145 years of history
A short review
Our story begins in Naoussa, Macedonia in 1879, when Ioannis Boutaris founded the winery that bears his name. In 1906 the construction of the first privately owned winery and retail cellar in the city becomes a reality, while in 1935 new horizons are opened with their first wine exports to Austria, Hungary and Egypt. In 1989, Boutari Winery innovates once again by investing in wine tourism, being the first to open the doors of the Santorini winery to the public. In 2004, our privately owned vineyard in Crete is exploited and one of the most modern wineries in Europe is created. In 2022, Boutari Wineries turns a new page, becoming a member of the Sterner Stenhus Greece group. Respecting the historicity of a name synonymous with Greek wine, maintaining and upgrading its high position, the new era for Boutari is here with a promise, to continue to create high art in wine
1879
Foundation of the Boutaris Winery
The Boutari Winery was founded in Naoussa, Imathia, by Ioannis Boutaris, launching the production and distribution of premium bottled red wine. Back then, the remarkable journey that Boutari Winery was destined to follow was still inconceivable.
1906
Opening of the first privately owned winery and retail cellar in Naoussa.
In 1906, the first privately owned winery and retail cellar opened in Naoussa. It would launch the production of the first Greek red bottled wine under the renowned "Naoussa Boutari” label, claiming great popularity among wine lovers.
1935
First exports to Austria, Hungary and Egypt.
From the mid-1930s, Stelios Boutaris, son of the founder Ioannis Boutaris, took over the reins and opened up to the major foreign markets, starting with Austria, Hungary and Egypt. In the post-war period, he expands the winery's activities in Athens and other European countries.
In the same decade, the second winery of the winery opens in Naoussa, at 2 Vrysakiou Street and lays the foundations for the years to come.
1968
A shift to viticulture, with the first vineyard in Giannakochori, Imathia.
Stelios' two sons, Giannis and Konstantinos Boutaris, took over the winery, propelling it to new heights and shaping it into what it is today. This was also the year when Boutari winery turned to vine growing by purchasing its first vineyard in Giannakochori, Imathia.
1978
Launch of a new state-of-the-art winery in Naoussa.
A new state-of-the-art winery was opened in Stenimachos, Naoussa, which remains the center of our production, bottling and aging processes to this day. It would grow to become the flagship winery of Boutari.
1980-1991
From local Greek origins to international markets
During this decade, the winery’s operations expanded to most major wine-producing regions in the country. The first wineries were opened near the privately-owned vineyards in Goumenissa, Santorini, Nemea, and Crete. During the 1980s, we launched in Attica our collaboration with the iconic vine grower Roxanne Matsa. All Boutari wineries are now actively involved in the cultural, social and economic growth of their host communities, highlighting each region’s unique identity and vine-growing qualities. Aligned with global developments, Boutari winery also experiments in the cultivation of Greek and foreign varieties, having launched a series of experimental wines. Thanks to their popularity, wines like Moschofilero Boutari, Agiorgitiko Boutari, Xinomavro and the foreign varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah have joined our main portfolio of successful labels.
1991-2004
Investing in wine-making and wine tourism.
Ahead of its time, the Boutari winery opened the doors of its wineries to the public, starting with Santorini, followed by Naoussa and Goumenissa. Wine tours became an added pleasure for wine lovers.
2004-2005
Development and international visibility
In 2004, the company purchased the vineyard in Scalani, Crete. Renovating the winery facilities of the estate, we took a long-term view and laid the foundations for wine tourism. In 2005, we became the first Greek winery to expand its activities outside Greece. We purchased Domaine de Mayrac, a winery surrounded by a 700-hectare organic vineyard in the south of France.
2009
"European Winery of the Year 2008” top distinction.
In 2009 one of the most prestigious international wine magazines, Wine Enthusiast, awarded the Boutari winery the top distinctionEuropean Winery of the Year 2008.
2013
Naoussa Boutari among the world’s "Top 100".
In 2013, the iconic Naoussa Boutari label earned the biggest and most important distinction in its long history from “Wine Spectator”, the world-famous American wine magazine, which singled it out among the "Top 100 of 2013”. A distinction serving as a recognition of the winery’s trajectory to this day.
2015
Scalani Hills: Boutari Winery and Residences in Crete
In 2015, Scalani Hills Boutari Winery and Residences in Crete is inaugurated, consisting of three luxury residences in the old part of the estate, in the vineyard. In the same year, the estate in Skalani, Crete, will be re-vamped. The original vineyard, which was created in the early 1990s, is being redesigned, utilizing the results of the long and systematic work that had been done in the area and the analysis methods used in Accuracy Viticulture. Wine tourism at Boutari wineries is now a fact.
2020
“Wine & Spirits” magazine honored Boutaris winery for the 19th time.
In 2020, for the 19th consecutive year, American magazine "Wine & Spirits" honored Boutaris Winery with the "Winery of 2020” distinction. Competing with global wine giants, it was ranked among the world's top 6 wineries.
2022
A new page begins for Boutari Wineries.
With a vision to preserve the heritage of the historic Boutari name and further develop it, the new key investors Elias and Thomas Georgiadis promise to continue the long tradition of Boutari wineries.
