At a glance
Producer: Tipchenitza Winery
Region: Danube Plains, Bulgaria
Vintage: 2024
ABV: 14.5% ABV
Vol: 750ml
Drinking Window: Drink now (2026), though it has approximately three more years of potential.
Serving Temperature: 14-17°C
Why stock this wine?
Rubin offers genuine differentiation from the supermarket shelf while remaining approachable.
Created by crossing Syrah and Nebbiolo, it combines a familiar story with a distinctive identity.
Its ripe fruit and savoury structure make it an excellent partner for grilled meats, helping customers discover something new with confidence.
Silver Award winner at Decanter’s 2026 World Wine Awards. Scoring 92/100.
What’s it like?
Imagine the dark fruit of Syrah with a touch of Nebbiolo’s structure, but in a softer, more approachable style.
Tasting note
Deep ruby colour with aromas of tobacco and chocolate. On the palate, you’ll get ripe red fruits.
Food pairing
Ideal for a barbecue, this Rubin will stand up to grilled meat and vegetables.
The story
Bulgaria’s wine history oscillates between quality and quantity. Winston Churchill’s 10 Downing Street ordered 500 litres of Bulgarian red wine annually, though if your reference point is 1990’s Bulgarian wine, you might be wondering why.
Tipchenitza Winery is part of a new wave of Bulgarian winemakers is determined to set the record straight. Their focus on native varietals, craft production, and sustainability represents the confidence to embrace both past and future.
This Bulgarian red wine celebrates the local Rubin variety.
The vineyard
- 510m above sea level
- Clay and limestone soil
- Double Guyot training method
- Manual pruning
Vinification
The Rubin grapes were harvested manually, gently crushed and de-stemmed before 24 hours of maceration. Fermentation took place in cool stainless steel tanks using selected yeast. The wine was aged for nine months in stainless steel.
Sustainability
Tipchenitza Winery was an early adopter of the lightweight bottle, reducing the environmental impact of transporting wines. They are also members of the Sustainable Wine Round Table.
