Winery Iliev: Kavadarci, Macedonia

Today, we have the honor of introducing you to Stojan, the man behind the name of the family-owned Iliev Winery.

Stojan took some time to share the story of the winery and introduce the readers and travelers of Kajak.mk to the ambition his great-grandfather had more than 60 years ago.

Everything that is known today as "Iliev Winery" began with grape cultivation. Stojan's great-grandfather was a passionate producer of wine and rakija. Stojan describes himself as a child who grew up in a farming family with a long-standing tradition. In 2005, the family decided to crown this tradition by officially registering their own winery in the village of Sopot, near Kavadarci, and launching their first wine for sale.

Iliev Winery is a small family-owned winery located in the Tikveš wine region, specializing in the production of high-quality wines from Temjanika, Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, all made from their own grapes. The winery produces 10,000 liters of wine annually, with the goal of increasing production year by year.

Their most significant and best-selling wine is the Rosé, followed closely by Temjanika and Riesling, while among the reds, Cabernet Sauvignon stands out.

The winery is situated in the most renowned wine region in Macedonia—the Tikveš region, specifically in the village of Sopot near Kavadarci. Visiting Tikveš without exploring its vast vineyards and savoring the sweet taste of its wines is nearly impossible.

Today, Stojan leads the winery, supported by his father Dimche, who is also an experienced connoisseur of wine and viticulture.

Stojan is a student at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Skopje, specializing in food technology. His goal is to enrich his knowledge in wine production and elevate the family tradition to a higher level.

Currently, the winery does not offer tastings or organized visits. However, anyone in the area who wishes to visit is welcome to stop by, get to know the winery, and taste the wines.