Yustina Villa Ustina village Plovdiv
Villa Yustina is situated on the gentle slopes and outskirts of the Rhodope Mountain’s part with the name Yakata in the Rodopite area, at the elevation of about 300 meters, in the village of Ustina, 26 km away from Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The Yustina winery location has been specifically chosen, because Plovdiv region is among the few with a significant and long wine tradition. In this area, you can hear many tales about Thracians and their wines, ancient rites and mysteries. Herodotus described the local Thracians as warlike tribe with an independent spirit, who undertook the difficult task to be guardians of the sanctuary of Dionysus. It is believed that the ancient Thracian capital – Besapara was located near Ustina. The beginning of vine growing and wine making in this area was set by the Thracians, who are also considered to be the best winemakers. People produced wine 5000 years ago in the Balkans, which is a proof that the Thracians were the first to transform grapes into wine. The first vines were brought by them from the Middle East to what is now southern Bulgaria. According to Homer, the most famous wine with the rich aroma and full body was from Thracia.
Villa Yustina was established at the end of 2006 when it started to process grapes from its own vineyards into terroir wines, which follow the system that has been the model for appellation and wine laws around the globe. The boutique winery has a capacity to process 300 tons own grapes. It has an underground cellar for wine aging and can hold up to 600 barrels. According to the French standard Villa Yustina replaces 1/3 of its oak barrels each year. Seven leading suppliers from France and two from Bulgaria are used, so that variety and quality can be guaranteed. Villa Yustina has a modern tasting room for 50 people, and at the final stage of the project there will be Finnish type accommodation for larger audience, provoding pleasant and relaxed stay and home away from home.
Thanks to its close partnership with Tomika-Metal SA, Villa Yustina is one of the most modern wineries in Bulgaria. It is fully equipped with the finest cellar technology of new generation. The winery features “Eureka” ferment type and the only one in Bulgaria uses the tangential filter. The wine cellar has decided to implement the micro vinification which uses modern technological means and equipment. At the Vila Yustina Winery successfully functions for full control of the whole process, which begins from handpicking of grapes, sorting with a vibrating trailer, manual sorting, possibility for cold maceration, fermentation in small volumes with excellent process control and various fermentation techniques, according to the different grape varieties. In order to satisfy even the most particular wine lovers Villa Yustina has already it’s first attempts for making natural sparkling wines. That takes owners even closer to the global models for boutique wineries. As a proof and recognition for wine excellence the technologist of Villa Yustina – Vassil Stoyanov, won the prize “Enologist of 2011” after a secret vote among Bulgarian enologists. This award is the culmination of years of hard work and gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction.
The mission of the “Villa Yustina” is development of quality wines production from the Rhodope Collar region, combined with wine tourism in an area with a rich cultural and historical heritage and magic nature. To ensure the quality of its wines, Villa Yustina pays serious attention to cultivation of its own vineyards. Currently the cellar has 250 acres of its own vineyards with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Traminer, Aligoté, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. From here begins “The Wine Road” that visitors can follow after visiting this unique winery. The tower at the top of the vineyard opens inspiring panoramic views of the vineyard, the Ustina village and of the Rhodope Mountains. After a brief introduction on the tower for terroir characteristics and varietal composition of the array visitors are transferred to the winery, just 4 km from the vineyards. At the winery equipped with modern technological equipment, tourists have their possibility to follow the technological operations in winemaking from the grapes to wine aging in barrels room 150 oak barrels. In the modern tasting room for 60 people and enotheque below, visitors can enjoy quality wines from the wine cellar, served with a selection of gourmet bites or appetizers.
Guided visit of the park-vineyard and Villa Yustina farm and estate combines lecture about the terroir standards, grape varieties and history of the region. “Following the wine road” within the Villa Yustina winery combines lecture about all the wine making processes and visit to the enoteca where the history of Villa Yustina is kept. Meat and dairy dishes, bread and still water accompany the wine tasting at the Yustina Villa. For the most curious visitors there is a challenge – “discussion with the person behind the bar” of any wine theme and opportunity to purchase wines at preferential prices. Choosing a specific wine tasting is up to personal preferences of visitors : tasting of 3 wines in the specially prepared tasting house, including discussion for every single wine and details about wine making methods that were used. For the wine and gourmet connoisseurs, the Yustina Villa is able to offer 3 and 4 course meals, which has to be ordered in advance. This turns a regular meal into unforgettable experience. For the team-building events, the Yustina Villa is always happy to offer collective or individual wine-themed games like “Make your own wine blend”, “Wine Quiz”, “How to taste wines and what to look for” workshop and lot more inspiring ideas. For the nature lovers the Yustina Villa organizes wine picnic with barbecue at its park-vineyard. For visitors who enjoy Slow tourism, the Yustina Villa is more than happy to offer its luxury equipped guest house. Villa Yustina is just 300 meters away from the winery.
The Yustina Villa organizes business events, team building programs, seminars with lunch or dinner and coffee breaks. The perfect finish of the wine route is a night in a guest house of the Villa Yustina complex, which has three double rooms, each with private bathrooms, cable TV, Wi-Fi, a common dining area and fully equipped kitchen.
Wide landscaped garden allows visitors of the Yustina Villa to enjoy a nice glass of wine while preparing their barbecue. As support of culinary masters, there is an outdoor kitchen and large tables where visitors are served food during warm days. Loaded with the “Villa Yustina” wines refrigerated display allows visitors to choose the right wine for their menu. At the Yustina Villa the Bulgarian, English and French is spoken. During their stay, besides enjoyment in excellent wines, visitors can walk along the beautiful scenery of the Rhodopes, make excursion to historical town of Plovdiv and its interesting surroundings, go sport fishing in the dam of the Yustina Villa complex or simply relax in hassle-free and welcoming ambiance. Advanced booking is requiered, due to large popularity and small accommodation capacity of the Yustina Villa.
