Edoardo Miroglio, an Italian textile mogul with vineyards in Barolo first came to this area of Bulgaria to sell fabrics and he spotted the immense potential for wine production. After an extensive two-year search for the prime piece of land, they settled on a piece of land on the eastern side of the Thracian Valley, with the Saint Ilia hills shading the area from the freezing Baltic winds whilst a natural lake nearby regulates the temperature. Alberto Le Rosa, who was overseeing the vineyards at one of Barolo's most famous Barolo producers at the time tasted the maiden 2004 vintage and was amazed. This epiphany caused him to up sticks from his Barolo home to oversee the vineyards and he's been there ever since. The vines are now 21 years old, and the quality of fruit just gets better and better. Everything at Miroglio is done to the best of their abilities with state-of-the-art equipment.

This attention to detail also extends to the people involved with Miroglio bringing in the incredibly talented Alberto Le Rosa (ex Luciano Sandrone Barolo viticulturist) and Bulgaria's top lady winemaker, Desislava Baicheva, who both only joined the team as they could see the excellent potential of the wines having tasted the earliest vintages. As the vines age and the team gain more insight into the nuances of the Thracian Valley terroir, these wines go from strength to strength.

The Thracian Valley wine region, located in southern Bulgaria, is one of the country’s most historic and prolific viticultural areas. Sheltered by the Balkan Mountains to the north and influenced by the warm Aegean winds from the south, the region enjoys a continental climate with long, hot summers and mild autumns—ideal for slow, even ripening of grapes. Rainfall is moderate, with most precipitation occurring in spring, helping to support healthy vine growth.

Soils in the Thracian Valley are diverse, ranging from fertile alluvial deposits near rivers to well-drained sandy loams and limestone-rich terrains that add structure and minerality to wines. This variety enables a broad range of grape cultivation, from local to international varieties.

Indigenous grapes such as Mavrud, Rubin, and Pamid thrive here, producing deeply coloured reds with rich tannins and dark fruit flavours. International varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are also widely planted, yielding bold, expressive wines. Whites, including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, display fresh acidity and aromatic intensity.

Wine styles range from powerful, oak-aged reds with notes of blackberry, plum, and spice to crisp, floral whites and rosés. The Thracian Valley’s combination of climate, soils, and heritage gives its wines both a distinctive identity and broad international appeal.

Merlot is one of the world’s most widely planted and popular red grape varieties, prized for its soft texture, approachability, and rich fruit character. Originating in Bordeaux, France—particularly prominent in the Right Bank regions of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol—Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties to add suppleness and ripe fruit.

Viticulturally, Merlot is an early-ripening grape, making it well-suited to cooler climates. It thrives in clay-rich soils, which enhance its plush texture and depth. However, it can be sensitive to frost and overly vigorous if not carefully managed, sometimes leading to high yields and diluted flavours.

Today, Merlot is grown extensively around the world, including in France, Italy, the United States (especially California and Washington State), Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. In each region, it adapts to different styles—from soft and fruity to structured and age-worthy.

Merlot wines are typically medium to full-bodied, with smooth tannins and flavours of plum, black cherry, blackberry, chocolate, and sometimes herbal or earthy notes. In warmer climates, the wines tend to be richer and fruitier, while cooler regions produce more restrained, elegant expressions. Merlot’s versatility and charm make it a staple of both varietal wines and blends worldwide.