Minkov Brothers

Searching for the balance between tradition and modern viticulture technologies, Minkov Brothers has combined over 135 years of experience, favorable soil, favorable climate and passion for winemaking and now continues what the Minkov brothers left them.

Minkov Brothers has adopted traditional winemaking practices and supplemented them with new ideas and technologies. The terroir selected by Minkov Brothers gives the wines an excellent aroma and taste profile. The varieties they grow develop an immense potential and produce high quality, expressive and attractive wines. Inspired by the New World style, Minkov Brothers has been restoring the Minkov Brothers' wine cellar since 1875 - tradition with the aim of becoming a synonym for high quality and uniqueness.

Minkov Brothers are complex wines. Made from classic grape varieties, they ferment and mature in barrels. Their potential to mature in bottles makes them attractive to wine collectors.

With over 135 years of experience, beneficial soils combined with favorable climate and a passion for winemaking, the successful legacy of the Minkov Brothers is carried on.

The traditional method of winemaking has been adopted and supplemented with new ideas and technologies. The selected terroir gives the wines an excellent aroma and taste profile. Attractive wines are characterized by enormous potential and high quality production.

It becomes a synonym for high quality and uniqueness.

In the region of Karnobat, wine has been grown for many centuries. This has been proved by excavations of numerous Thracian hills in the area of Karnobat, where red-figured pottery with Dionysus and many other wine vessels have been found. Evidence of wine production in this area can be found in historical chronicles from the 5th to 4th century BC.

Later, at the time of the first Bulgarian Empire, the majestic medieval fortress of Markeli was important not only for defense but also as a wine storehouse. The imposing fortress is located 7.5 km west of the modern city of Karnobat and covers 70 hectares.

The well-kept vineyards and good wine in the Karnobat area are also mentioned in the travel reports of the ten foreign tourists who visited these areas in the 15th to 19th centuries, including Germans, French, English, Polish and Hungarians. According to reports, the locals were exceptionally careful and skilful, preparing new land for vineyards, fencing in the yards and cultivating the cultivars known today.

Not many people know that winegrowers from Karnobat won the first gold medal of Bulgaria at a world wine fair. The prize was awarded long ago, in 1894, by Ivan, Vasil and Nikifor Minkov, the Minkov brothers. They came from a noble family and were exceptionally progressive and enlightened. They all graduated from prestigious European universities, but decided to dedicate themselves to their greatest passion, viticulture. In 1875 the Minkov brothers founded their own winery in the Church Quarter - the part of the town of Karnobat connected with the revival of the Bulgarian nation. Nineteen years later, in 1894, they sent samples of their best wine to Brussels for the International Mass. The jury awarded this gold medal, making it the first Bulgarian wine to receive the most prestigious European prize at that time.

Today, the Minkov brothers' wine cellar has remained faithful to the traditions of the three brothers who founded the original winery in 1875. The cellar oenologists combine the authentic technologies of the wine masters of yesteryear with the most advanced winemaking skills.

The unique combination of terrain, climate and soil characteristics contributes significantly to the excellent quality of grapes in the Karnobat region. Both traditional Bulgarian and international grape varieties are grown in the Karnobat Valley. The diversity of varieties and characteristics of the region's terroir is an advantage for the production of high quality wines.

Ten to 15 kilometers west of Karnobat, near the road Burgas-Sofia, you can see the Minkov Brothers wine cellar, which rises neatly on a hill surrounded by vineyards. The architecture seems pleasant at first sight - an elegant retro style, which is harmonized by modern elements providing comfort and discreet luxury.

The wine cellar is located exactly where the oldest and best vineyards grow in the Karnobat area. It reawakens the fame of the famous winemakers, the Minkov Brothers, who in the late 19th century won the then prestigious Bulgarian International Prize from a wine fair. A long time ago, in 1875, Ivan, Vasil and Nikifor Minkov devoted themselves to their greatest passion, winemaking, in the Wine and Crafts Center of the city of Karnobat - the church district. The winning traditions of the winners led to great success. The gold medal of the Brussels Wine Fair in 1894 was followed by awards from the London Elite Wine Competitions and the Plovdiv International Fair. A century later, the restored wine cellar of the Minkov brothers is again the winner of international and national awards.

The wine has two museum areas, one of which is dedicated to the winemaking family and has authentic Minerva brothers, and the other tells the thousand years old history of winemaking in this region.

Guests have the opportunity to follow the entire winemaking cycle, from the harvest to the ageing in oak barrels in the underground tunnels. They can enjoy their favorite wines by the fireplace, between the barrels or on the tower, where there is a magnificent view.

The combination of high quality wines, picturesque landscapes, comfort and selected dishes that match the characteristics of the different wines make the stay an unforgettable experience and awaken a feeling of elegance and style.

