Vineyards
Seewines Spirit JSC is the owner of vineyards in two locations in Bulgaria - 13 ha, mostly planted with Muscat Otonel grape variety, in the land of the village of Lesichovo, Pazardjik and 1,5 ha of Syrah and Malbec in the land of the village of Siva Reka, Svilengrad
Lesichovo
The majority of the 13 ha of vineyards are young - 3-4 years old, which are just beginning to bear fruit, but the company also restores old plantings with the Muscat Ottonel variety (over 50 years old), and also owns about 2 ha with well developed 10-11-year-old vines in active fruiting. The main variety is Muscat Ottonel, but the company also invests in preserving and restoring endemic Bulgarian varieties. Thus, one of the plots represents a kind of viticultural library with its plantings of Rubin, Mavrud, Thracian Glory (a cross between Pamid and Mavrud), Black Sea Elixir (cross between Dimyat and Misket).
Climate
The terrain is flat-hilly with an average altitude of 290 m. The climate is transitional-continental. Winter is characterized by a light snow cover, it is mild, with average temperatures around 1ºС. Summer is sunny and cool with average temperatures around 22ºС. The Topolnitsa River crosses the village in its lower course and is a leading factor for the mild microclimate, contributing to the full and timely ripening of the grapes.
Terroir
The vineyards are located on the low, hilly slopes of Sredna Gora, on alluvial and cinnamon forest soils. The altitude here is 250-350m, and the exposition of the plantations determines the uniform exposure from the sun. The main water artery flowing through the territory of the Lesichovo municipality is the Topolnitsa River. The embankment of the river next to the village itself is used as a catchment for the waters from the "Belmeken" dam, which through the Momina Klisura-Lesichovo-Stryama canal are fed to the "Piasčnik" dam. The six micro-dams built and the developed canal network create good opportunities for irrigation.
Siva Reka
Siva Reka is located in one of the southernmost and warmest points of Bulgaria, near the border with the Republics of Turkey and Greece. The Maritsa River, the second largest river in Bulgaria, after the Danube River, passes in close proximity and determines the terroir of the region, as its course carries the Mediterranean influence on the climate. 1 ha of Syrah and 0,4 ha of Malbec are the plantations of Seewines Spirit, and the goal is the production of high quality red wines.
Climate
Siva Reka falls in the continental Mediterranean climatic region, with a noticeable influence of the mild in temperature seaside region of the Aegean Sea, which runs along the bed of the Maritsa River. The most characteristic features of this type of climate are the warm summer and mild winter, the small annual temperature amplitude, the autumn-winter maximum of precipitation and the lack of stable snow cover. These climatic conditions are extremely suitable for growing agricultural crops.
Terroir
The region is one of the warmest regions of the country. Average annual temperatures vary between 12.6°C and 13.6°C. Average July temperatures are between 22-24°C and average January temperatures range from 0 to 1-2°C above freezing. The region is also characterized by a long duration of sunshine - 2240-2249 hours per year, with maxima in the months of July and August. The soils are mainly alluvial-meadows, which are characterized by a thick humus horizon, accumulating mineral substances every year. Thanks to the warm air masses coming from the Aegean Sea along the Maritsa River, late spring colds and frosts are rare, as well as early autumn frosts and frosts. Another feature of terroir is the absence of rapid and extreme changes over time. All this determines the appropriate conditions for the specific grape varieties characteristic of the more southern parts of France - syrah and malbec.
Working with Nature
We believe in working with, not against, nature - we apply organic practices in viticulture and gentle techniques in production. We do not use pesticides and herbicides, and nutrition is done through manure and weeding in the rows.
