The Winery
Struma Valley Wine Region
About the Region
Struma Valley River
This region includes the southwestern parts of the country. It is not large in size, but it has specific climatic features, bringing it closer to the Mediterranean regions. It consists of the southwestern parts of the country and covers the Mesta and Struma river valleys.
The main centers are Petrich, Sandanski, Melnik and Blagoevgrad. The most typical grape varieties in the region are the local variety Melnik (Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc is also present in the region. Near the border with Greece, in the village of General Todorov, you can find the vineyards of Logodaj Winery, which extend over more than 700 decares.
Logodaj Village
In 1994, in the village of Logodaj, located 15 km from Blagoevgrad, LOGODAJ WINERY was born. To this day, our cellar is located in the village, where we produce over 3 million liters of wine every year. Many rich wines have been created here, winning world prizes and competitions.
With a focus on local varieties, Broad-leaved Melnik Vine and Melnik 55, we strive to show the world the beauty of the Bulgarian wine region Struma River Valley and we succeed with each passing year.
General Todorov Village
In the middle of the Petrich-Sandanski valley, between Melnik and the ancient city of Heraclea Sintika, lies the village of General Todorov, where our vineyards are located. Here, on an area of 700 decares, we grow the unique Bulgarian varieties Broad-leaved Melnik Vine and Early Melnik Vine (Melnik 55), as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, etc.
In the immediate vicinity of the vineyards is the medieval rock chapel "Saint Panteleimon", which is believed to have been associated with the earliest period of the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski. West of the vineyards, on the opposite bank of the Struma River, is the Kozhuh hill, a remnant of a long-extinguished volcano. At its foot is the famous area of Rupite, where the church "Saint Petka Bulgarska" was built by the prophetess Vanga.
Process
The grape harvest begins at the end of August when optimal technological maturity is reached.
The grape harvest begins at the end of August when optimal technological maturity is reached.
The grapes are hand-harvested in cassettes during the coolest part of the day and quickly transported to protect them from oxidation.
When received in the cellar, it is loaded into a press for a delicate separation of the grape must.
Local Varieties
Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine
Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine is an old local variety grown in the area of the town of Melnik, from where the name comes. It is an endemic - botanical species, distributed only on the territory of South-West Bulgaria and in particular on the territory of the village of General Todorov.
To develop properly, the variety requires a high temperature sum during the growing season of spring, a hot summer, a long, warm, dry autumn and a relatively mild and warm winter.
Early Melnik Vine
Early Melnik Vine or Melnik 55 is a hybrid wine grape variety, a cross of Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine with mixed pollen from the Durif and Valdigier varieties. Due to the late-ripening, scientists wanted to create a variety that would retain the qualities of Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine, but ripen earlier.
It is spread only in the region of Sandanski and Melnik and includes the village of General Todorov. The Early Melnik variety ripens at the end of September and manages to accumulate more sugars.