"In the case of grapes and wine, the soil and the climate decide if not everything, then almost everything! The rest is a matter of work and knowledge! ”
The Rupel Gorge is a picturesque gorge on the Struma River between the slopes of Belasitsa Mountain and Sengelska Mountain. Right there, opposite the asymmetrical slopes and steep valley slopes of the gorge is the Rupel wine cellar.
Inspired by the place, which has gathered traditions and historical past, we follow a trend with the spirit and the genetics inherent in wine since ancient times - to create good wines with a modern style and sensory impact.
The vineyards of Rupel winery are located in the most southwestern parts of Bulgaria on the slopes of the locality "Durlyovitsa" in the lands of the villages of Harsovo and Dolno Spanchevo.
The beginnings of the villages of Harsovo and Dolno Spanchevo date back to the 10th century. Even at that time, about 1,200 decares of vineyards were grown in the land of the villages - mostly pamid and a wide Melnik vineyard, and the wine produced by them has been spreading the fame of the region around the world for thousands of years. Merchants came here before the 13th century from Dubrovnik. The fame of the wine reached the prominent politician Winston Churchill, who also ordered from this local wine elixir.
Vineyards
The vineyards are created from varieties recommended for the region, in a wine-growing region with some of the best soils and a climate reminiscent of a small Tuscany. When choosing the varieties, importance is given to the appropriate terroir for the red varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marseille, Melnik 55, San Giovese, Nebiolo. In 2017, the varieties Pinot Noir, Ruby, Vermentino, Viognier and Sandanski Muscat are also planted.
Terroir
The presence of bigur in the soils, which retains moisture and the Aegean wind, which penetrates through the Rupel fault, provide a favorable environment for the development of vineyards even in the hottest summer months. Thus, the terroir features, combined with the beauty of the surrounding mountains Belasitsa, Pirin, Ograzhden, Ali Botush, sloping hills, valleys and unique outlines of the Rupel Gorge, became a prerequisite for the construction of vineyards and wineries in the village of Dolno Spanchevo.
Climate
The climate is extremely suitable: dry and hot summers, long and humid autumns, extremely rare retention of snow cover, fertile soils formed by river sediments and mixed with volcanic deposits from the extinct volcano "Kozhuh". The inter-row and intra-row distances are in accordance with the climatic peculiarities of the region and the strength of growth for the individual varieties. This gives sufficient nutrient area to the individual vines, favors the heating and ventilation of the vineyard.
