Many people readily associate the name Miroglio with one of the world’s largest textile producers. But in Bulgaria, it is also synonymous to one of the finest wine makers, Eduardo Miroglio winery, operating since 2004. The name might evoke notions of Mediterranean romance and the stone-built chateau could house the winery’s French-inspired wine-making technology, but the building and equipment spell high tech. Even the space that houses the French oak barrels derives a modern feel from the concrete pillars and curved walls. The winery produces half a million bottles annually, and could reach 1 million within a couple of years. The grapes grown in the 21-hectare vineyard include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Traminer. Here, the winery’s executive director, Georgi Balabanov, offers an insider’s view to Vintellectual’s readers.
Mr. Balabanov, what would you say is unique to the Eduardo Miroglio winery?
The first thing that comes to mind is our location, which is on a hill outside the village of Elenovo, near Nova Zagora. Our choice of location is not accidental. It was based on soil tests and climate data, which indicated that this location is a perfect place for wine making, whose soil characteristics are very close to those in Burgundy. I think wine connoisseurs will be able to trace this similarity to the taste if our wines.
Having found this perfect spot, we began construction from scratch. Since two thirds of the winery is underground, we had to find a way to deal with the hard rock. Not an easy task, trust me. The shape of our building is just as unique as its place. Inspired by the shape and harmony of a spiral, the building is noticeable from afar, but it is not in conflict with its surroundings. On the contrary, we were aiming for something that would fit in its environment.
Finally, we also pick all of our grapes by hand. We believe that is essential to quality. Yes, there are difficulties with sufficient labour force and yes, it is more costly that way, but it is a price that we are willing to pay so that we can have an excellent wine.
Last time I visited Miroglio, you were building a hotel as well...
Yes, though hotel is probably the wrong word. It will have 12 or 13 rooms, so call it a guest house. It’ll be a place of luxury and comfort, offering accommodation by reservation only. It borrows its architecture from the original idea, and is a continuation of our virtual spiral.
What is your favourite wine sold under the Miroglio label?
I love all of them. But I must say I really like our Pinot Noir, which I believe raises the standards for winemakers in Bulgaria. I don’t mean to sound immodest, but it has been met with great enthusiasm and praised highly at international fairs and exhibitions, contrary to what the experience, to my regret, has been at home. But I believe that sooner or later it will receive the acclaim it deserves at home as well.
What should people know about Miroglio wines?
I want people to be certain that when they open a bottle of Miroglio wine, they can count on consistency in the quality. I also want to assure them that when drinking one of our wines, they are drinking a wine made 100 per cent from grapes, something that is not always true in Bulgaria. Finally, I want them to know that we’re making our wines with much love. Our goal is not simply to sell a product but to earn the consumer’s trust and create a long-term image. We want to be a factor that helps nurture a culture of fine dining and wine drinking.
