Libera Estate, Bulgaria
Libera Estate is a Bulgarian winery launched in 2013. Their estate aims to show the "true face of Bulgarian wine" by combining the local winemaking traditions with a contemporary vision, focusing mainly on indigenous varieties and some international styles. The estate's vines cover 350 acres across the villages of Hotovo, Lozenitsa and Zornitsa in the Stuma Valley, a region steeped in history. The Struma River moderates the continental climate, with many of the vineyards in the foothills of the mountains that act as a rain cloud and provide good aspect. The winery is owned and operated by a small team, headed by consultant Zhivko Enchev and viticulturist Stoyan Shmikerov.