"The vineyard and wine traditions of Metsovo - Katogi Averoff" added to the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece

The Ministry of Culture, has been implementing, since 2006, the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003) in Greece.This year, among the bulletins approved and inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece was the bulletin for the vineyard and wine traditions of Metsovo - Katogi Averoff.

According to the decision of the Ministry of Culture, both the vineyard itself, as an endemic feature of the mountainous landscape of the region, and the tradition associated with viticulture and the exploitation of its products are inextricably linked to the cultural physiognomy and productive identity of Metsovo.

The replanting of the vineyard by Evangelos Averoff in 1958-1959 was a key project for its preservation. Since then, the vineyard has been maintained and cultivated with great care, while projects for its preservation have been carried out, such as the construction of small terraces of natural materials to reduce soil erosion.

The vineyard is promoted through the promotion of its wines. Some of them, bearing the Protected Geographical Indication 'Metsovo', act as local credentials as they succeed, through their aromatic and flavour characteristics, in conveying the elements of the mountain vineyard, elements that make it unique over time.

Every year in early autumn, this special vineyard, Yiniets, is prepared for harvesting. Especially this year, the harvest is very early, so most of the varieties have already been harvested and some, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, are still maturing in the vineyards for a while. Both people and animals in the area are on the alert. Birds and brown bears are lurking to taste the grapes. For many days the work is intense and keeps the entire winery staff busy. After all, harvesting in Metsovo is done manually and the whole process until the grapes are turned into wine requires many hands. Hands of all ages that work with a lively spirit and pass the baton to the next generation, keeping tradition as a living element of culture.