Behind the vine

Gergana Manolova - Augeo Family Estate - Vranya Village, Struma Valley, Bulgaria

When do you think you fell in love with wine, enough to make a career of it?

I spent many summers in the village where my grandparents took care of the vineyards. I think my passion for nature and the fruits it bears comes from my childhood, while the love of quality wine came later on, in adulthood.

What story does your wine tell?

Augeo Family Estate is a wine project, founded in 2016 by ‎a father-daughter duo, continuing the tradition of our ancestors as the family is connected with wine for over five generations. From Latin the brand name “augeo” means to ‎grow, to develop and to honor, and relates to the history of the family of the founders marking a beginning and outlines a horizon and perspective for development, while simultaneously showing respect and honor to our ancestors and our land.

What misconceptions about wine do you think people should forget?

In Bulgaria, there is a common misconception about wine consumption, which I believe is really wrong. Often people think red wine is for the winter season, while white and rosé are only suitable for the summer period. I believe that wine could be enjoyed all year long and should be paired well with food.

What great things about wine do you think people should remember?

Wine is not just a drink, it is an emotion. It collects tradition and best practices and allows people to taste the specifics of each wine-making region around the world. Paired with the best food combination and with great company, some wines could be unforgettable. 

What is a piece of advice you would give to a woman interested in breaking into the wine world?

It takes a lot of time and hard work to be successful – it is true in many other industries as well, but it is especially true in wine. If you want to succeed, it is important to be ready for this long journey and everything unexpected that comes with it. 

Where can women find your wine?

Our wines are available in specialized shops, restaurants and wine bars mostly in Bulgaria, but we have clients in Austria, the Netherlands, the UK and Brazil and we ship internationally through our website.

Who is a women in wine you think everyone should know about?

Militza Zikatanova is a colleague from the same wine region where we make the Augeo wines – Struma Valley. She is a young and passionate colleague from a family of winemakers, whose work I admire.