From Living with My Grandparents by the Vineyard to Owning My Own Winery

When things are done with love, tourism develops more easily. And when things are learned from a young age, we know how to appreciate them when we grow up.

Macedonia is a country where wine tourism has enormous potential. We often ask ourselves whether we are even aware of the potential we have, given that positive reviews about Macedonian wine come from all directions.

When wine is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the Tikvesh region. A region that, in itself, carries many stories about the people who, throughout history, have invested everything to produce quality fruit. Many children who, in the past, worked from dusk till dawn in the vineyards are now owners of their own wineries. They have invested all their knowledge to build their own brand, telling their family story to many tourists.

Such is the story of Aleksandar Klincharov, originally from the village of Resava, whose family has spent their entire life working in the vineyards. Aleksandar recalls his childhood, when his peers went to kindergartens, while he was alongside his grandparents, who at the time were engaged in agriculture. Today, Aleksandar is the owner of the 'Klincharov' winery and selflessly shares the story of the family’s century-old tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.

The region from which Aleksandar comes, specifically the village of Resava in the Tikvesh region, is considered to produce the highest quality grapes and wine. He adds that even during the Ottoman rule, his family was known as one of the largest producers of grapes, which can be seen by the high tax on the wine must that his ancestors paid to the sultan.

Today, the main reason for Aleksandar's success is his grandfather Chando, who motivated his grandson to fall in love with the vine and the production of wine and rakija.

His family winery today covers an area of 1.2 hectares of vineyard, with an annual production of 17 to 20 tons of grapes. The greatest help in his work comes from his two daughters and his wife Roska, as well as her parents. Aleksandar says that everything they plant is processed by themselves, with additional help only needed during the harvest season when extra hands are required.

The motivation that family wineries are the future promoters of the Tikvesh region inspired him to register the family winery and put a stamp on the work of his ancestors. With the idea that wineries will be the main promoters of wine tourism development, two years ago the 'Tikvesh Family Wineries' association was formed, which now includes more than 30 families.

His family winery has two locations. One is located in Crveno Brdo, near the village of Begnishte, where the wine is processed, offering an excellent view of Tikvesh Lake, Mount Vishechnica, the highest peak Orle, and the beautiful vineyards. Aleksandar has also opened a tasting room, which is located in the city of Kavadarci.

Here, he has decorated an ethno corner where he keeps the old tools that have been passed down from his family, which were used for processing the grapevine and producing wine for decades.

Today, his winery offers four types of wine: 'Temjanika,' 'Riesling,' 'Stanušina,' and 'Vranec - Bela Česhma.

With the wine tasting, they serve various types of prosciutto, cheeses, and smoked cheeses, as well as the traditional Kavadarci gevrek with ajvar. The tasting also includes the old yellow rakija 'Klincharovka.'

Aleksandar says that the tradition, the preservation of the ethno style, and the story that is 100 years old and has passed through four generations make them different from the others.