Kir-Yianni founder, legendary winemaker and Greek Wine maverick
November 15, 2024 – It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Yiannis Boutaris, our founder and iconic winemaker. He passed away on Saturday, 9 November, at the age of 82, surrounded by his family.
Larger than life, visionary, charismatic, innovator, maverick. Yiannis Boutaris is leaving his inspiring, profound mark at both the storied history and the future of Greek Wine. And far beyond wine. A restless force of nature known by his first name.
Kir-Yiannis will always hold a special place in our hearts.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT YIANNIS BOUTARIS (1942-2024):
He was born in Thessaloniki in 1942. As offspring of the Boutari family founded by his grandfather in 1879, Yiannis Boutaris’ career path was rather predestined, leading to his studies in Chemistry and Oenology. From very early, his restless spirit, unconventional way of thinking, groundbreaking pluralism, and solid belief in the power of collectiveness, had both inspired and jolted the Greek wine status quo. In the late 1960s, Yiannis Boutaris’ single varietal Xinomavro planting and pioneer viticulture R&D implemented, marked a new era for the rejuvenation of the region and the empowerment of the local producers. A few years later, his insightful appreciation of the Santorini vineyard triggered the development of the island’s viti-vini preservation and development.
He served as President of Greek Wine Federation, supported the scientific and research program of The Greek Wine Institute, and initiated the birth of wine tourism in Greece by co-founding the Association of Winemakers of North Greece in 1993, which respectively introduced the 8 Wine Roads of Northern Greece in 1997.
Profoundly inspired and driven by his “vigneron” soul, Yiannis Boutaris founded KIR-YIANNI in 1997, a year after leaving the family business. Named after how everybody used to call him (Kir stands for Sir in Greek), the new endeavor operated in both Naoussa and Amyndeon, the two grand terroirs of Northern Greece, key appellations to Xinomavro; even more so, Yiannis Boutaris perceived the huge potential of the Amyndeon region beyond Xinomavro, planting the first white varieties in selected parcels (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc in 1989 and later on Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Roditis). Today the region is acclaimed for its high altitude, cooler climate white wines.
He was honored as “Winemaker of the Year” in Sweden (1996) and in Greece (2003 by the Greek Wine Writers Association).
In 2004 Yiannis Boutaris officially passed the baton to his son, 5 th generation winemaker Stellios Boutaris, while his younger son Mihalis Boutaris is at the head of Vineyard R&D, Sustainability and Boutaris Foundation.
Blazing the sustainable trail
Yiannis Boutaris’ holistic philosophy, it was impossible to stay within the frontiers of the micro-world of wine, being an advocate for sustainability for over 30 years, at times when the term/notion had neither substance nor punch to the most. In 1992 he founded ARCTUROS, the non-profit environmental NGO aimed at preserving wildlife and its natural habitat, as well as the balance of biodiversity. Starting with the need to act against the captivation of bears (the phenomenon of dancing bears), today ARCTUROS is one of the most renowned NGOs in Greece and worldwide, with a trailblazing framework achieving among other to establish under protected status a total of 9 species.
He also served as Chairman at “Nature 2000” and member of the Management Board at “National Center of Environment and Sustainability” and WWF Greece.
In 2003 he was attributed the distinction of “European Hero” by TIME magazine for his work in the protection of natural environment, and in 2022 the special award “Viron Antypas” by the Hellenic Society of the Protection of Nature.
Politics and other activities
Yiannis Boutaris was the first winemaker in the world to become mayor of Thessaloniki in 2010 – re-elected for a second term of office in 2005. During his service he introduced an extrovert culture in Thessaloniki, following his vision to establishing the city as an open-minded, trailblazing driving force of culture, arts, sustainable tourism, wine, and gastronomy in the Balkans and beyond.
Moreover, Yiannis Boutaris was a founding member of the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Arts, President of Thessaloniki Holocaust Museum, and ongoing supporter of Thessaloniki International Film Festival. He was among the most prominent advocates for supporting human rights and equality (Thessaloniki Pride took place for the first time during his mayor service), an influential civil society activist.
He was a supporter and sponsor of ARIS Basketball team that set the new era for the sport in Greece.
