Drama is a region that has managed, in only a few decades, to gain great recognition due to its high-quality wines, even though until the 1980s its contribution to the Greek wine scene was minimal. Its vines have successfully incorporated famous international and important Greek varieties, and the new generation of winemakers from Drama comes with force, ready to make its mark in the area’s winemaking history. The region’s wineries are easily accessible, impressively designed, and with modern infrastructure, ideal for wine tasting.
Topography and the vineyards
Drama is located in the north-eastern part of Macedonia and is one of the few prefectures in Greece with no sea borders. The prefecture borders with Bulgaria, Xanthi, Kavala and Serres.
At its south, among mountainous masses, there’s a 432 m² valley. At its north there’s mount Falakro that protects it from the cold northern weather. At its east, there’s mount Lekani, at its south mount Pangeo, and at its west Menikio.
The climate is sub-Mediterranean, dry, with high temperatures during the summer months. As we go up mount Falakro, approaching the borders with Bulgaria, the climate changes and becomes continental. The soil is usually clay, sandy clay and shale soil. The majority of the wineries is in the lowlands and the fringes of the mountains, located at between 200-400 m altitude. However, an increasing number of winemakers are experimenting with mountainous viticulture, setting up wineries at greater altitudes, and cold locations near Nevrokopi and Bulgaria. The low-altitude wineries make dynamic and voluptuous wines, and the mountainous ones make crispy and aromatic wines.
Wine history
The wine history of the wider area starts thousands of years ago, something that is clear from the popularity of Dionysus worship there. The famous temple of Dionysus was located at the top of mount Pangeo, at the care of Satres, while a temple dedicated to Dionysus, dating back to 400 BC, was discovered within the borders of the modern wining zone of Drama.
Despite its great past, viticulture went through a great lull before it restarted in the 1970s. The Lazaridis family was the one to set the foundation for a new era. Their successful effort was copied by other businessmen and oenologists of the area and all together they managed, in a short time, to make Drama’s wines known not just around Greece, as they export to the UK, North America and other countries abroad.
Modern vineyard
In Drama, the producers were able to design and create free from viticulture stereotypes inherited from previous generations. Today, the varietal composition of the Drama vineyard reflects modernity and a desire to explore and renew. In a very short time, Drama has managed a great accomplishment: to gather in its region the most important Greek varieties and to invariably produce wines of the highest standard.
The area was originally known for the varieties of Bordeaux, the red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and the white Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The arrival of Assyrtiko was a turning point for the area, and the Drama winemakers proved that it can be used in the production of wines that are different in style and still great, outside Santorini. The Drama Assyrtiko, in contrast to the Assyrtiko of Santorini is fruitier and aromatic in body. Their high acidity and tight composition make it the perfect match for a blend that has become associated with the area. The blend Sauvignon blanc and Assyrtiko was born in Drama and won over even the most sophisticated sommeliers with its aromatic character, structure and lemony acidity. Agiorgitiko and Syrah also make great wines. Other French varieties grown in the area are Grenache Rouge, Chardonnay and Viognier.
The winemakers continue experimenting with many Greek varieties like Xinomavro and Malagousia with encouraging results. The Limnio, Mavrotragano, Mavrodafni, Vidiano, Moschato and Roditis varieties are also grown in the area, while there are also some rare, for Greek standards, international varieties: the Italian Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Refosco, the Spanish Tempranillo and the Portuguese Touriga Nacional, that tempt the palate of every wine lover.
The vineyards are linear, with irrigation systems, meteorological monitor stations, and are, to a great extent, mechanised.
Protected area
The wines that are produced in Drama can use the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Drama or the more general PGI Macedonia. The second is used when part or all of the grapes come from neighbouring prefectures in Macedonia, like Kavala, which is the most common case. Finally, there are two smaller regions PGI Agora and PGI Adriani.
Due to its relatively short history, there is no PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) zone in the area.
