The Family
Augeo Family Estate is a wine project, founded in 2016 by Stoyan Manolov and Gergana Manolova, a father-daughter duo, continuing the tradition of their ancestors. The Manolovi family is connected with wine for over five generations. When Stoyan started working in the winemaking industry in 1897, it is doubtful that he could imagine that his successors would continue the tradition in winemaking for generations. The craftsmanship of winemaking was passed down from one generation to the next. Grandfather Georgi comes from a family of farmers, and his name means agrarian, with roots coming from the Greek words of geo (land), and ergo (work). His wife of over 58 years Maria, also has relatives, who produced wine for their family and friends for years. Georgi’s son Stoyan, was named after his grandfather who was the first winemaker in the family. For over 25 years Stoyan is competing with his father. They split the harvested grapes in half each year and each of them makes wine in their own way. After the wine is ready, they meet to taste and compare it. When in 2015 Georgi admitted that his son’s wine was better, Stoyan received the highest possible appraisal – from his father. That is when he decided that he needs to share his exquisite wine with the world. This is when the dream of owning a winery and a wine brand was born. His daughter Gergana, wine enthusiast and marketing specialist, started developing it. That is exactly 120 years after her great-great-grandfather Stoyan first started producing wine. From Latin augeo means to grow, to develop and to honor, and relates to the history of the family of the founders. Georgi was 85 years old when he left us just two weeks after the end of the grapes-picking in 2019, but he will continue to be an inspiration for us to continue to develop and to fulfill our mission to create exquisite Bulgarian wines.
The Vineyards
The own vineyards are in Vranya village, 12 km away from Melnik, in Struma Valley, and are 21 decares, planted with 40 year old vines from the varieties Shiroka Melnishka, Melnik 55, Ruen and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines under the brand Augeo Family Estate are produced in limited batches, with a focus on the local varieties, which are awarded in many competitions on three continents.
Augeo Family Estate
Our Timeline
Dream
The dream for an own wine brand is born. Grapes-picking of the first vintage.
2015
Creation
A good year for grape-growing. Our first wine Augeo Melnik 55 is in the process of making.
2016
First Award
Augeo Melnik 55 2016 is being sold exclusively at The View Restaurant Sofia. The wine won its first international award from IWC England
2017
Successes
Augeo Melnik 2016 wins a double gold medal from CWSA China, and in April Augeo Sauvignon Blanc, Augeo Chardonnay, Augeo Rose and Augeo Exquisite Rose are added to the portfolio.
2018
Pride
Augeo Family Estate Exquisite Rose 2017 won a Gold medal on Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada in June. In August, Augeo Rose 2017 won a gold medal and Augeo Sauvignon Blanc 2017 conquered a silver medal at China Wine and Spirits Awards 2018. Augeo Family Estate Chardonnay Barrel 2016 won Seal of Approval – bronze medal for at AWC International Wine Challenge in Vienna. Now all of Augeo Family Estate’s wines are medalists!
2018
Development
The Augeo brand expands further. In October 2018 we revealed the new Augeo Ruen 2017, Augeo Mavrud Reserve 2016 and Augeo Merlo Reserve 2016, as well as the new vintage of Augeo Melnik 55 2017.
2018
More successes
Both red wines from the 2017 vintage received medals at IWC 2019 in England. Augeo Melnik 55 2017 won a bronze medal with 86 points, and Augeo Ruen 2017 received a Commended Winner medal.
2018
Bio
In the beginning of 2019 four new bio red wines made their debut – Augeo Red Blend Reserve 2015, Augeo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015, Augeo Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and Augeo Syrah & Merlot 2016.
2019
More awards
Two of Augeo Family Estate’s wines won medals at China Wine and Spirits Awards Best Value 2019 in China. With its gold medal Augeo Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is the only Bulgarian bio wine awarded in this edition of the competition, and with bronze Augeo Family Estate Ruen 2017 is the only awarded wine from a unique grape variety for the country.
2019
More Pride
Augeo Family Estate Merlot Reserve 2016 is a gold medalist from the prestigious German competition Mundus Vini! In March 2019 it was included in DiVino Top 50 among the best Bulgarian wines for 2018. This is yet another reason for pride and proof of the high quality of Augeo's wines.
2019
Distinctions
Augeo Family Estate Red Blend Reserve 2015 received a silver medal at the prestigious competition, often called the Mondial of Wine, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2019. A week later Augeo Family Estate Mavrud Reserve 2016 won a silver medal at Decanter 2019.
2019
New Vintage
In May 2019 we presented our first wine from vintage 2018 – Augeo Family Estate Rosé 2018.
2019
Prestige
Two gold medals from the Balkans International Wine Competition for wines in our organic series. Augeo Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015 and Augeo Family Estate Syrah & Merlot 2016 received the high honor in June 2019. As of this moment, all of Augeo’s wines are medalists from competitions in 7 countries on 3 continents.
2019
Vintage 2018
In November was the debut of the red wines of vintage 2018 Augeo Ruen and Augeo Melnik 55.
2019
Gold medal
In September 2020 Augeo Family Estate Melnik 55 won a gold medal at The Balkans International Wine Competition.
2020
Shiroka Melnishka Loza
In December 2020, just before the Holidays, we launched our newest red wine from the series Augeo Family Estate - Augeo Family Estate Shiroka Melnishka Loza and Merlot 2019
2020
DiVino Top 50
In March 2021, Augeo Family Estate Ruen 2018 became part of the prestigious DiVino Top 50 for the best Bulgarian wines of 2020.
2021
Winner
In June 2021, Augeo Family Estate Shiroka Melnishka Loza and Merlot 2019 won a gold medal at The Balkans International Wine Competition 2021.
2021
5 stars
Augeo Cabernet Reserve with 5 stars in KATAlogue of the Bulgarian wines