Today, wonderful news arrived from the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, the world’s most prestigious and influential competition, announced Gorun Winery. Gorun Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve 2020 was awarded a gold medal and an impressive 95 points from Decanter, while Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 received a bronze medal and 87 points. Two medals from three wines submitted for evaluation—a remarkable recognition for a winery that entered the global wine map just a year ago!
Decanter is the Olympics of the wine world. It features a jury of 250 of the most prominent global wine experts, including 53 Masters of Wine and 19 Master Sommeliers from 31 countries. With 18,500 wines from 59 nations competing, the event evaluates wineries with centuries-old histories.
Gorun Winery is a boutique family-owned winery located in the town of Iskar, just 30 km from Pleven. Established with the mission to restore, preserve, and enhance the region’s centuries-old traditions in viticulture and winemaking, it also aims to offer Bulgarian wines of the highest class. The focus is on grape varieties native to the terroir, such as Gamza, Kaylashki Rubin, and Kaylashki Misket, as well as global wine royalty like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Muscat Ottonel, and Pinot Noir, showcasing their expression on the fertile Moesian soil. The vineyards, planted in 2016, are situated on the windy hills above the Iskar River, while the winery, founded in 2019, is nestled in its valley, in the town of the same name. The town originated as Gorun, named after the centuries-old oak trees in the area, which also inspired the winery’s name.
The unique microclimate of the region provides the foundation for high-quality wines, offered under the Gorun Winery brand in two series: Gorun Reserves, aged in French oak barrels, and Gorun Single Varietals, oak-free wines that showcase the true expression of the local terroir. The head winemaker is Svetoslav Krastev, a talented oenologist with extensive international experience, who skillfully blends classical and innovative winemaking styles from both the New and Old Worlds.