Rapsani: To the Wine Region on the Slopes of Mount Olympus

Rapsani Winery - Shortly after leaving the highway towards Larissa/Athens, you will find a signpost to the right pointing towards Rapsani in the Olympus massif.

Rapsani lies about 15 kilometres off the main road in a hilly, vineyard-covered landscape high on the slopes.

Sights in the area include the numerous old churches, the beautiful mansions, the charming market square in the town centre, the traditional tavernas, the Tempi Gorge, the magnificent views over the Aegean Sea, and, of course, the extraordinary beauty of Mount Olympus, the sacred mountain of the gods.

Rapsani, the present-day small town on the southern slopes of Olympus, was probably founded in the 10th century from four smaller settlements. Legend has it that Rapsani was a beautiful and very energetic woman who united four small villages into one larger and stronger one. Six watermills dating from the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries attest to Rapsani's history as a flourishing Byzantine town with over 900 years of history.

From the "Platia," Rapsani's village square, there is a beautiful view of the summit of Mount Ossa/Kissavos, the sea, and the Pinios Delta. Several wine shops are scattered throughout the town, many of which offer wine tastings.

Located at an altitude of approximately 500 meters, Rapsani is considered one of the best wine-growing regions on the mainland.

Wines from Olynthos, Akanthos, Stagira, Mendi, and other vineyards were among the finest in ancient Greece.

From Chalkidiki, winemaking culture spread throughout Greece and across much of the Mediterranean.

The preferred grape variety is the specifically native, very old red grape variety Xinomavros, which is cultivated in mixed plantings with Stavroto and Krassato, varieties found only in Rapsani, and vinified together.

Xinomavro means sour (Xino) and black (Mavro) because it produces wines with a firm structure and dark colour.

Xinomavro wines have a particularly high aging potential.

Krassato is grown only in the Rapsani area.

Krassato produces high-alcohol wines with mild acidity and many quickly ripening tannins.

Stavroto is also cultivated only in the Rapsani area. The Stavroto berries are of average size with moderately thick skins.

Stavroto wine has a medium alcohol content, moderate acidity, and colour. Stavroto is high in tannins with quickly ripening tannins.

The over 2,900-meter-high Mount Olympus and, in contrast, the proximity of the Aegean Sea creates a unique microclimate that shapes the distinctive character of Rapsani wines.

Constant winds prevent fog formation, thus reducing the risk of disease for the vines.

Mount Olympus provides ample meltwater and moderates the summer heat.

Many hours of sunshine ensure fully ripened grapes.

The vineyards are situated at altitudes between 250 and 800 meters.

In Rapsani, the soil consists mainly of iron-rich shale, which is low in organic matter.

The high iron content regulates the soil's water retention capacity, and its structure allows the vine roots to penetrate deep into the subsoil.

The slope of the vineyards guarantees drainage during the rainy winter months.

Sand and clay in the subsoil ensure an adequate water supply for the plants, even during the hot summer months.

The wine from the slopes of Mount Olympus, made from the indigenous varieties Xinomavro, Krasato, and Stavroto, is powerful, well-structured, and ages well.

As early as 1816, the Englishman Edward Clarke described Rapsani as "the most delicious wine in all of Greece." In 1971, the Rapsani wine region was one of the first to be awarded the "Designation of Origin of Higher Quality" designation. Since the 18th century, viticulture has been the most important source of income for the inhabitants of Rapsani. Unfortunately, the Greek crisis also had an impact here, so today there is a greater focus on wine tourism, which is also reflected in the region's restaurants: delicious, local dishes that we, too, were able to enjoy.

Please also read:

National Holiday OXI - No in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki - Upper Old Town and Acropolis

• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
• Wine fields of Rapsani Wine fields of Rapsani
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