Dalamaras - Winery
Dalamaras winery continues a family tradition that started before the middle of last century. Family experience in winemaking is remarkable since more than 160 years ago, in 1840, John G. Dalamaras created his first vineyard in Naoussa. Since then, the family is inextricably connected with viticulture, production and sale of wine and tsipouro (greek distillate). Today, John K. Dalamaras with his wife Catherine, the fifth generation, continues the tradition. Their son, Kostis Dalamaras completed his studies in Viticulture and Oenology at Beaune in Burgundy and, after working in biodynamic wineries in France and Spain, returned to join winery force. The vineyard conducts organic farming since 1996 with official certification while the last 4 years is also certified by Bio Hellas. Since 2008, the winery experiments with biodynamic practices from the calendar of Maria Thun. The horses, ducks, turkeys and other animals that roam the vineyards, after the harvest, assist towards developing an integrated ecosystem. The vineyard is located at an altitude of 250-350 meters and mainly planted in clayey & calcareous soil. The plants were chosen after a careful search, depending on the soil characteristics of each vine. The decision was mainly based on the advice of Kostas Bakasietas, experienced nursery garden owner, and the French soil scientist, Claude Bourguignon. Xinomavro is the dominant variety, while Merlot, Negkoska and the white varieties Malagouzia, Assyrtiko and Roditis are also cultivated. The total area does not exceed 50 acres. This small size permits manual work, minimizing the use of tractors and other machinery, always in the context of organic cultivation. The family winery is open to visitors since 1998. It is located just outside Naoussa and surrounded by the vineyard. The traditional distillery operates at the same place. The philisophy of the winery is to minimize intervention during vinification, so as to produce wines as more representative as possible of the terroir. Dalamaras wines are exported to European countries, U.S.A. and Canada.