The wines of Ivan, Vasil and Nikifor Minkov made Bulgaria famous by winning the country's first gold medal in Brussels in 1894. Today the Minkov Brothers Wine Cellar is faithful to the tradition of producing quality wines. More than a century after this first fame, the wines of the winery are winning more and more prizes at prestigious world championships and are highly appreciated by connoisseurs and experts.

One of the most important awards are:
1892 - Plovdiv, Bronze Medal - The First Bulgarian Agricultural Industrial Exposition
1894 - Brussels, Gold Medal - Exposition des Sciences & des Arts, Concours International Bruxelles
1907 - London, Honourable Mention - Balkan States Exibition, Earls Court London
2009 - Brussels, Gold Medal - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
2010 - Paris, Gold Medal - Vinalies Internationales
2010 - Plovdiv, Knight Grail - Knight Wine Grail, International Competition
2010 - Plovdiv, Golden Grail - Knight Wine Grail, International Competition

The winds caress the vines ...
The sun shines on the grapes ...
The rains quench their thirst ...
The earth that feeds them...
The natural strength that gives the wine its individual character.
The wine that makes it possible to feel the earth and the sensuality of time.

This is the terroir of the Karnobat Valley.

With the Black Sea to the east and the Aegean Sea to the south, the climate in the region is quite favorable. The sea breeze blowing during the day and night meets two local winds - the north and the south wind. The north wind blows in the afternoon and at dusk from high to low points to cool the heated earth. The south wind usually blows in the morning, from lower to higher points, to lift the morning dew and refresh the vines. These influences in the valley make the winter milder, the autumn long and warm and the spring cool. They prevent the summer heat.

According to the philosophy, the winemaking process begins in the vineyard. That is why three plots of land in the villages of Terziysko, Ognen and Devetak have been carefully selected to grow the vineyards and make your favorite wines. Despite their proximity to each other, the vineyards have their own character, which contributes to the complexity and attractiveness of the wines.

The territory of the village of Ognen is situated on the eastern slopes of Terziyski Hill and meets the Karnobat plain at an altitude of 184 to 225 meters. The vineyards are oriented to the southwest. The chestnut brown forest soil is slightly leached. After the mild winter and spring rain, the region enjoys warm sunshine until the late autumn days. These conditions allow the grapes to ripen well and are extremely favorable for the cultivation of red wine vines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir are grown here.

The area of Devetak village is located in the eastern part of the Sliven plain. The hilly landscape has small hills and hollows. The vineyards are located on the low hills at an altitude of 180 to 205 meters. Volcanic and sedimentary rocks are combined with sandy and clay soils. In this unique terrain, the sun's rays caress the slopes playfully, shining on them from all sides and offering the possibility to grow red and white grape varieties. A variety of traditional and modern varieties have been selected, including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel.

The territory of Terziysko village is situated on the eastern slopes of Terziyski Hill, where it meets the Karnobat plain. Low mountains and hills dominate the terrain. The vineyards face east and south and are situated at an average altitude of 350 meters. The soil is a chestnut brown forest soil with a very varied and rich structure. The rainfall distribution during the year is very favorable for the ripening of the grapes. The higher altitude and the cooler climate have proven to be suitable for white wine varieties. Rheinriesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel and Black Muscat were selected.

A team of agronomists and oenologists strictly controls and monitors the development of the vines, grapes and wines.
The harvesting season begins at the end of August and lasts until mid-November, with the ripening of the grapes in each vineyard being monitored individually. The high quality of the grapes guarantees the high quality of the wines. The grapes harvested by hand are placed in skins and transported to the winery, where the grapes are sorted out again.

The winery is equipped with the most modern equipment that complies with European standards. The must macerates and ferments in non-corrosive vinifiers at controlled temperatures. Depending on the style, some wines mature in barriques of French and American oak, placed in special underground tunnels.

In the cellar's Enoteca, old red wines are stored, which are preferred by collectors.

The wine cellar of Minkov Brothers is the most charming destination for wine tourism. It carries the spirit of Bulgarian renewal and the cosiness of an old town house. Built on a picturesque hill, it is situated in the middle of the beautiful vineyards of the Karnobat region. The architecture and the furnishings are in retro style.

In this romantic atmosphere you can taste the award winning white and red Minkov Brothers and Cycle wines. They are served with delicious traditional Bulgarian dishes and world cuisine. The wine cellar oenologists organize "trips" through the different styles of wine, which are available for selection.

You will be offered a particularly attractive opportunity to personally witness the stages of wine making. Harvesting is the most colorful ritual. The grapes are harvested by hand from more than 300 hectares of young vineyards near the villages of Devetak, Ognen and Terziysko. The exceptional terroir of this landscape contributes significantly to the high quality and unique character of the wines. Adventure lovers can visit the two 80 meter long tunnels under the wine cellar. There the Minkov Brothers wines age at natural temperatures in over 6,000 barriques made of American and French oak.