History of Winemaking

Centrally located in South-Eastern Europe, the Republic of Macedonia - ‘the Pearl of the Balkans' - is a warm mountainous country. The climate here is influenced by the Mediterranean and local mountains to the North¬-West, a natural barrier diminishing the influence of the cold air from the north. Macedonia's geographical position, fertile soil and climatic conditions are extremely favourable for grape cultivation and the formation of intense flavours in the specific grape varieties. Macedonia has 35,000 ha of vineyards that produce considerable quantities of wine, the vast majority of which is consumed locally.

The most important ground transportation corridor in the southern Balkan Peninsula passes through Macedonia, providing access to worldwide markets and an excellent opportunity for developing business. Macedonia is just a couple of hours away from two very important seaports: Thessaloniki in Greece, providing access to the Mediterranean, and Burgas (Bulgaria), which provides access to the Asian countries.

Macedonia has some modern vineyards planted with many of the famous French Vinifera varieties, as well as with indigenous ones such as Vranec, the less well-known red Kratosija (often blended with Vranec), and the white Zilavka. Viticulture in Macedonia is as rich and varied in potential as any country can be but that potential is only just beginning to be realised, even though the country has a long and distinguished history of winemaking.

The rich Macedonian wine tradition began already at the time of Philip II and Alexander the Great of the Macedonian royal family who appreciated good wine. During the Roman Empire this tradition continued, and Macedonia - part of the Eastern Roman Empire until the seventh century - was one of the most important regions for grape cultivation in the Empire. Grape growing continued after the arrival of the Slavs and was freely developed until the fourteenth century. During the period of the Ottoman Empire (1350-1918), winemaking was kept alive in Macedonia's abundant monasteries.

Phylloxera came relatively late to Macedonia, affecting the vineyards between 1890 and 1920. As in other countries, many vineyards were grubbed up and remained permanently out of production. Some were replanted with local grape varieties but others were converted to French, German, and Austrian varieties that were already well-known and established in other parts of Eastern Europe.

Macedonian viticulture reached its peak during the 1980s, when Macedonia accounted for two-thirds of all wine production in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In 1991, the newly independent Republic of Macedonia faced the challenges of establishing itself in the world of politics, diplomacy and international trade. It also faced the challenge of establishing itself as a modern winemaking country with a long tradition.

Exports fell sharply in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With one third of its wine exports going to other Eastern Bloc countries, Macedonia's markets virtually disappeared as these post-socialist states struggled with free market economics. However, two-thirds of Macedonia's wine exports had always been to Western countries, notably Germany and the UK. Furthermore, many new, small wineries emerged and doubled the number of wineries in the country. This was followed by massive investment to improve the winemaking equipment and technology in older (and now privatised) wineries.

During the last couple of years enormous improvements in quality have been achieved. Wineries have developed their own marketing plans, design of modern bottles, and restricted the types of grapes grown to the most marketable varieties in the world. Stricter quality control has been applied, and cooperation with foreign wineries begun.

The great improvements in the Macedonian wine industry can also be seen in the number of bottles shipped to other countries, such as to Germany, Holland, Japan, the UK, and the US. Currently Macedonia is the fourth largest exporter of wine to Germany.

Wines such as Vranec, Zilavka, Stanushina, and Temjanika are now among the most requested Macedonian wines in these Western markets. This is because they are new and different, with a specific character and quality that is uniquely Macedonian.

If improvements continue and the much-needed investment and expertise are put in place, the following couple of years could answer the question posed of the country.