Macedonian Wineries

The Republic of Macedonia is located on the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and its territory covers 25.713 km2. Geographically, Macedonian territory spreads between the 40°51` and 42°21`northern geographic latitude.

In Macedonian wine production and growing grape vine goes back to ancient times. Numerous objects have been discovered round the archeological sites in the Republic of Macedonia that doubtlessly point to a great wine production culture. There was an especially marked development of wine production in this region between the 11th and 14th century. It is interesting to mention that during this period vine growing was located besides numerous monasteries along the whole territory. The arrival of the Turkish conquerors in this region, and their religious conviction contributes to stagnation of viticulture. Nevertheless, the existing abundance of convenient climate conditions for production of grapes led to growing of table quality grapes which exist up till today in the Macedonian ampelography, while tradition continues to develop through the monasteries which are allowed to grow and produce grapevines for the purpose of their religious rituals.

The territory of the Republic of Macedonia has adequate conditions for production of grapes and wine. Its location on the Balkan Peninsula and indirect influence of the Mediterranean climate, which can be directly noticed only in the lower reaches of the river Vardar through Gevgelija, Valandovo to Demir Kapija and a less effect in Negotino, creates specific conditions for vine growing.
The medium annual temperature moves from 10,2°C to 15,8°C. The medium annual temperature air amount in certain vineyard areas moves from 3.723°C to 5.402°C. The adequate altitude for grapevine growing moves from 50-300meters in Gevgelija Valandovo area, while in the Tikvesh area to 150-500 meters, Skopje area to 250-600 meters, Bitola area to 600-700 meters, Ovche Pole area to 300-550 meters.
According all the above stated markers it is evident that in Macedonia there are good conditions for growing a large number of quality grape and wine types. On the basis of researched land and climate characteristics, as well as distinctive marks of developed products originating from different areas, we can divide Macedonian vine growing production into three regions, which are further divided into smaller wine growing units, or vineyard areas: Pcinja-Osogovo region, Povardarie region, Pelagonia Polog area.