More Drama in Your Wine

Yiouli Eptakili | June 13th, 2016

The terroir of Drama lends itself exceptionally to wine making, providing success with the usual grape varieties as well as the recently revived Greek strains

© Shutterstock

Drama is rising through the ranks as one of Greece’s most exciting winemaking regions

“The land is rich. All it needed was correct management.” said Babis Tsalkos, our host at the winery of Oinogenisis Estate, built in the style of an old Macedonian mansion in the area between Doxato and Adriani Drama. There is no need to explain more. Whoever visits the site immediately sees the quality and the possibilities of the vineyard. Rivers, forests, lakes and fertile soil combine to make the ideal terrain for agricultural production, which in any case the area has a long tradition of. Specifically for wine, the Mediterranean climate with mild winters and dry, hot summer creates the ideal conditions.

This visit, the result of the growing momentum from the mid 80s for the rekindling of traditional winemaking in Drama, highlights the importance of correct management and the added value that it can give to Greek wine culture.

The winemakers of Drama – there are nine wineries of which seven are open to visitors – have managed to build a vineyard area spanning across approximately 500 hectares, which produces excellent wines, many of which have won awards at international competitions and have found their place on the shelves and wine lists abroad.

International grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot match the local terrain very well and yield outstanding results. At the same time, under the pressure of the need to keep indigenous varieties alive along with the interest from foreign wine professionals coaxing Greece to produce more native wines, producers in Drama have added Assyrtiko, Malagousia, and Agiorgitiko to their vineyards while continuing to experiment.

“Specifically for wine, the Mediterranean climate with mild winters and dry, hot summer creates the ideal conditions.”

Tehni Oinou features two vineyards connected by a tunnel

The hills of Drama are covered in rolling green vineyards

© Alexandros Avramidis

Minimalist and distinct, Ktima Pavlidi produces quality wines

© Alexandros Avramidis

THREE DAYS, SEVEN WINERIES

The visit to the wineries was carried out during the Dramoinognosia 2016. In recent years, the event has attracted city wine vendors, winemakers, entrepreneurs, small and major producers and cooperatives presenting a rich program centered on wine with many side events. Although the city of Drama has a lot to offer, most of the time was dedicated to the wineries of the area.

• DOMAINE COSTAS LAZARIDIS: A lifelong project of Costas Lazarides and a strong presence in the region. A vineyard of up to 180 hectares and a very large winery, complete with underground aging cellars and reception areas. Besides the famous wines, the estate produces excellent raki, ouzo and vinegars. Collaborators included the “flying oenologist” Michel Rolland, a star in winemaking circles.

• TEHNI OINOU: In Mikrochori, Drama, opposite the Pangaion Hills and vineyards of Yiannis Kalaitzidi and Yiannis Papadopoulos. The two vineyards lay across a road and are joined by an underground tunnel that has been converted into a cellar. It’s almost impossible not to be impressed by a visit here. Not that we would expect anything less from the cooperation of two wine producers, one an architect and the other an engineer.

• DOMAINE MIHAELIDIS: At Aghios Athanasiou, Drama, near ancient Philippi, Iordanis Michaelidis implements his vision in a vineyard of more than 10 hectares. He produces top-quality wines in a limited number of bottles each year. He has currently reached 50,000 bottles per year, setting a ceiling of 70,000 bottles.

The aging cellar at Costa Lazaridi, a strong presence in the region

© Vangelis Zavos

• DOMAINE OINOGENESIS: After working in wineries in France and Greece, Babis Tsalkos created his own estate. A supporter of the logic that wine doesn’t like being rushed, he is a man obsessed with quality and an unwavering philosophy. Wine, he says, “is 65% terroir, 25% microclimate and the rest experience.” The winery is impressive, almost like a castle, where where wine lovers are welcomed.

• KTIMA PAVLIDIS: The most minimalist winery on the outskirts of winery on the outskirts of Falakro mountain, near the cave of Aggitis and the ski resort of Falakro is a strong contender in wine production with its labels of Thema and Emphasis, of consistent quality and distinct character. The vineyards total area covers approximately 60 hectares, located in Kokinogia and Perichora.

• DOMAINE MANOLESAKI: Cretan George Manolesakis began in the late 80s with the classic international varieties in his vineyards in Adriani, Drama. Today, he produces wines from Greek varieties like Malagouzia, Muscat of Alexandria and Agiorgitiko. The vineyard also has a small winery.

• DOMAINE NICO LAZARIDI: This year, they broke the barrier of one million bottles, while celebrating 25 years from the first harvest of Magiko Vouno red, an iconic wine of Greece which established Drama as a winemaking region. The winery is modern, with many visitable places and a gallery, also named “Magiko Vouno” with artworks which are used on the labels of the bottles.

Drama has become a fascinating wine region and has proven that it produces excellent wines. Its wineries are among the best and most well-equipped of Greece, with very good staff, and, since in most cases the new generation has taken the baton, a high level of studies in the field of oenology to compliment the experience and knowledge of the older generations. It is perhaps the best time for Drama to cultivate an even stronger wine identity. If you are a lover of wine, the region’s wine routes must definitely be included in your next trip.