Korten Winery is a boutique Bulgarian producer based in the Thracian/Struma Valley regions of south-western Bulgaria, areas with a strong Mediterranean influence ideal for ripening local varieties such as Melnik, Rubin and Mavrud.

Bulgaria’s wine history stretches back millennia, and regions like Struma Valley continue to champion native grapes such as Melnik 55, reflecting the country’s unique viticultural heritage.

In addition to Melnik Rosé, Korten produces other boutique wines from local and international varieties, showcasing the diversity of Bulgarian terroirs.

The Struma Valley wine region, located in south-western Bulgaria along the course of the Struma River, enjoys a distinctly Mediterranean-influenced climate thanks to its proximity to Greece and the Aegean Sea. Summers are long, hot and dry, while winters are relatively mild, giving ideal conditions for ripening red grape varieties. The valley’s diverse topography includes lowland vineyards and hillside plantings, with soils that range from alluvial river deposits to sandy loams and limestone-rich slopes, all of which contribute complexity and structure to the wines.

One of the most important grape varieties here is Shiroka Melnishka (Broad-Leaved Melnik), an indigenous red grape that thrives in the warm climate and produces deeply coloured, spicy wines. It is often blended with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, which have been widely planted in the region since the late 20th century. Some producers also make fresh whites from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, but the region’s reputation is firmly built on its red wines.

Struma Valley reds tend to be full-bodied and richly fruited, with flavours of dark cherry, blackberry and plum, along with distinctive notes of black pepper, dried herbs and often a touch of tobacco. The best examples balance ripeness with freshness and express the sun-baked, rocky terroir of this distinctive Bulgarian region.

Melnik 55, also known as Early Melnik or Ranna Melnik, is a Bulgarian red grape variety created in 1963 at the Sandanski research station. It is a crossing between the local Shiroka Melnishka Loza (Broad-Leaved Melnik) and the French variety Valdiguié. The aim was to retain the characteristic spicy character of traditional Melnik while producing a vine that ripens earlier and is better suited to the warmer conditions of the Struma Valley.

In the vineyard, Melnik 55 is relatively vigorous and tolerant of heat and drought, making it well adapted to the Mediterranean-influenced climate of south-western Bulgaria. It ripens several weeks earlier than Shiroka Melnishka, helping it avoid autumn rains, and its smaller berries and thicker skins give good colour and structure. The variety performs best on poor, rocky soils that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavours.

Today, Melnik 55 is planted almost exclusively in the Struma Valley, particularly around the towns of Melnik and Sandanski. It is generally vinified as a varietal wine, although some producers blend it with Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. Typical wines are medium- to full-bodied with aromas of black cherry, blackberry and plum, supported by notes of pepper, dried herbs and occasionally a touch of leather or tobacco. With moderate tannins and refreshing acidity, Melnik 55 often benefits from a short period of oak maturation and offers a distinctive expression of southern Bulgarian terroir