Thessaly

Overview

Thessaly lies at the heart of mainland Greece, a broad agricultural plain surrounded by mountains and watered by the Pineios River and melting snow. Viticulture is concentrated on slopes where poorer, well-drained soils yield more concentrated fruit than the heavy plain lands below. The region holds three historic PDO zones: Rapsani, Messenikola and Anchialos.

Xinomavro leads the red blends here, supported by Krasato and Stavroto in Rapsani and the native Messenikola grape. Whites from Roditis and Savatiano are fresh and aromatic, while Limniona has emerged as one of Greece's most exciting revived red varieties, prized for its balance of fruit, spice and supple tannins.

Key Varietals

• XinomavroThe backbone of Rapsani blends, offering red cherry, tomato leaf, olive and firm tannins.
• LimnionaA revived indigenous red known for elegant red fruit, floral notes and silky structure.
• RoditisA pink-skinned white producing fresh, citrusy wines, especially around Anchialos.
• SavatianoGreece's most planted white, here giving textured, melon and apple-scented wines.