Melitzani, Naoussa, Macedonia

Ktima Melitzani was founded in 1918 by Dimitri Melitzani, a cooper, and is now run by the third and fourth generation of the family. The tiny Xinomavro vineyard of just 2.2ha is located at an altitude of 230m on the Gastra hill, recognised as one of the finest ‘villages’ in Naoussa. The 50-year-old vines are cultivated organically and unirrigated, resulting in very low yields and great concentration in the wines. Definitely falling within the modern red style and ironically given their family history of barrel-making, they have now eschewed oak barrels in favour of concrete tanks and stainless steel in their Naoussa PDO Xinomavro, to preserve the purity of fruit in the wine.