A deep crimson wine bursting with aromas of dark berries, spice and oak has brought international acclaim to a Greek winery. EMPHASIS Syrah 2023, produced by Pavlidis Estate in the northern Greek region of Drama, has been awarded a Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious competitions dedicated exclusively to wines made from the Syrah grape.

The distinction places the Greek label among the world’s top Syrah wines and further strengthens the reputation of a region that many wine enthusiasts regard as one of Greece’s premier winemaking destinations.

A grape with a global legacy

The story of Syrah begins in France’s Rhône Valley, where the river flows from Switzerland through the Alps before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The region’s combination of abundant sunshine and a warm climate has long made it ideal for cultivating the grape variety, producing wines known for their deep color, rich body, pronounced tannins and moderate acidity.

Young Syrah wines typically reveal aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, black pepper and violet. As they mature, they develop more complex notes of chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, coffee, olives and sweet spices. Their structure and depth make them a natural companion for smoked meats, game, slow-cooked dishes, grilled steaks and mature hard cheeses.

Today, Syrah is cultivated across the globe, with each wine-producing country expressing the variety differently. French examples tend to be elegant, herbal and peppery, while Australian versions are often more fruit-forward, featuring chocolate and sweet spice characteristics. In Greece, Syrah is widely grown throughout Macedonia, as well as in the Peloponnese, Central Greece and Crete. It is often bottled on its own or blended with the indigenous Agiorgitiko grape to create softer, fruit-driven wines.

Yet one Greek Syrah has recently stood out from the rest: EMPHASIS Syrah 2023 from Pavlidis Estate.

Gold at Syrah du Monde 2026

The international Syrah du Monde 2026 competition took place in Ampuis, a village in the northern Rhône Valley renowned for its winemaking heritage. Hosted in a striking 11th-century castle surrounded by vineyards, the competition brought together Syrah wines from around the world, including red, rosé, dry, sweet, still and sparkling expressions.

Over two days, on May 19 and 20, an expert panel with more than 20 years of experience assessed entries under rigorous judging criteria to identify the finest examples of the variety.

The result was a Gold Medal for EMPHASIS Syrah 2023, produced from vineyards owned by Pavlidis Estate on the slopes of Mount Menikio near Drama at an altitude of approximately 400 meters.

The wine is vinified and aged for 16 months in French oak barrels before spending an additional 12 months in bottle. The result is a wine with a deep purple color and violet highlights, aromas of blackberry, forest fruits, sour cherry and subtle oak, and a full-bodied palate marked by ripe tannins and a spicy finish.

According to the winery, the wine continues to improve with bottle age. It is best served between 16°C and 18°C and pairs particularly well with grilled or oven-roasted beef, slow-cooked meat dishes, roasted meats and medium-intensity hard cheeses.

Positioned as a premium label, EMPHASIS Syrah 2023 is now internationally recognized as one of Greece’s standout expressions of the variety—a wine crafted for special occasions.

The vision behind Pavlidis Estate

Pavlidis Estate is located in Kokkinogia, near Drama, in a region often described by wine lovers as “the Bordeaux of Greece” because of its favorable terroir and growing reputation for high-quality wines.

The winery was founded in 1998 by Christoforos Pavlidis, a businessman whose primary profession was in the marble industry but who developed a deep passion for viticulture and winemaking. Recognizing the potential of an undeveloped 20-hectare site in a narrow valley surrounded by the Falakro, Menikio and Pangaio mountains, he planted the first vineyards and commissioned architect Panagiotis Hatzinas to design the winery.

The modern, minimalist facility houses state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, while its underground cellars maintain strictly controlled environmental conditions for ageing wines. Alongside oak barrels and tanks, ceramic amphorae are also used during the maturation process.

The estate’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that every wine’s personality is born in the vineyard. Visitors can discover that philosophy firsthand through guided tastings held in the winery’s specially designed tasting hall, where the estate showcases the wines that have helped establish its reputation both in Greece and increasingly abroad.