The Participating organizations in the program are:

• VAENI NAOUSSA
• REGIONAL VINE AND WINE CHAMBER TRAKIA (RVWC)

VAENI NAOUSSA

The VAENI Naoussa Co-op is one of the most highly progressive wine-producing units in Greece, representing 50% of the local wine production, area renowned for its exquisite red wines. The members of the co-operative are 200 experienced vine growers, driven by their drive for quality wines. This vital human factor, combined with the use of advanced technology, guarantees the quality of the wine, which is mainly sourced from “Xinomavro”, an indigenous variety that dominates northern Greece.The wineries are staffed with qualified experts and operate according to the European standards. It is situated within the boundaries of the viticultural region, which is an advantage for the product itself. Summarizing co-operation’s main characteristics are its experience, reliability and an artistic feeling.

Vaeni Naoussa Coop is one of the most historic trade organizations in Greece. Since 1983 when it was founded operates as an Agricultural Cooperative located in Episkopi of Naoussa (prefecture of Imathia Central Macedonia NUTS2 region).Under the new Law 4384/2016 for Agricultural Cooperatives its statute was harmonized and codified. It has 200 vine growers members all located at the appellation zone of Naoussa.

Vaeni Naoussa is one of the 26 wine producers of the zone and the only of cooperative nature. In 2015 according to 5907/28.03.2017 response of the competent department of the Region of Central Macedonia, the total number of vine growers who declared wines of the Xinomavro variety for the production of the Naoussa PDO was 198. Vaeni Naoussa declared 6.409.45 HL l Xinomavro for PDO winescoming from 101 vine producers of the zone. This make Vaeni Naoussa Coop representative of the Naoussa PDO wine of Xinomavro variety, as it represents 51.1% as a proportion of the number of producers. In addition the volume of the PDO Naoussa Xinomavro marketable production of corresponding to Vaeni Naoussa for the same year was 45% of the total.

Naoussa

The town of Naoussa sits at the foot of Mount Vermion, at an altitude of 330m above sea level. The old town was founded in the late 14th-15th century AD.According to the ancient Greek mythology, Semeli, the mother of God ionysos, lived on the slopes of Mt Vermion. It is also believed that the magnificent dancer Silinos, the faithful companion of the God of vineyard and wine, was born in this area.

Today's Naoussa, apart from enjoying the privilege of unspoilt natural beauty, carefully maintains its age-old heritage. At the same time, there has been significant economic development mainly by supporting and promoting Naoussa's vineyard and wine.

Regional Vine and Wine Chamber Trakia (RVWC)

Regional Vine and Wine Chamber (RVWC) "Trakia" is an association - a legal non-profit entity established as interprofessional organization under the Wine and Spirits in conjunction with Art. 38, par. 1, point 5 of the national law for non-profit organizations. The Chamber covers the vineyards area, including lands, growers and traders of grapes and the wine region of western Thrace within the limits set by the National Vine and Wine Chamber. The territorial jurisdiction of RVWC Trakia includes: Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Smolyan. RVWC Trakia operates in compliance with the resolutions of the General Assembly of the National Vine and Wine Chamber.

RVWC members produced 2017 94.1 % PDO(1.354 hl) and 72.8% PGI(16.546.87 hl) of the Mavrud variety (a unique variety at European level) from the total national productionof PDO Mavrud at 1,343.61 hl and PGI Mavrud at 21,399.85 hl. which makes the RVWC Trakia the most representative national organization for PDO/PGI wines produced from the Mavrud variety.

In the territory of RVWC Trakia there are 5 786 registered producers of wine grapes (natural and legal persons) and 58 winemakers.Ιn Bulgaria the 66.33% of the vineyards are of black grape varieties while the rest 33.63% are white grape varieties. The territories that RVWC represents, sum the 41.692% of the national vineyards with black grape varieties and the 14.52% of the vineyards with white grape varieties.

RVWC Trakia is a very proactive organization that works directly with its chamber members and other local and international partners for the continual development of the Bulgarian wine industry. These initiatives include local promotional activities, such as; wine tourism, special events and wine celebrations, and promotional activities for all aspects of the wine industry to European and other world communities.

In following this rich heritage of over six millennia of wine making traditions, history and mythology, Bulgarian wine producers to represent their wine culture and high standards to local and world markets. These standards, founded historically and reinforced by both European and world production technologies, are reflected in all aspects of grape and wine production from the caring of vineyards to final results of quality Bulgarian wines.