Several villages are included inthe 'Nom d'Origine' Pitsilia, an area that spreads around the mountain peaks of Madari, Papoutsa and the north-western part of Machairas. Here the altitude secures a more slow and effortless grape maturity, whilst the arid and sloping earth forces the vines to huddle together and produce richer wines. Classic local grape varieties continue to have a dominant presence amongst the vineyards of Pitsilia, with occasional encounters of the Maratheftiko, a rare variety which the old wine frowers cultivated in between the Mavro in order to enrich the colour and smell of their wines.