Wine tourism, gastronomy and culture
Drama is a picturesque town with rich natural environment and history, spreading under the shadow of mount Falakro, at 110 m altitude. Due to its central location in the prefecture, it can be a great base for trips to the wineries around it. The majority of the wineries is impressive in terms of design and size, with modern equipment. Wine tourism is particularly developed, and the wineries have special welcoming and wine tasting areas. The area has grown a special gastronomy that is based on its multicultural past. The cuisine has clearly been influenced by the Greek Minor Asia migrants, from Pontus, Cappadocia, and north-eastern Thrace, as well as by the Turkish-speaking populations and the Armenians. Important sights in the prefecture include the village Paranesti, the Frakto forest, the Elatia forest, the Aggitis cave and the Falakro ski resort. Another interesting event in Drama is the International Drama Short Film Festival.
Domaine Costa Lazaridi “Château Julia”
The Costa Lazaridi estate with the name Chateau Julia, was founded in 1992 and is the evolution of the 85,000 m² vineyard that Costa Lazaridis planted in 1979. Today, they have vineyards in four different locations, in Adriani, in Kali Vrisi, in Katafito and in Platania. Apart from the wineries, in Adriani there’s a distillery, while in Kali Vrisi there’s a vinegar making facility. Amethystos Blanc is the unique blend of cosmopolitan Sauvignon Blanc and Assyrtiko from the Aegean sea. Domaine Costa Lazaridi rose is an elegant wine with a vibrant fruity character made with Merlot, Grenache and Agiorgitikο. In Château Julia, Merlot unfolds its rich aromatic character in a fleshy wine that all wine-lovers are going to enjoy.
The winery is open to the public, but you must book in advance. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00-15:00. The tour takes 20 min and the wine tasting between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the wines the visitors select. The tour can be given in Greek, English or German.
Address: Adriani, Drama
Tel.: +30 25210 82 231 and +30 2521082348
Email: info@domaine-lazaridi.gr
Website: www.domaine-lazaridi.gr
Nico Lazaridi winery, “Château Nico Lazaridi”
Nico Lazaridis’ love for wine and his experience in Tuscany lead him to grow vines and make wine. The company was founded in 1987, and the winery was built in 1997. The winery is house to many works of art, as well as to the Magic Mountain gallery. Magic Mountain is a blend of the Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and each year has a different work of art on its label. The 2016 harvest is dedicated to the two hundred years since the Greek War of Independence. The single variety Assyrtiko from Drama, under the name “Cavalieri LAZARIDI” refers to the title of Cavaliere that has been awarded to Nicos Lazaridis’ family members in recognition of their contribution to the Italian Republic. “Château Nico Lazaridi” combines the aromatic tension of Sauvignon Blanc, the structure and crispy acidity of Assyrtiko, and the flowery notes of Malagousia.
The winery is open to the public and you don’t need to book in advance. The opening hours are 9:00-15:00 during the week, and 10:00-14:00 on Saturday. The tour can be given in Greek or English, and in German with prior arrangements.
Address: Doxato Prefecture, Agora, Drama 66032
Tel.: +30 25210 82049-50
Email: info@nicolazaridi.gr
Website: www.chateau-lazaridi.com
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/h4NCK1Px2tqay1B48
Ktima Pavlidis
Christoforos Pavlidis founded the estate in 1998. The private vineyards are located in Perihora and Kokinogia, where the winery, an impressive building, was built. The estate’s winemaker, Panagiotis Kiriakidis, masterfully blends the robust Assyrtiko with the fragrant Sauvignon Blanc in a legendary Greek label: THEMA white.
The single variety EMPHASIS Assyrtiko wins you over with its robustness, its freshness, and its high aging potential. The great red variety of the Greek vineyard Agiorgitiko couldn’t be missing from Drama, and EMPHASIS Agiorgitiko with the red fruit notes and the sweet spices is a great example.
The winery is open to the public, but you must book in advance. The tour can be given in Greek, English, or French.
Opening hours: daily 10:00-14:00
Address: Kokinogia, Drama
Tel.: +30 25210 58300
Email: info@ktima-pavlidis.gr
Website. www.ktima-pavlidis.gr
Wine Art Estate
The estate’s history begins in 1993, when Yiannis Papadopoulos planted a small family vineyard in the outskirts of Drama. Since 2009, the estate’s wines are made under the care of oenologist Akis Papadopoulos, who took over from his father when he returned from his studies in Bordeaux. Idisma Drios Xi was the Xinomavro that won the 21st Thessaloniki International Wine and Spirits Competition. While Idisma Drios Chardonnay has an impressive creamy texture, harmoniously blending fruit, oak and autolysis. Plano Malagousia is perfect for pairing with dishes that require a more aromatic fresher wine.
