Naoussa First Greek City to Join Europe’s ‘Iter Vitis’ Wine Cultural Route

Photo source: Visit Naoussa.

The city of Naoussa in Northern Greece celebrated “International Xinomavro Day” by joining the “Iter Vitis” Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.

The “Iter Vitis” was established in 2009 to unite different European destinations of ancient vineyards and villages recognized for their natural beauty and contribution to wine heritage.

Photo source: Visit Naoussa

According to the Council of Europe, the “Iter Vitis” cultural route safeguards wine biodiversity and strengthens European values since “wine production has always been a European symbol of identity. The technical knowledge, which underlies this production, has greatly contributed over the centuries to the construction of a European citizenship, common to the regions and people, and of national identities.”

Naoussa was the first Greek area to win a wine PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) with its Xinomavro variety, one of the world’s rarest red grapes, becoming Greece’s vinous ambassador worldwide.

By joining “Iter Vitis”, Naoussa will be part of a network that offers a fresh travel perspective, which renews and improves enological tourism (enotourism) through:

• the mapping and preservation of the heritage of historical and ancient vines and of the culture of vine and wine,
• the promotion of research, documentation and environmental protection activities,
• the development of sustainable forms of tourism, addressed to young people,
• the creation of wine tourism schools that will educate its students to follow careers in a developing and promising business sector.

Twenty-two European countries are currently part of the “Iter Vitis” network with Russia being temporarily suspended due to the ongoing Russia – Ukraine War.