Ohrid and its famous lake are quickly becoming one of the top tourism destinations in the Balkans. As yet there are vineyards here but no commercial wineries. It is surely only a matter of time before investment flows however.
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Internationally famous and a UNESCO world heritage site, the town of Ohrid straddles Lake Ohrid whose shores lap neighbouring Albania. One of the most interesting places for viticulture here is Vevchani, just north of the lake and on the border with Albania. Here the air is fresh and mountain breezes cool the fruit. At between 800 and 900m above sea level there is sufficient precipitation to negate the need to irrigate. Soils here are mainly red and irrigation isn’t required. White varieties are prominent, particularly Riesling, Muscat Ottonel and Chardonnay whose ripening profile benefits from the lower temperatures.
