Velis Vineyards, Western Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
Image: Agronomist, Nikolay Kovachev pruning Velis Vineyards’ old vines in the western Thracian Valley of Bulgaria.
Velis Vineyards, Western Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
Velis Vineyards is a unique cross-border wine project, founded by Michael and Velichka Zehe in 2010. It started with the accidental discovery of a small parcel of old Cabernet Sauvignon vines, planted in the 1970s, in the western Thracian Valley of Bulgaria. Almost miraculously, the founders spotted an abandoned vineyard while taking a detour through the Bulgarian countryside due to roadworks on the highway. The anaconda-looking vines stirred Michael’s interest, who soon turned into their saviour. The old vineyard was about to be cut for firewood.
For the love of wine and nature, Michael and Velichka decided to recultivate it, but this was only the beginning. Realising the potential of the terroir and the micro-climate, Zehe acquired additional 36 hectares of land near the villages of Karabunar and Boshulya in the following years. With the help of the agronomist, Nikolay Kovachev, who remains closely involved in the preservation of the old vine vineyard, and the direction of the late winemaker, Klaus Scherner, Zehe studied the soils and opted to plant French grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc). In 2019, they also set up vineyards in Michael’s home village in Germany’s Rheinhessen – Flörsheim-Dalsheim – planting Riesling, Schwarzriesling, Chardonnay and Spätburgunder, thus expanding the Velis Vineyards portfolio further.
All grapes, including the ones grown in Bulgaria, are vinified at their winery in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, for the production of wines under the brand Velis Vineyards. At present, Clemens Engel is at the helm of winemaking. In 2020, they opened a winery in Karabunar, Bulgaria, and launched a new series of wines – Villa Velis – which are made by Gergana Genova.
Velis Vineyards’ Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is due to be released later this year (2023).
For more information visit:
velis-vineyards.com
@velisvineyards & @villa.velis
FB: Velis Vineyards & Villa Velis
LinkedIn: velis-vineyards
Twitter: Velis Vineyards