📍 Goumenissa

Goumenissa is a wine zone in northern Greece, in Greek Macedonia. It lies on the south-eastern slopes of the Paiko mountain range around the small town of Goumenissa. Red wine protected by a designation of origin is made here. The zone is part of Macedonia.

Goumenissa is famed for wine from two grapes: Xinomavro and Negoska. Xinomavro is the main red grape of northern Greece and gives wines with bright acidity and tannins. Negoska is a local variety: it softens Xinomavro and adds fruity notes. Together they give a red wine with aromas of red berries and spice that becomes softer with age.

The history of the wine here is long. Goumenissa wine became popular in the Ottoman Empire and later in Central Europe. Today both family and large wineries work here, for example Boutari, Aidarinis and Tatsis.

The town is known for narrow streets with traditional houses and springs. The town stands on the south-eastern part of the Paiko range. Besides wineries, the Dimitri Kambouris distillery works in the surroundings. Goumenissa and Naoussa are the two main red appellations of Greek Macedonia, and in both the main grape is Xinomavro.