Rupel

"When it comes to grapes and wine, soil and climate determine if not everything, then almost everything! The rest is a matter of labor and knowledge!"

The Rupel Gorge is a picturesque gorge of the Struma River between the slopes of the Belasitsa and Sengelska mountains. The Rupel winery is located right there, opposite the asymmetrical, gentle and steep valley slopes of the gorge.

Inspired by the place, which embodies traditions and historical past, we follow a trend with the spirit and innate attitude towards wine since ancient times - to create good wines, with a modern style and sensory impact.

The vineyards of Rupel Winery are located in the southwesternmost parts of Bulgaria on the slopes of the "Durlyovitsa" area in the lands of Hârsovo and Dolno Spanchevo villages.

The villages of Hârsovo and Dolno Spanchevo originated in the 10th century. Even then, about 1200 decares of vineyards were cultivated in the lands of the villages – mainly Pamid and Shiroka Melnik Vine, and the wine produced from them has spread the fame of the region throughout the world for millennia. Merchants came here from Dubrovnik even before the 13th century. The wine's fame even reached the prominent politician Winston Churchill, who also ordered this local wine elixir.

Vineyards

The vineyards are established with grape varieties recommended for the region, in a wine-growing area with some of the best soils and a climate reminiscent of a small Tuscany. When selecting the varieties, importance is given to suitable terroir for red varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, Melnik 55, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo. In 2017, the varieties Pinot Noir, Rubin, Vermentino, Viognier and Sandanski Misket were also planted

Terroir

The presence of bigur in the soils, which retains moisture, and the Aegean wind, penetrating through the Rupel Gorge, ensure a favorable environment for the development of vineyards even in the hottest summer months. Thus, the terroir characteristics, combined with the beauty of the surrounding mountains Belasitsa, Pirin, Ograzhden, Ali Botush, gentle hills, valleys, and the unique contours of the Rupel Gorge, became a prerequisite for establishing the vineyards and the winery in the village of Dolno Spanchevo.

Climate

The climate is exceptionally suitable: dry and hot summers, long and humid autumns, extremely rare snow cover, fertile soils formed by river deposits and mixed with volcanic deposits from the extinct Kozyuh volcano in the region. The row and inter-row distances are adjusted to the climatic characteristics of the area and the growth vigor of individual varieties. This provides sufficient nutrient area for the individual vines, favoring the sun exposure and ventilation of the vineyard.