WE GIVE VOICE TO THE TERROIR

Bessa Valley is where our story begins.

We do not pursue quick results, but lasting quality over time.

GREAT WINES MADE WITH CARE

One terroir. Two expressions.

Discover the art of winemaking at Bessa Valley! Wines that tell a story!
French know-how, deep local roots in the winemaking

Our mission

At Bessa Valley, we create wines with a clear sense of place, shaped by the meeting of French winemaking tradition and Bulgarian terroir.

Our philosophy is grounded in patience, consistency, and restraint. We do not pursue quick results, but rather lasting quality over time.

Every decision, from vineyard to cellar, is guided by the principle of intervening only when necessary and allowing nature to speak through the wine.

We are inspired by the history of the ancient Bessi tribe, who lived on these lands more than 3,500 years ago, and we seek, in our own way, to follow in their footsteps by cultivating and honouring this place.

SAVOUR EVERY MOMENT OF LIFE

Wines that carry the spirit of the valley

Your favorites, from our cellar

Grande Cuvée 2020

    Grande Cuvée 2020: The Definitive Expression of Bessa Valley Grande Cuvée 2020 represents the most complete and contemplative expression of Bessa Valley’s philosophy. Sourced from low-yielding parcels and shaped by patient élevage in new French oak, this wine brings together depth, structure and harmony in a composed, confident style. Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience The wine shows a deep, dark garnet colour. The bouquet is rich and layered, unfolding with clarity and depth:
  • Primary aromas: Blue plum, blackberry and blueberry.
  • Secondary notes: Roasted nuts and cacao.
On the palate, Grande Cuvée 2020 is dense and velvety, with a remarkable sense of harmony. Mature, finely shaped tannins — formed through ageing in new oak — provide structure without austerity. The wine carries an exceptional sense of balance, allowing its layers to open gradually. The finish is fine, prolonged and elegant, completing a composed and memorable tasting experience. Terroir & Blend The low average yields contribute to natural concentration and depth. The blend brings together complementary varieties, each contributing its own dimension to the final wine. Average yield:
  • 40 hl/ha
Grape Varieties:
  • 28% Merlot
  • 27% Syrah
  • 28% Petit Verdot
  • 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaking The grapes are harvested by hand with strict quality control in the vineyard. After destemming and careful berry selection, whole berries are transferred by gravity into concrete tanks without crushing. Cold maceration precedes fermentation, followed by controlled alcoholic fermentation and extended warm maceration to build depth and texture. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, exclusively new oak, shaping structure and longevity. The final blend is filtered and bottled. Food Pairing & Serving Suggestions Grande Cuvée 2020 finds its natural place alongside dishes of depth and richness:
  • Red meats: Grilled or roasted beef, lamb dishes
  • Gastronomy: Truffle-based cuisine, rich stews
  • Cheeses: Aged hard cheeses
Serving temperature: 16–18°C Cellaring potential: Excellent ageing potential, with the ability to develop additional layers of complexity over the next 10–15 years. Average annual production: 8,500 bottles (0.75 L)
Rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN

Petite Syrah 2020

Domaine Bessa Valley Petite Syrah 2020: A Focused Expression of Syrah from Bessa Valley Petite Syrah 2020 is a pure and concentrated expression of Syrah from the vineyards of Bessa Valley. This wine reflects the natural intensity of the variety, shaped by careful viticulture and a restrained approach in the cellar. It is a Syrah that speaks through depth and texture rather than volume. Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience Petite Syrah 2020 presents an opaque, deep crimson colour. The aromatic profile is rich and layered, with a distinctive focus:
  • Primary aromas: Blueberry, blackberry and ripe dark fruit.
  • Secondary notes: Violet, black pepper, subtle smoky tones, dark chocolate and a gentle savoury nuance reminiscent of cured meat.
On the palate, the wine is dense and concentrated, yet carried by fine, silky tannins. The texture brings a sense of calm elegance and balance. The finish is long, slightly spicy and marked by discreet vanilla notes that linger without excess. Terroir & Winemaking The Syrah for Petite Syrah 2020 comes from selected parcels in Bessa Valley, where the warm days and cooler nights allow the variety to retain freshness alongside depth of flavour. Grape Variety:
  • 100% Syrah
Winemaking: The grapes are harvested by hand with strict selection in the vineyard. Gentle destemming and further sorting take place at the winery, followed by gravity filling of concrete tanks with whole berries. Cold maceration precedes fermentation, allowing for a careful extraction of aroma and colour. Fermentation and maceration are conducted with close attention to temperature and time, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% one-year-old, to add structure and quiet complexity without overshadowing the varietal character. After blending, the wine is lightly filtered and bottled. Food Pairing & Serving Suggestions Petite Syrah 2020 pairs naturally with dishes that echo its depth and savoury nuances:
  • Meats: Grilled beef, slow-cooked lamb, duck breast
  • Spiced dishes: Mildly spiced stews, roasted vegetables with herbs
  • Cheeses: Semi-hard and aged cheeses
Serving temperature: 16–18°C Cellaring potential: Approachable in its youth, with the structure to develop further over the next 4–6 years. Average annual production: 7,000 bottles (0.75 L)
  • 100% Syrah

