A vineyard lunch in the Thracian Lowlands with Alexandra Estate wines

We traveled from Sofia to Alexandra Estate, arriving at lunchtime. When we arrived a table with delicious food and Alexandra Estate wines was waiting in the vineyard. Perhaps, you already know that a vineyard lunch on a beautiful spring day is impossible to beat. Alexandra Estate, Rakitnitsa Vineyard is in the Thracian Lowlands, one of Bulgaria's five wine regions (Thracian Lowlands, Rose Valley, Danube Plain, Black Sea Region, and Struma Valley). Yes, this vineyard lunch was a great introduction to Alexandra Estate wines.

A Vineyard Lunch, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

Alexandra Estate began in 2012 with the purchase of 200 acres of prime vineyards (Oreshets Vineyard). Then in 2013 100 more acres (Rakitnitsa Vineyard) was added. In 2014 they began the establishment of a winery in Rakitnitsa, with design plans for a second winery in Oreshets village, Harmanli. What distinguishes Alexandra Estate wines is that they follow organic and biodynamic farming methods.

Arriving at Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

The Rakitnitsa Vineyard sits on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, with village in the distance.

View from Alexandra Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood

A Vineyard Lunch with Alexandra Estate Wines

Lunch Waiting, Alexandra Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Upon arrival we were greeted with a glass of Alexandra Estate, Rosé Mourvedre & Grenache 2015.

Alexandra Estate, Rosé Mourvedre & Grenache 2015

Rosé Mourvedre & Grenache in the Glass © Spaswinefood

Alexandra Estate, Rosé Mourvedre & Grenache 2015 © Spaswinefood

It was indeed the perfect setting for a glass of Alexandra Estate, Rosé Mourvedre & Grenache 2015.

Lunch, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

Over lunch I had the opportunity to sample the following wines:

Alexandra Pure White (blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, & Traminer) 2016

Alexandra Estate Chardonnay Chardonnay 2014

Alexandra Spatsommerabend Traminer 2015

Alexandra Purple Red Merlot 2015

Alexandra Syrah & Rubin 2015

Alexandra Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot 2015

Alexandra Mourvedre, Syrah & Viognier 2015

Alexandra Estate Wines © Spaswinefood

Amongst my favorite Alexandra Estate wines were the Rosé Mourvedre & Grenache 2015, the Pure White 2016, the Syrah & Rubin 2015, and the Mourvedre, Syrah & Viognier 2015.  These are amazing wines for a young winery and I look forward to following its wines in the future.

Briefly, I would like to note that there about 120 grape varieties grown in Bulgaria. That includes indigenous grape varieties, international and hybrids. In the case of Alexandra Estate the wines I tasted were from international grape varieties, except for Rubin, in a Syrah and Rubin blend. Rubin is one of the best-known hybrids grown in Bulgaria. Rubin is a hybrid grape developed by Wine and Viticulture Institute, Plever in 1940's by crossing Nebbiolo and Syrah. The grape was certified in 1961. The wine produced from this grape tends to take on the characteristics of both Nebbiolo and Syrah. The result is the wine tends to be spicy, with flavors of cherries, strawberries, black currents, violets and pepper.

While tasting Alexandra Estate wines there were many foodie delights to try. Let's take a closer peek at the delicious offerings that were near my seat.

The Vineyard Table, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

There were tempting tomatoes, appetizers and cheeses.

Tempting Tomatoes, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

Appetizers, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

Cheeses, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

There were various dried meat delicacies and grilled meats.

Dried Meat Delicacies and Grilled Meats, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

This is a fruit growing region, which meant there were local, delicious strawberries and cherries for desert.

Heavenly Strawberries, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

Delightful Cherries, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

Vineyard Memories and More

We were welcomed at Alexandra Estate's vineyard by Svetlana Slavova.

The Perfect Vineyard Welcome, Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

When I left the vineyard, I left with special wine filled memories of a very special place in the Thracian Lowlands. Perhaps, it is no surprise that Bulgaria's Thracian Lowlands is listed by Wine Enthusiasts as one of the best wine destinations for 2017. 

Memories of Alexandra Estate © Spaswinefood

It was a delight to get to know Alexandra Estate wines, and I look forward to hearing many good things about these wines. This Spaswinefood enthusiast so loves discovering those New Wines of Ancient Thrace. Do not forget to check out my travels in Bulgaria and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

Sofia, Bulgaria

June 2017

© Spaswinefood

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Note: Special thanks to the Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) and our Bulgarian host who organized this activity.