The Greek winemaker Yiannis Boutaris passed away on November 9 in Thessaloniki. He was 82 years old. Boutaris is regarded as a pioneer of Greek viticulture and was the founder of the Kir-Yianni winery in Macedonia. The trained chemist and oenologist not only shaped the Greek wine industry but also engaged in environmental protection, politics, and the cultural renewal of his hometown Thessaloniki.
Boutaris came from a respected Greek wine dynasty but left the family business in the 1990s. In 1997, he founded Kir-Yianni to implement his own ideas. With Kir-Yianni, he established a new wine family dynasty, which is now run by his sons Michalis and Stelios and is known for sustainable practices and experiments with the Xinomavro grape. Boutaris’ wines have received multiple international awards.
However, his commitment extended far beyond winemaking. As early as 1992, Boutaris founded the environmental organization “Arcturos” to protect dancing bears and provide a refuge for endangered species such as bears, lynxes, and jackals. He was also active in various organizations, including WWF Greece. As president of the Greek Wine Association, he particularly advocated for protected designation of origin and the promotion of Greek wines.
From 2011 to 2019, Boutaris served as mayor of Thessaloniki, where he emphasized the multicultural heritage of the city, promoted German-Greek relations, and worked for better relations with neighboring countries Turkey and North Macedonia. For his services, he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2019.
With his death, Greece loses a wine pioneer and politician whose commitment went far beyond winemaking.
(ru / Ekathimerini)
Dining and Cooking