One terroir. Two expressions.
Our mission
We, the wine-makers from Bessa Valley, are inspired by this place as much as the Bessians were, 3500 years ago.
In many ways, we walk in the footsteps of the Bessians. We grow the vines of the Valley and make wine from their fruit, year after year.
Everything is done with respect — for nature, for the people, for the vines and what they give us.
We don’t rush the process.
We work in balance, and we try to keep it that way.
Wines that carry the spirit of the valley
Your favorites, from our cellar
Petit Verdot 2020
Petit Verdot 2020: A Deep and Refined Expression of the Variety
Petit Verdot 2020 is a concentrated and distinctive expression of this demanding variety from Bessa Valley. Drawn from carefully selected parcels and matured for 18 months in new oak barrels, the wine brings together depth, structure and aromatic complexity, balanced by a remarkable sense of smoothness and harmony.
Limited production: only 2,400 bottles.
Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience
The wine shows a remarkably deep, dark ruby colour with impressive intensity. The bouquet is opulent and expressive, unfolding in distinct layers:
- Primary aromas: Black cherry and ripe plum.
- Secondary notes: Fresh mint, delicate floral tones of lilac and toasted oak.
On the palate, Petit Verdot 2020 is full-bodied, with pronounced yet well-integrated tannins. Its powerful structure is balanced by an appealing smoothness, allowing the fruit and oak nuances to unfold with clarity. The finish is exceptionally long and inviting, leaving a lasting impression of depth and elegance.
Terroir & Grape Variety
Petit Verdot is cultivated in carefully selected parcels of Bessa Valley, where controlled yields contribute to concentration, structure and varietal expression. The wine reflects a focused approach to viticulture, favouring quality and character over volume.
Average yield: 40 hl/ha
Grape Variety:
- 100% Petit Verdot
Winemaking & Ageing
The grapes are harvested by hand with strict quality control in the vineyard. After destemming and careful berry selection on vibrating tables, whole berries are transferred by gravity into concrete tanks without crushing.
Cold maceration takes place for 5–7 days at 10–12°C, followed by alcoholic fermentation for 5–12 days at 24–26°C. Extended warm maceration continues for 14–21 days at 28–30°C, developing colour, structure and aromatic depth.
After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in 100% new oak barrels from the Surtep Petra range, toasted using lava stones. This distinctive ageing approach contributes complexity and refined oak nuances while supporting the wine's powerful structure.
The final wine is blended, filtered and bottled.
Food Pairing & Serving
Petit Verdot 2020 pairs naturally with richly flavoured dishes that complement its full body, pronounced tannins and aromatic depth:
- Red meats: Grilled beef, slow-roasted lamb
- Game: Venison and richly flavoured wild game dishes
- Cheeses: Aged, firm cheeses
Serving temperature: 16–18°C
Cellaring & Production
Cellaring potential: Excellent ageing potential, with the structure and concentration to evolve gracefully over the next 10–15 years, developing additional layers of aromatic complexity, depth and refinement.
Average annual production: 2,400 bottles (0.75 L)
Enira Reserva 2020
Enira Reserva 2020: A Refined Expression of Bessa Valley’s Terroir
Enira Reserva 2020 is one of the defining wines of Bessa Valley. Created in partnership with Count Stephan von Neipperg, owner of distinguished estates in Bordeaux, this wine reflects a shared understanding of balance, place, and time. It brings together French experience and the distinctive character of the Thracian Lowlands in a quiet, confident expression of style.
Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience
Enira Reserva 2020 shows a deep and intensely dark garnet colour. The nose is rich, mature and layered, offering:
- Primary aromas: Dried black plum, fig, cherry and blueberry.
- Secondary notes: Fresh mint, vanilla and delicate hints of honey.
On the palate, Enira Reserva 2020 is full-bodied yet finely structured, with soft tannins and excellent balance. Ripe fruit and subtle oak nuances come together harmoniously, supported by freshness and a refined texture. The finish is pleasant and elegant, with a sense of continuity rather than excess.
Terroir & Expert Craftsmanship
The vineyards of Bessa Valley lie on clay-limestone soils between the Rhodope Mountains and the Maritsa River. This landscape allows for natural drainage, steady ripening and a quiet mineral depth that carries through into the wine.
