Epirus / Ηπειρος

Wine-growing region named after the city of the same name (also Metsovon, Grk. Metsobo) in the Epirus region in Greece. It is located to the east of the regional capital of Ioannina, close to the border with Albania. The region is not classified for viticulture, the wines are sold as country wines (Metsovitikos Topikos Oinos). Wine has been grown here since the mid-18th century. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 900 to 1100 metres above sea level, making them the highest vineyards in Greece. This is also a very popular skiing area in winter. Viticulture was revived here in the mid-1960’s, when foreign varieties were planted for the first time. A pioneer in those days was Evangelos Averoff (1910 – 1999), who went on to become foreign minister and minister of defence, his wine estate was founded in the late 1950’s, and was later merged with Strofilia in 2002, creating the largest producer in the region, Katogi Strofilia. International varieties are grown here, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Viognier. In addition, there is also a wide range of indigenous varieties, too, such as Agiorgitiko, Alpoura, Bekari, Chlores, Giatrou, Glykopistrovo, Lefko, Roditis and Vlachiko.