Winemaking

  • Manual harvesting with strict quality control in the vineyard
  • Gentle destemming and grape selection on vibrating tables
  • Gravity filling of concrete tanks with whole berries
  • Cold maceration for 5–7 days at 10–12 °C
  • Alcoholic fermentation for 5–12 days at 24–26 °C
  • Hot maceration for 10–15 days at 28–30 °C
  • Malolactic fermentation
  • Aging in French oak barrels — 50% new and 50% one-year-old, for a period of 12 months
  • Blending
  • Filtration and bottling

Average Annual Production

7,000 bottles (0.75 L)  
Rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN

Petit Verdot 2019

Petit Verdot 2019: A Deep and Focused Expression of the Variety Petit Verdot 2019 is a concentrated and distinctive expression of this demanding variety from Bessa Valley. Drawn from carefully selected parcels and matured with patience, the wine reflects depth, structure and aromatic complexity, held together by balance and poise rather than sheer power. Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience The wine shows an inky, deep purple colour with remarkable intensity. The bouquet is layered and expressive:
  • Primary aromas: Plum and forest fruits.
  • Secondary notes: Fresh mint, cinnamon and delicate floral tones of lilac.
On the palate, Petit Verdot 2019 reveals a powerful structure and high density, yet remains rounded and composed thanks to its noble, soft tannins. The finish is long and concentrated, confirming the distinctive character and inner depth of the variety. Terroir & Winemaking Petit Verdot is cultivated in selected parcels where the variety can reach full phenolic maturity. The limited production reflects a focused approach, privileging quality and character over volume. Grape Variety:
  • 100% Petit Verdot
Winemaking: The grapes are harvested by hand with strict quality control in the vineyard. After gentle destemming and careful berry selection, whole berries are transferred by gravity into concrete tanks without crushing. Cold maceration precedes fermentation, followed by controlled alcoholic fermentation and extended warm maceration to achieve depth of extraction. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, exclusively new oak, building structure and complexity. The final blend is filtered and bottled. Food Pairing & Serving Suggestions Petit Verdot 2019 pairs naturally with richly flavoured and structured dishes:
  • Red meats: Grilled beef, slow-roasted lamb
  • Game: Venison, wild game dishes
  • Cheeses: Aged, firm cheeses
Serving temperature: 16–18°C Cellaring potential: Suitable for extended ageing, with the structure to evolve over the next 10–15 years. Average annual production: 2,400 bottles (0.75 L)
Rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN

MORE THAN WINE

developed on mystical ancient land

Set on an ancient land with long traditions in winemaking.

Located on ancient land and guided by Bordeaux winemaking know-how, we work with the complex interaction between great soils and a continental climate. Clay-limestone soils give the wines power and structure, while also preserving acidity and minerality.

Merlot is the dominant variety, representing over 50% of the vineyards, in line with the character of the terroir.

Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon are planted on the upper parts of the hills, where conditions suit them best.

We also grow Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier varieties for our excellent white wines.

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Bordeaux tradition

A precious heritage of over 800 years of winemaking know-how.

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Tasting

A wine meant to be tasted and talked about.

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Terroir

The soil is the source of all great wine. A complex interaction between soils of clay and limestone and climate.

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Lifestyle

Wine - a symbol, a tradition and absolute aesthetically pleasing craftsmanship, a mix of philosophy and pleasure.

Others about us

Our winemaking blog