“Zolotaya Balka”

“overhaul” or a time of change

It seems that “Zolotaya Balka” to a new level of development. New people come, you buy the equipment, transplanted vineyards, and created a new line of wines, and with them a new image, a new label (ZB).

The company is located in the South-West of the Crimean Peninsula, in the district of Balaklava.
It seems that there is one of the best local terroirs. The mountain range protects it from cold Northern winds, and Vice versa, delaying the warm Maritime air in winter.

But this does not mean that there is no problem.

Alkaline soil, heat, lack of moisture.
All of this contributes to aging red wines. Therefore, specialization “Golden Beams” – sparkling wine. They need the acidity, which is much easier to save on alkaline soils, and even when the 40-degree heat is “off”, the accumulation of sugars.

In the past, the vineyards ZB ruthlessly exploited. And the vines that You see in the photo, seem to be an old man. And in fact, they just 30-35 years. But illiterate crop, very high yielding, hydrostress, places the black soil – all this has contributed to premature aging of the vine.

All agricultural firm owns 1,400 hectares of vineyards.

Some vines will rejuvenate, part to change. The plan is for several years.
Every year rusarchives a few dozen hectares of old plantations.
For some time the land is fallow. It is absolutely necessary for getting rid of old pests. And then (preferably three years) is the colonization of new seedlings.

Vineyards Golden Beam are on a variety of soils – from super-fat to the limestone of the southern black soil. Different exposure, different height above sea level. To each site it is necessary to choose the grade and variety and the soil – rootstock.
This is one of the most difficult tasks and the results will be visible soon. Each mistake will be very costly in monetary and time.

The main direction remains the same – a sparkling white wine.
Part of the white varieties is still wines.

Example: Rkatsiteli.

It seems to me that this sort of undervalued. He is a native of Georgia, refers to the black sea group of sorts. A vigorous cultivar and its yield before scale – up to 20-23 tons/ha. the more tons, the more medals, but lower quality. This plant still lives in the minds of many people and prevents to handle the vineyards anew. The “green fee” for them as nonsense and a waste of the harvest.

Yet expend a lot of effort to change the minds of growers, to show in practice the difference between wines, to give up profits, but to get a decent quality product. Rkatsiteli hardy varieties, and with proper treatment has a show.

The southern varieties are in all respects better tolerate heat and drought.
In the NINETEENTH century in the Crimea was imported thousands of vines of European varieties, and almost all did not survive the difficult conditions of existence. Especially hard there is a red international varieties. Local easier.

For example, the Crimean autochthonous – Kokur, the origin of which is associated with Greek colonists. He’s got a long growing season. We used to see this variety in the sweet fortified wines. But why not try this local resident in dry form? Only, while maintaining the normal acidity and full protection from oxidation in the workplace. Many white southern wine sin these shortcomings.

And Golden Beams have a desire to try yourself in a dry red wine.

The first experience was not too good. Many of us remember the confusion that caused dry red from ZB last fall. The crop was taken from the old vines, which just not been able in this yield to give a qualitative ripened berries. Yes, and the timing of cleaning was the problem. And very pleased that the work was done on the bugs. In the future, plan the production of still wines, but they will be few and only the best ripened grapes.

Just now there is a meticulous selection of suitable areas. This is something of an experiment, which is very interesting to do. Will need to find adequate to local conditions varieties to choose methods of vine and conditions of vinification. These studies will be purchased microperimetry. Fortunately, the company management understands the need to study all stages of the creation of good wine and encourages the necessary research.

Another interesting autochthonous – Bastardo Magarachskii.

This intraspecific hybrid. One parent: Trusseau (FR.), he’s a Bastardo (in the Dão and Douro in Portugal), the other parent: the Georgian Saperavi. The cross was established in 1949 N. Popov and V. Zotov in Magarach. It is perfectly adapted to local conditions and gives a memorable wine from an unusual varietal flavour, thick body and strong colour.

Golden Beams have very interesting experiences on the use of yeast cultures, the ancestors of whom were local wild yeast.
Culture were bred in research Institute of viticulture and winemaking “Magarach”. Microbial collection at the Institute was started 1893 and includes unique patterns. Is real wealth. The use of these cultures requires separate studies on production, but can give remarkable results when you create a “terroir” wines.

In the Golden Gully grow a starter from specially crafted in the “Magarach” of the local culture of yeast.
They are propagated in special fermenters (photo below). I have seen similar installations abroad, and it was always a subject of special pride of the owners. On the one hand, tested the yeast, will provide uninterrupted clean fermentation, on the other – retains the format of the place of origin. Very convenient!

And I really liked the people with whom we had a chance to chat. Indeed, selected a great team!
The desire for change, ability to self-criticism, passion, openness, thirst for new knowledge even after 20-30 years of work.

To the old, proven expertise, the group was joined by new forces.
It was a pleasure to meet Oleg Repin. His long and successful experience with quiet wines in the Crimea will no doubt be very useful for the Golden Beams. Oleg works closely with the new chief agronomist. This Duo is expensive.

In many farms, winemakers and grape growers and live our lives. Agronomists concerned only with the technical parameters of sugars. And as there is then the winemaker will cover blemishes, earned in the vineyard, they are a little worried. In Golden Gully we found a kindred spirit. And we really want our visits were useful not only to us.