M a ce d on i a’s f i n es t
This is a story about rich soil that bathes in the sun for most of the year, lush and green vines that grow on it, fresh and clear waters that feed them and the wind that blends in perfect harmony. This is the story of Tikveš Winery, the oldest and largest winery in South-East Europe.
More than 130 years of tradition Since 1885, Tikveš has been the symbol of the centuries-old winemaking tradition in Macedonia, and it is proudly associated with the fine wines made as a result of the perfect conditions provided by the generous nature, combined with the technology and knowledge of experienced winemakers. We trace the beginnings of this story somewhere at the end of the XIX century, when the entrepreneurial spirit had been awoken in Macedonia and organized production and distribution of wines began. In the 1930s, Tikveš became a renowned brand in the Balkans, selling branded products in the country as well as exporting them in the region. Since 1946, Tikveš Winery underwent various organizational and integration processes, increased its capacity to become the largest winery in South-East Europe and launched products that captured the hearts and occupied the wine racks of many wine lovers.
In 2003, the M6 Investment Group assumed the ownership of the Tikveš winery and embarked on a new course - to win on the global market through production of superior quality wines. With nearly 30 million euros worth of new investments, the winery has introduced state of the art technologies in scientific, oenological and production equipment and has raised the processes of vinification, maturing and ageing to the highest level. Following this extensive reorganization and investment, we improved the quality of our products. We blend the tradition and technology using the world winemaking know-how. This change of ownership has brought in new people with great passion for wine and flair for innovation that led to the introduction of new technologies, while still remaining faithful to all good traditional practices.
Svetozar Janevski, BoD Chairman
Our mission and vision As a stronghold on the regional wine market, we pursue the goal of becoming an active participant in the global wine industry, setting trends and new standards in the production, sales and promotion of wines. We believe in excellence as a principle. From growing the grapes, to producing and bottling, to placing in on the market and ultimately consuming the wine - with Tikveť it is more than just wine, it is an entire wine experience that makes life enjoyable. We make and promote authentic and quality products that carry the distinguishable label of Tikveť Winery. We strive to fully meet our consumers’ expectations and keep creating pleasurable and memorable moments. Our values determine our commitments, define our business processes, guide our decision-making, and establish our conduct at work - with co-workers, business partners, consumers, suppliers and the broader community. Our values are the soul of our company.
Tikveš at a glance ● Annual turnover - 20 million euro ● Capacity – 300,000 hl production ● Capacity for microvinification - 3 million kg ● Cellar - 6,000 m² with 500 barrique and 200 oak casks ● Number of bottles/annually - 12 million ● Own vineyards – 1,000 hectares and additional 2,400 hectares purchase from long-term suppliers with direct control of their production. All handpicked. As of 2010, the famous winemaker and wine consultant Philippe Cambie signs many of our premium range products. Now we have not only the capacity, but also the quality to become a major global player.
Our footprint
Tikveš is Macedonia’s market leader when it comes to wine sales in the country, as well as market leader when it comes to wine export. Tikveš participates with nearly 50% of bottled wine exported from Macedonia, leading in value the total exports of bottled wine from Macedonia to the USA and the UK. Our export footprint covers almost 40 countries all over the globe. The quality of our products is recognized by the best wine importers in the most sophisticated markets. Tikveš wines are present at Marks & Spencer stores in the UK. The premium wine importer in the USA, European Cellars, recognized our quality and now our wines are present in Michelin 3-star restaurants in Washington, New York and Chicago. Interest in our wines in new Chinese, Australian and emerging markets is increasing.
Our approach Wine has always been closely connected to the arts and poetry, and so we see it - as an inspiration. The best locations and vineyards in the region have been selected: areas which ecosystems are intact and the climate is ideal for growing grapes, and where our people are committed to caring for every vine and every grape on a daily basis. Wine connoisseurs understand that each and every wine is a piece of art, crafted to perfection. And the creation of a piece of
art demands talent, but the technology used in the process cannot be disregarded. Only when this highend technology is paired with the top experts in the field, such as our team of experienced local and international professionals, the results are visible and recognizable. We believe that a wine reflects its place of origin, not only by the specific terroir, but also by the authentic character and style nurtured during the production process.
Our approach The team of oenologists at Tikveš Winery has a mix of international and domestic experience, youth and wisdom, and use tradition and contemporary winemaking techniques. Our leading expert is Philippe Cambie, the best wine consultant in the world in 2010, according to the eminent Robert Parker and “Wine Advocate”. Under his guidance, we experiment to create new flavours that respond to the new consumers’ demands.
“I have found great terroir locations in Macedonia that benefit from the hot summers and cold winters of the continental climate. These terroir locations are of utmost importance in Europe, differing greatly from terroir locations in the other important wine-producing countries such as Italy, France and Spain. Here we have wines with greater freshness and minerality, with more intense aromas that are fruit-forward in character. At the moment we have three terroir locations, two of which have already been made well known by Tikveš, Bela Voda and Barovo, as well as a new one - