Kir-Yianni 'Ramnista' Naoussa Xinomavro PDO 2019

In 1879, Yianni Boutari, started the eponymous Boutari winery, which would become Greece's oldest and most established wine company. Satisfied with his accomplishments, Yianni sold off his share of Boutari in the 90s and went on to acquire his own prime vineyards. Come 1994 Yianni and son Stellios released their first wines championing “Xinomavro” the red grape of Greece grown in Naoussa (Alpine county of Macedonian Greek mountains). This grape is regarded as the “Pinot” or the “Nebbiolo” of Greece for its fragrance, intensity and tannin profile. After extensive research and clonal selection with ‘xinomavro”, the variety has gone from strength to strength. Following the success of Naoussa Xinomavro, Yiannis Boutaris establishes Kir-Yianni (Greek for Mr John!), from 1997, his son Stellios Boutaris leads the way as winemaker.

Today Kir Yianni is the cutting edge winery in the modern Greek wine scene. Kir-Yianni makes wine across two regions in the north of Greece - Amyndeon and Naoussa, with the aim of producing terroir driven wines that speak of place. In Naoussa, their 58 Ha vineyard is located on the east slopes of Mount Vermion, situated at an altitude of 250 to 350m above sea level on sandy, clay soils. Located at just 100km from the Agean Sea, it enjoys a cool, Mediterranean climate. In contrast, lesser known Amyndeon P.D.O is the coldest wine growing region in Greece. At an altitude of 750m above sea level, the climate is continental, tempered only by the presence of four lakes which create a very special microclimate excellent for growing Xinomavro and tense aromatic white wines. The soils are poor and sandy, and even unaffected by phylloxera.