Midalidare Estate

A Wine Story

Wine is born at the vineyard. Good production quality is a precondition for making a valuable wine that possesses character and individuality. Vineyards care is therefore of the highest importance for Midalidare. At present 160 hectares of vineyards are carefully managed on the estate. The hilly terrain gives the opportunity of planting a great diversity of wine varieties depending on their individual requirements which represents the main part of the corporative philosophy.

Taking Care of The Vines

An international team of highly qualified agronomists from Italy and Bulgaria takes care of the proper growing of the vineyards and the quality of production. Many of the viticulture tasks are carried by hand with great attention to detail. The yields are reduced regularly as this led to improvement of the characteristics of the grapes. Vineyards are always monitored technically to ensure their proper management.

The Lands

The combination of climate and soil conditions in Mogilovo is remarkable. What makes the region and the terroir unique is the big temperature amplitude. At the same time an advantage and disadvantage for viticulture, the difference between the day and the night temperature can reach 20°С. Although a precondition for the spring frost of the vines, the great amplitudes in Midalidare are considered as nature’s gift. A blessing that provides the optimal content of acidity and which represents a necessary condition for the unique style and exceptional aging potential.

The average altitude of vines in Midalidare is from 320 to 390 meters above sea level. The climate is characterized with mild winter and warm summer. The rate of annual rainfall in the area is about 550 mm, the average winter temperature is above 0ºС. The vines are benefited from more than 2800 hours of sunshine per year and more than 100 clear days per year. The temperature amplitudes are great and often become a perquisite for spring frost. In Midalidare is applied a thermal inversion in combating the early spring frost of the shoots. For this purpose are used helicopters which take down the warm air back to the vines.

The land of Mogilovo village is a natural Eden for viticulture. The ground is highly heterogeneous due to the difference in the soil-forming rocks in the separate zones of the area. The diversity of cinnamon forest soils and alluvial soils (in the bottom layers), limestone, sandy and clay rows and the magnificent red clay of Dabovets vineyard are a further prerequisite for the wine variety in the estate of Midalidare.

Varieties

No compromises with quality are made In Midalidare. Therefore, a detailed study of the climate and soil composition of the land precedes the planting and cultivation of the vines. The varieties presented are the ones suitable for the given conditions and the terroir, and whose development has been carefully monitored over the years, with the clear aim of learning all the intricacies and creating wines of exceptional character. Each variety has a carefully chosen branch and grapevine rootstock and the overall management of the vineyards is directed towards the extraction of the best of the land in Midalidare.

The red varieties in Midalidare are presented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot and Pinot Meunier. The whites are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Traminer, Semillon and Viognier.

All the varieties are available at the “Library of Varieties” as a part of the Wine tour.

Vineyards

Dabovets vineyard is the pride of Midalidare estate. Situated northeasterly over the east winery, the vineyard illuminates the view with its specific red clayey soils. After a long period and application of obligatory requirements and practices, in 2018 the vineyard estate is officially certified for the production of organic grapes.

Dabovets is located in the area of ​​the same name and is 15.4 hectares in size. Soils are limestone and sandy, well-drained due to the natural leading of the water through the steep terrain. The vineyards are planted facing south and southwest exposure of the slope. Because of the heterogeneous soil composition, Dabovets has excellent conditions for growing a diversity of varieties. Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Mourvedre are grown in the southern area of the estate. The grapes for one of the most high-quality red wines of Midalidare are grown on Dabovets, as well as the grapes for the audience's favorite Rose de Mourvedre.

Karaliets vineyard is situated in the east of the Mogilovo village territory, near the second winery of Midalidare. Its size is 60 hectares. The soils are average to low sandy and clayey and alluvial in the southern area. The vines are planted entirely with southerly exposure. From this vineyard comes Merlot used for the premium wine of the estate – Midalidare Reserve.

Shipkata vineyard is situated in the east of Mogilovo, neighboring Karaliets vineyard. Shipkata is the plot with the lowest altitude, situated in a 44 hectares flat area in the very heart of the valley. The soils are average to low sandy and clayey. On Shipkata vineyard are grown Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier.

Prisovete vineyard consists of numerous scattered plantations and bears the name of the area in which it is located. Each individual plot has a different exposure and soil content. The size of the hole terrain is 40 hectares. In the north area of Prisovete are planted Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer, Semillon and Pinot Gris. Chardonnay and Riesling are grown on the northeast. The Chardonnay used to produce the Midalidare sparkling wines is also grown on Prisovete.

The Winery

The base for the sparkling wine is being built within the territory of the bigger eastern winery of Midalidare and during its planning are followed all the recommendations for the traditional method of sparkling winemaking. The part of the winery, where specific processes such as secondary fermentation in a bottle, aging on the lees, remuage, and disgorgement will be carried out, is underground. This is particularly important for the quality of the production as any contact with a natural (sun) light can damage the wine. The aging of the sparkling wine is compulsory accomplished in a dark place, and the remaining processes – with minimum light. Similarly, the aging is accomplished in an absolute piece and minimum vibrations in case of moving the bottles are needed.

A part of the new winery will be accessible for the guests and tourists, where they will be able to learn more about the traditional sparkling winemaking, storage and ageing of the sparkling wine and observe the process disgorgement – the separation of the yeast residue after the secondary fermentation from the neck of the bottle. The underground tour will finish in a specially designed dome screenings room where the visitors will be able to watch a short video and taste the sparkling wines of Midalidare.

Traditional Sparkling Winemaking

Midalidare Sparkling wines are produced solely using traditional sparkling winemaking. During the long wine aging on the lees (yeast cells), typical for the traditional method, complex chemical reactions, known as the process of Autolysis, take place. The Autolysis is a component of vital importance for the forming of the taste and the feeling in the mouth related to all the sparkling wines produced with classical technology as is the Champagne.