The winery is open to the public, but you must book in advance. At the moment, due to covid-19, however, it’s closed to visitors. The tour can be given in Greek, English or French.
Address: 2 Pavlou Mela street, Mikrohori, Drama 66100
Tel: +30 2521083626
Email: info@wineartestate.com
Website. www.wineartestate.com
Oenogenesis Estate
In 2007, oenologist Bakis Tsalkos met the family of Dominique Fontviele-Petridis and the story of Oenogenesis began. The winery is located at the Doxato vines and is housed in an impressive building inspired by the architecture of the old Macedonian mansions. The famous Drama blend of Assyrtiko and Sauvignon Blanc is under the label Fegites white, while Fegites red is the favourite red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The three French white divas, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc and Semillon make a wine with great aging potential with an amazing structure and complexity, Deka white.
The winery is open to the public, but you need to book in advance. The tour can be given in Greek, English or French.
Address: Doxato – Adriani country road, Drama, 66100
Tel: +30 2521301048 & +30 6978513949
Email: info@oenogenesis.gr
Website. http://www.oenogenesis.gr/
Domaine Michaelidi
When Kostas Semertzidis, oenologist Iordanis Michaelidis’ grandfather, migrated to Kirgia, Drama, from Asia Minor he brought the art of wine making with him. Its secrets passed on to Simos Michaelidis, and in 2004, when Iordanis took over, he build the new winery. Among the Domaine’s labels, Pyli White, a blend of Assyrtiko and the French varieties Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and Pyli Red, a wine that combines the four famous international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, stand out. Klidi Malagousia shows off the aromatic intensity and freshness of fruit.
The winery is not open to the public, but you can arrange a visit. The tour can be given in Greek, English, or French.
Address: Agios Athanasios, Drama
Tel.: +30 25210 68394 και +30 6944206598
Email: info@domaine-michaelidi.gr
Website. https://domaine-michaelidi.gr
Estate Manolesakis
The Manolesakis family first started its viticulture activities in 1989, and after nine years they complete the construction of a modern winery. Today, the family vineyard is 200,000 m² and includes both international and Greek varieties. The white and rose Gennima Psichis stand out among its wines.
The first is a fresh blend of Assyrtiko and, mostly, Sauvignon Blanc, while the second is a dry wine that combined the spicy Syrah with the red fruits of Agiorgitiko. For those who like semi-sweet roses, there’s Anastasia that combines Cabernet Sauvignon with some Moschomavro.
The winery is open to the public, but you need to book in. The tour can be given in Greek or English.
Address: Adriani, Drama, 66100
Tel.: +30 25210 82010 και +30 6946902901
Email: info@manolesakis.gr
Website. https://www.manolesakis.gr/3/
Oenops Winery
Nikos Karatzas, after many years of managing an important estate in the area, in 2015, decided to create a series of unique wines, of mild vinification. XINOMAVRAW, a fine, fruity Xinomavro that has fermented in amphorae and concrete tanks, and the Vidiano, a complex wine whose grapes come from mountainous vineyards in Heraklion. Finally, APLA rose blends Xinomavro with Limnionas and Mavroudi producing an aromatic wine with a nice structure and crispy acidity.
The winery is open to the public but booking in advance is preferred. The tour can be given in Greek, English, French or Russian.
Address: Prosotsani, 66200
Tel.: +30 2522 060000
Email: hello@oenopswines.gr
Website: www.oenopswines.gr
Erithro Rodo Estate
One of the most recent additions to Drama’s wine scene is that of Erithro Rodo Estate. The winery was founded in 2019, by chemist-oenologist Katerina Karampatea and her husband Giannis Triantafilidis, while the family vine was first planted in 2009. The winery at the moment makes one wine, the Erithro Rodo Estate Malagousia. The cold soak adds points to its aromas, while the fine lees increase the aromatic complexity.
Last year, in the 21st Thessaloniki International Wine and Spirits Competition, it won the award for best Malagousia.
The winery is not open to the public, but you can arrange a visit. The tour can be given in Greek, English, French, Italian or German.
Address: Adriani, Drama, 66100
Tel.: +30 25210 4003
Email: winery@oenopolis.gr
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