NICO LAZARIDI

ICO LAZARIDI has earned widespread recognition as one of the pioneering companies that, over the course of its 35-year history, has played a significant role in the revival of Greek wine and the reestablishment of the Drama region as a prominent wine-producing area.

In the late 1970s, Nicos Lazaridis decided to transform his deep passion for the world of wine into a business venture. Focusing on the Drama region, his place of origin, he drew upon his experiences from Tuscany, where he had resided for a period. He initiated the establishment of vineyards in various locations and, in a pioneering move, launched the first viticultural and winemaking company in the prefecture of Drama in 1987. This initial winery, founded in Drama, remains solely owned by the Nico Lazaridis family.

In his quest for the ideal vineyards within the diverse terroirs of Drama, he selected the Agora community due to its optimal location, unique topography, and rich winemaking heritage. In 1997, he constructed the Château Nico Lazaridi Winery at a strategic site with commanding views of the entire plain and the majestic Mount Pangaio.

Within the winery, the renowned “Magic Mountain” art gallery was established to house and exhibit artworks specially created for this wine label. Moreover, artworks adorn most of the common areas. In 2000, the MAKEDON winery was founded at the base of Mount Pangeon, aiming to showcase the products of the broader Macedonian region and craft contemporary, high-quality wines.

Today, NICO LAZARIDI produces over 1,300,000 bottles of wine annually and exports its products to 21 countries worldwide.

1987

LOCATION – COORDINATES

The CHÂTEAU NICO LAZARIDI winery is situated within the Agora local community, which lies approximately 14 kilometers to the west of the city of Drama, located in the prefecture of Drama. (Coordinates: 41.131646606635115, 24.288541760589013)

NICO LAZARIDI’s second winery, MAKEDON, which is not open to visitors, is positioned in the Pieria Valley of the Kavala Prefecture. It is strategically situated in the heart of the wine- producing region, nestled on the slopes of Pangeon Mountain, within the local community of Platanotopos. (Coordinates: 40.84855632814593, 24.0673599033355)

WINE

At the Château Nico Lazaridi Winery, located in the Agora region, the carefully cultivated grape varieties yield wines bearing PGI Drama and Agora designations. Meanwhile, at the MAKEDON Winery, we craft wines with PGI Pangeon and Macedonia designations.

In recent years, the addition of new vineyards and collaborative efforts in the Naoussa and Amyndeon regions has broadened the range of products offered by NICO LAZARIDI.

VINEYARDS

NICO LAZARIDI’s vineyards in Agora are enveloped by natural features, with Mount Falakro to the north, the Menoikio mountain forming the western boundary of the prefecture, and Mount Pangeon gracing the southeast horizon. These vineyards are positioned within the vicinity of the local communities of Agora, Pigadia, and Adriani, spanning a total area of 80 hectares. Of this expanse, 65 hectares comprise privately owned vineyards, while approximately 15 hectares are contracted with the company and extend across the same regions.

The central vineyard, situated around the periphery of the Château Nico Lazaridi winery, encompasses an area of 35 hectares. Within this vineyard, a diverse array of grape varieties is cultivated, encompassing international selections like Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Ugni Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, and Sangiovese, as well as Greek varieties including Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Muscat, Xinomavro, and Mavroudi.

Location: Local Community of Agora, Municipality of Doxato
Total area: 75 Hectares
Orientation: from North to South and North-West, South-East exposure
Ground slope: from 0-7%
Altitude: 250 m.
Climate: Mediterranean with strong variations of temperature between day and night
Natural environment: agricultural land, stream bed, sedimentary soils with conglomerate rocks, which testify to the existence of water reservoirs in the distant past

VINEYARDS

NICO LAZARIDI has established its second winery and vineyards in the productive region within the local community of Platanotopos, nestled in the Pieria Valley. This location is situated on the southern side of Mount Pangeon, where it converges with Mount Symvolo to the southeast, extending towards the coastal area of the Kavala Prefecture and the mouth of the Strimonas River. It is a historically revered region, renowned for its fertile soil and favorable climate since ancient times. The slopes are sheltered by the encompassing mountains, while the waters of the Marmara River further enhance its natural protection. Over centuries, the local inhabitants have harnessed the immense potential of this land, giving precedence to grape and fruit cultivation. The vineyard under private ownership spans approximately 8 hectares. This area boasts a storied history in the art of grape cultivation, and our winery maintains enduring collaborations with numerous producers from the Pieria Valley, ensuring the fulfillment of our production requirements through established, long-term partnerships. The cultivated grape varieties encompass Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Semillon.

Location: Local Community Platanotopos of Kavala, Municipality of Pangeon, foothills of the Pangeon mountain
Total area: 7.5 Hectares
Orientation: The soils as a whole are slopes, the orientation is N-S & N-W, and the altitude from 150 to 200 meters
Climate: Mediterranean, mild, with natural protection from the Pangeon Mountain, with large temperature variations between day and night
Natural environment: agricultural land, vineyards and tree crops

INNOVATION

NICO LAZARIDI in its more than 30 years of viticultural experience has tested various techniques in terms of planting density and is constantly experimenting with different varietals. The aim is to apply the best cultivation methods in the long term and to enrich the vineyard with varietals that are perfectly integrated into the terroir of the area, in order to diversify its products and achieve sustainable development.