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Kir-Yianni Property: Main the Greek wine renaissance

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On this Olympic yr, Greek producer Kir-Yianni is celebrating its personal podium efficiency. Its gold medal-winning Diaporos Xinomavro 2019 was one of many three highest-scoring Greek reds at DWWA 2024, whereas its Naoussa Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2021 was awarded a silver.

Kir-Yianni was based in 1997 by Yiannis Boutaris after he left Boutari, the household vineyard based by his grandfather in 1879. Identified all through Greece merely as Mr Yiannis (Kir- Yianni), this forward-thinking maverick was and nonetheless is an inspiration to generations of Greek winemakers.

As we speak his son, fifth-generation winemaker Stellios Boutaris, continues his legacy, steering Kir-Yianni as one of many nation’s most revolutionary and thrilling producers, exporting to over 50 nations. In the meantime his son, additionally known as Yiannis, is regularly taking the lead at Domaine Sigalas in Santorini, acquired in 2020 and now one in every of Greece’s high producers.

A winemaker in a vineyard

Stellios Boutaris, Kir-Yianni’s winemaker & CEO

Uniquely Greek terroir

As with all winemaking, the seeds of this success are within the land. For many years Kir-Yianni has labored in two distinctive terroirs in Northern Greece: Naoussa and Amyndeon. The latter is famed for its high-altitude Assyrtiko white, whereas each are key appellations for signature Greek crimson grape Xinomavro.

Though only a 90-minute drive aside, these terroirs are completely totally different. Amyndeon’s excessive plateau on Mount Vermion’s north-western facet, with vineyards averaging 600m, has sandy soils and a cool, continental local weather. Naoussa’s clay-loam vineyards, in the meantime, sit decrease – round 200-250m – on the south-eastern slopes, the place the local weather is Mediterranean.

Kir-Yianni's sunny hillside vineyards

Kir-Yianni’s vineyards in Naoussa

Xinomavro champions

Deep respect for these terroirs has led to revolutionary work: the group has recognized micro-terroirs, experimented with lyre trellising and centered on regenerating ungrafted pre-phylloxera Xinomavro vines.

Kir-Yianni’s intensive winery analysis programme, one of many largest investments of its sort in Greece, has additionally benefited native growers, tutorial packages and Greek Wine initiatives. This analysis has additionally produced an distinctive portfolio, together with Ramnista, a benchmark Naoussa Xinomavro recognized for its consistency, and Kali Riza (‘good root’), created from chosen Amyndeon parcels of 40- to 60-year-old pre-phylloxera Xinomavro.

Old bush vines

Kir-Yianni’s ungrafted, pre-phylloxera Xinomavro vines in Amyndeon

For the long run

Kir-Yianni’s newest pioneering initiatives embrace a devoted sustainability group, ongoing funding into regenerative and natural viticulture, and being the primary Greek producer to hitch Worldwide Wineries for Local weather Motion. All these, along with its clear imaginative and prescient and nuanced strategy to terroir, type the guiding philosophy for Kir-Yianni’s future.


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