PDO MESSENICOLA

 On the southwestern side of the regional unit of Karditsa lies one of the most
impressive artificial lakes in Greece, Lake Plastira, known for its unparalleled natural
beauty and as a particularly popular tourist destination. At the northeastern end of
the lake lies the PDO Messenicola zone, established in 1994. Although it is one of the
newest PDO zones in Greece, it is also one of the smallest, with a total area of ​​only
950 acres.

 The zone includes vineyards at altitudes of up to 750 meters, within the
Plastira area, and specifically in the villages of Morfovouni, Messenicolas and
Moschato. Most of the vineyards extend across a valley that starts from the plain of

 Karditsa and ascends towards Lake Plastiras – a landscape that, in spring, comes alive
with the purple color of flowering koutsoupies. The Mavro Messenicola variety, which
also gives its name to the village in the area, is said to have taken its name from a
certain Monsieur Nicolas, who probably brought the vine during the period of
Turkish rule. It is a variety with special characteristics, which produces, in addition to
red and remarkable rosé wines. Its potential is enhanced through blending with the
international varieties Carignan and Syrah, which are also cultivated in the area. The
PDO Messenicola is the second Greek PDO wine – after the PDO Plagies Melitonas –
that allows foreign varieties in its composition. Due to the small size of the zone and

the existence of pre-existing wineries in the wider area when it was established, a
special transitional provision applies: the production of PDO wines from units
outside the zone is permitted, as long as they are located within the regional unit of
Karditsa.