Naoussa Wines Tour California

In step with America's growing wine culture, wines from Greece are experiencing new found popularity led by consumers interested in indigenous grapes and unique experiences with truly authentic wines. Furthering this interest, Wines of Naoussa, Greece's principal wine region, is scheduling a California promotional tour June 4 - 10 featuring its top red varietal, Xinomavro, with market visits and consumer and trade tastings in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Xinomavros from thirteen wineries participating in the Wines of Naousa coalition will be featured at all events.

Visiting Naousa winemakers include Apostolos Thimiopoulos Vineyards; Petros Karydas, Karydas Estate; Georgia Foundi, Estate Foundi and Yannis Pliatsikass, Vaeni Co-op. The vintners will be joined by special guest Panagiotis Tourkohoritis, Minister of Development for Greece. Thanasis Tamparopoulos, Novacert President will attend.

The tour starts with a Wines of Naousa tasting at the Opening Gala of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival on June 4. Other educational events include a wine tasting for consumers, business and technology leaders on June 8 at the Four Seasons hotel in San Francisco with hosts Edmond Krafchow, chairman of the board, and Kathy Ollerton, Executive Director of Charities, Better Homes & Gardens Mason McDuffie Real Estate. Event organizers are Christine Rios and Darryl Crawford, co-founders, WineLuv, the destination website that offers unique experiences for wine lovers.

Trade events will be held in Los Angeles at Faith & Flower on June 5  and at La Folie in San Francisco on June 9.

A sampling of recent accolades about Greek wine by noted wine critics, include Forbes magazine, Katy Kelly Bell who recently wrote, ʺGreek wines are some of the world's most elegant and interesting. Any wine lover should take a chance on stumbling over a word or two for the delicious rewards in Greek wine."

Alder Yarrow, award winning Vinography blogger proclaims, "We should all be drinking more Greek wine. Why? Because the best Greek wines offer incredible unique flavors, often at fantastic prices, thanks to being relatively unknown even to more serious wine lovers."

Wine & Spirits magazine, managing editor Tara Q. Thomas states, ʺBut ignoring Naousa is folly: Never has the region's wine scene been so exciting. Between the new players that have entered the field and the established producers refining their approach, Naousa is at a crossroads redefining itself."

Also, Trip Advisor just named Greece as one of the top 10 travel destinations in the world. "If you love wine, when you go to Greece, a visit to the Naousa region should be on the top of your list of places to visit."