have been used and are still used as a driving force for the industry since the 19th century. Specifically Naoussa, the most important river is the Arapitsa, which has its source in an area of natural beauty, Agios Nikolaos.
Forming slopes and hills, a quiet beauty disrupted by vitalizing rivers and waterfalls, Naoussa was as if intended to produce the best wine on earth. On these slopes is established and the vineyards of Naoussa , sunny and sheltered from the north winds .

Being the birthplace of the god Dionysus, Naoussa is until today, the city of wine and vine. According to mythology, this was the home of Semele – the mother of Dionysus, god of vine and wine – and the area where Silenus, Dionysus’s inseparable companion and friend.

The town’s lengthy history is evident from the important archaeological findings which surround it. Among the most important ones are the School of Mieza, in the centre of the vine-growing area, where the philosopher Aristotle taught, and the famous Macedonian Tombs excavated in Lefkadia.

After the second half of the 19th century, the town of Naoussa prospered, with particularly great growth of industry, mainly in textiles, and trade. The wealth the city accrued is evident in the mansions, which are its pride and joy.

These well-preserved mansions, the characteristic tiled roofs of the houses and the people who dance through the narrow alleyways during Carnival, bearing traditional masks and reviving the “Genitsari and Boules” tradition, completes the town’s picturesque image, which coexists harmoniously with its more modern parts.

Naoussa never stopped producing the famous wine. As the public taste turned to bottled wines the interest of growers of Naoussa on the development of viticulture grew.

Thus, by 1970 the crop improves. Adopted modern methods of vinification, maturation and bottling. The wine quality is ensured through rigorous testing. Naoussa continues to confirm its reputation and leadership in fine wine. The precious wine.

The Appellation of Origin “Naoussa”, by a decree signed in 1971, aimed at dry red wines produced exclusively from grapes Xinomavro within a specified geographical area.

In modern Naoussa Xinomavro remains a hallmark of the beautiful Macedonian city. “Black Naoussa” , which was for years the most famous to wine lovers, the variety inherent in the region of Naoussa where due to the absence of mixing with other varieties and thanks to the particular soil conditions, appear to reflect the most typical traits and able to give, under certain conditions, high quality wines with strong character and origin .

Xinomavro grapes have been grown in a specific way and with a specific yield in the legally-determined vine-growing Naoussa zone, which covers a total area of 700 hectares, and produced according to the traditional method of Naoussa.

The vineyards are situated in an excellent location, with altitudes between 150 and 350 meters. On the south-eastern slopes of Mount Vermion, they are protected from the cold northern winds, and they benefit from the mid-afternoon sun. The Naoussa vineyards have linear canopy, with a density of up to 4,000 plants /hectare. In accordance with legislation, the yield must be under 10,000 kilograms/hectare.

The soil is rich in trace elements, with heavy clay or light clay and sand depending on the sub region. The climate is continental, with cold winters with snow, rain in the autumn and spring, and hot, dry summers.

It is the most gentle and yet the most difficult variety of Greek vineyard. Xinomavro, the wine of Naoussa has the “sweet” aroma, reminiscent of blackcurrant, cinnamon and other spices, accentuated pleasantly light notes of olive and tomato.

Due to the conditions in the area, Xinomavro vegetation starts in early April and late maturing after 20 September. Determinant of the quality of its products seems to play beyond the weather of each year, the diversity of topography and soils within the production area OPAP wines (wine Appellation of Origin Naoussa).

It is an active variety, high yielding, robust and resistant to disease, but very sensitive to a lack of water. The grapes are of medium-size, spherical with a thick skin, white flesh and a characteristic colour of the skins ranging from dark red to nearly black.

Sophisticated and dynamic, Xinomavro gives wines that are overflowing flavors. With high acidity and tight tannins, may in his youth to be tense and unripe, but with time it softens . Xinomauro obtains aromatic complexity and unique charm. If we add the great aging potential, we understand why foreigners wine editors compare it with varieties ” divas ” such as Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo

The modern methods of wine-making used by the current generation of oenologists and wine-makers showcase the multiple virtues of Xinomavro. A new generation of Naoussa wine is available on the market with a dynamic modern profile which meets the preferences of the contemporary consumer. It has a rich aromatic profile a balanced palate and is easily combined with many dishes.
At present, there are two types of wine bearing the VQPRD Naoussa indication: a dry red and a semi-sweet red. Also available are VQPRD Naoussa Reserve, which ages for 24 months, and VQPRD Naoussa Grande Reserve, which ages for 48 months.