The 2020 Blend:
- Merlot: 28%
- Syrah: 22%
- Petit Verdot: 32%
- Cabernet Sauvignon: 18%
Winemaking & Ageing
Following classical French winemaking techniques, whole grape berries are transferred into fermentation vessels without crushing. Cold maceration is followed by alcoholic fermentation, post-fermentation maceration and malolactic fermentation.
Enira Reserva 2020 is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, combining 47% new oak and 53% once-used barrels. This careful balance allows the wine to gain complexity and structure without losing its natural fruit character.
Food Pairing & Serving
Enira Reserva 2020 is a natural partner at the table, especially with dishes that allow its structure and depth to unfold.
- Red meats: Roasted lamb with herbs, grilled beef fillet
- Game: Wild boar ragù, venison
- Cheeses: Aged Gouda, Manchego, and selected semi-hard local cheeses
Serving temperature: 16–18°C
Cellaring Potential
Cellaring potential: Enjoyable now, with the balance and structure to evolve gracefully over the coming years.
Roussanne 2022
Domaine Bessa Valley Roussanne 2022: A Textured and Luminous White
Roussanne 2022 is a distinctive and expressive interpretation of the variety, combining aromatic richness with freshness, texture and remarkable length. Fermentation and extended lees ageing in French oak bring depth and structure while preserving the wine’s vibrant varietal character.
Average annual production: under 4,000 bottles
Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience
The wine displays a bright, shining medium-yellow colour. The bouquet is intense and distinctly varietal, revealing layers of ripe fruit, floral nuances and subtle oak:
- Fruit aromas: Apricot, pear and peach.
- Floral & complex notes: Honey, chamomile and delicate hints of oak.
On the palate, Roussanne 2022 is both soft and crisp, with a medium to full body and a rich, oily texture. The oak is beautifully integrated, adding depth without overwhelming the fruit. The finish is distinctive and exceptionally long, leaving a lingering impression of balance, richness and complexity.
Terroir & Grape Variety
Detailed grape analysis and careful monitoring determine the optimal moment for harvest, allowing the fruit to retain its varietal expression, freshness and natural balance.
Harvest date: 6 September 2022
Grape Variety:
- 100% Roussanne
Winemaking & Ageing
The grapes are hand-picked, with strict quality control beginning in the vineyard. After reception at the winery, they are destemmed and whole berries are carefully selected on vibrating sorting tables.
The grapes are then directly pressed in a pneumatic press, allowing precise control over juice parameters including colour, total acidity and phenolic content.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place over approximately 20 days at 14–16°C in 500-litre French oak barrels: 50% new oak and 50% one-year-old oak.
The wine undergoes bâtonnage on heavy lees for six months under CO2, followed by a further three months of bâtonnage on fine lees under CO2. This extended lees contact contributes to the wine’s rich texture, complexity and depth.
After blending, the wine is stabilised, filtered and bottled.
Food Pairing & Serving
The rich texture, ripe fruit character and subtle oak of Roussanne 2022 make it an excellent partner for flavourful dishes:
- Seafood: Scallops, lobster and creamy seafood dishes
- White meats: Roasted chicken, herb-seasoned poultry and veal
- Vegetarian dishes: Roasted vegetables and dishes with aromatic herbs and mild spices
- Cheeses: Soft and lightly aged cheeses
Serving temperature: 10–12°C
Production
Average annual production: approximately 4,000 bottles (0.75 L)
The carefully controlled fermentation and nine months of bâtonnage on the lees give Roussanne 2022 its characteristic richness, layered texture and exceptionally long finish.
MORE THAN WINE
Rooted in a land with deep winemaking heritage
Set in a region shaped by centuries of viticultural tradition, Bessa Valley works at the intersection of Bordeaux winemaking know-how and the distinctive character of its terroir.
The complex interplay between diverse soils and a continental climate defines the style of the wines. Clay-limestone soils provide structure and depth, while preserving freshness and mineral tension.
Merlot is the leading variety, representing over 50% of the vineyards, in line with the natural expression of the terroir. Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are planted on the upper slopes, where conditions best suit their character and ripening profile.
Alongside the red varieties, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier are cultivated to shape a refined and expressive white wine portfolio.
Bordeaux tradition
A precious heritage of over 800 years of winemaking know-how.
Tasting
A wine meant to be tasted and talked about.
Terroir
The soil is the source of all great wine. A complex interaction between soils of clay and limestone and climate.
Lifestyle
Wine - a symbol, a tradition and absolute aesthetically pleasing craftsmanship, a mix of philosophy and pleasure.
