Villa Yambol

1924 - One of the oldest wine cellars in Southern Bulgaria is founded and later transformed into Villa Yambol.

1965 - The Straldzha wine cellar was opened in 1965, marking the beginning of modern winemaking in the region.

1975 - New production facilities were introduced in Yambol, which transformed the cellar into the largest and most modern winery in Southern Bulgaria.

1993 - 75% of all Bulgarian wines imported in the Nordic countries were produced by Villa Yambol.

1994 - Villa Yambol presented for the first time the export of bottled wines, which immediately shifted the focus from bulk to bottles.

2003 - Villa Yambol wines represented about 50% of all Bulgarian red wines. They were imported to Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands. The winery also exported wines to Norway, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Austria, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the USA.

2005 - Successful launch of the new series of high quality red and white wines PERSONA.

2006 - Implementation of an extensive investment program, including a major overhaul of the entire cellar, a new heating system, two additional bottling lines, renovation of existing bottling lines and part of the warehouses.

2009 - Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 is awarded the Golden Rython at Vinaria 2009. Samples are taken randomly from the stores.

2011 - A new brand was introduced in 2011 - Villa Yambol. These are good, reasonably priced wines that are perfect for everyday use with your family. - Persona Cabernet Franc 2008 won the Golden Rython at the Vinaria 2011

2016 - The company changed its name after its most successful wine brand, which was officially renamed from Yambol Winery to Villa Yambol Villa Yambol Merlot 2015 won the Golden Rhyton of Vinaria 2016 in the "Young Red Wine" category.

Villa Yambol has two production plants for red, white and sparkling wines in the city of Yambol and in Straldzha.

In the period 2003-2005, significant investments were made.

Among the significant investments in 2003-2005 were the increase of the production capacity, the purchase of new distillation columns, fermenters, pumps, French and Bulgarian oak barrels and the construction of a new cooperative. The processing capacity for grapes was over 16 million kg and the storage capacity was over 18 million liters.

Production capacity of Yambol Winery

The production facility in Yambol has a storage capacity of 11,000 tons and could process 500 tons of raw material per day. It also has 3 bottling lines with a capacity of 3,000 bottles per hour.

Master couplers make new barrels from high quality oak.

Villa Yambol is one of the few companies in Bulgaria that has its own cooperation house. Master couplers with many years of experience produce here new barrels from high quality Bulgarian oak. In the workshop they also recycle old barrels to a French technology. The company has more than 800 French oak barriques with a capacity of 225 liters and more than 1000 Bulgarian barriques with a capacity of 500 and 225 liters. The old barrels are regularly replaced by new ones every 3-4 years.

It is an amazing fact that Bulgarian oak is second only to French quality.

The Straldzha district has a very good terroir and a long tradition of distillation.

The first Bulgarian Muscat brandy (Rakija) was produced here.

The winery produces one of the best brandies in Bulgaria - "Straldzha Muscat Brandy", which has been awarded with numerous national and international prizes.

The various grape varieties cultivated by Villa Yambol are planted in accordance with the special soil and climate conditions of the Yambol region.

Yambol region

The region is part of the Thracian Lowlands with a moderate continental climate and good rainfall distribution during the growing season. Here you can find most of the red grape varieties of Bulgaria. The climatic conditions of the region, which are protected by strong winds, favor the production of magnificent, full-bodied red wines with ripe forest fruit aromas and spicy herbal character.

Climate in the Yambol region

The climate of the region is continental, with persistent sunshine in summer and mild, warm autumns, resulting in good ripening of the grapes, which accumulate all the substances necessary for the production of quality wines.

The village of Troyanovo

Near the village of Troyanovo in the Burgas region, a new vineyard of 200 hectares is being planted with white grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano), Viognier, Glera and Muscat Ottonel. The area is characterized by well aerated, medium leached, heavy clay soils.

Climate around the village of Troyanovo

This area is part of the climate zone of the Eastern Balkan Mountains and has a temperate continental climate with an average annual temperature of 12.2°C and an average annual rainfall of 539 mm.

Due to the nature of the soil and the favorable climatic conditions, the area is very well suited for growing vineyards and producing grapes of very good quality.

Villa Yambol has 900 hectares of its own vineyards, located in the Tundzha River Valley. The place is carefully selected in a mountainous, environmentally friendly area, far away from the big city. The different grape varieties are planted taking into account the specific soil and climate conditions of this region.

Bolyarovo and Tenevo

Another part of the vineyards is located near the town of Bolyarovo and the village of Tenevo in the Yambol region, two areas with wine-growing traditions and a very good combination of soil and climate, ideal for the production of red grapes. Near Bolyarovo there is a 100 ha massif with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. In 2006 the company added new plots of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The cinnamon forest soils contribute to the desired sweetness and fullness of the wines.

Modern planting technologies

The vineyards are cultivated with new, modern planting machines that meet all EU requirements - crops with evasive sections that provide very good soil treatment; sprayers with ultra-small sprayers that ensure good coverage during treatment with pesticides and protect plants from pathogens; contour machines that prune green during the growing season ensure good sun exposure of the grapes so that the grapes can collect more sugar and color pigments.

Topolitza region

Topolitza is located in the Bulgarian east wine region. This region is characterized by sandy clay soils with total carbonates of up to 52% in a depth of 150-200 cm.

Climate of the region

Topolitza is situated in the climate zone of the eastern Balkan mountains with moderate continental climate. The area is characterized by warm summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures are about 22-24ºC. The average annual air temperature is -12.1ºC. The average annual rainfall is 540 mm. Duration of stable temperatures above 15ºC -151 days. Height - 150 m above sea level.

Vineyards
Vineyards with Syrah - 13 ha.
Vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon - 13 ha.
Vineyards with nutmeg - 9 ha.

The wines and brandies of Villa Yambol Ltd. have been awarded numerous prestigious prizes in national and international degustation competitions. The company is passionate about its heritage.

Bulgaria has been producing wine for over 5000 years. Centuries ago the ancient Thracians settled the territory. It is believed that Thracians were the first ancient civilization to cultivate vineyards and produce wine. They are also the founders of the wine cult and used wine as a ritual sacrifice to their gods. In this wondrous ancient world full of secrets, Thracian priests used wine in rituals and sacred ceremonies as a symbol of unity between humans and gods.

Trakite Villa Yambol

Dionysus - The god of wine, vine and festivals

The god of wines and festivals and his famous Dionysian feasts occupy a central place in the ancient Thracian culture. During the joyful wine celebrations beautiful women praised Dionysus in an ecstatic frenzy of dancing and murmuring. Initially, wine was produced mainly in the Maritza and Tundzha river valleys and in the seaports. That is why these areas are still the strongholds of the local wine-making traditions.

The proof of the Thracians' highest esteem for wine can be found in numerous Bulgarian Thracian gold and silver treasures, most of which are beautiful wine portions. The Thracians were some of the best winemakers in ancient times. The fragrant aromatic wine produced in our countries was famous all over the world; Homer himself praised its quality.

The ancient Thracian temples glorified the sun. From an astrological point of view, the sun is connected with the heart. The Thracian says that wine has a sacred connection with blood. Therefore wine and blood carry the divine spirit and were associated with ancient sacred rituals.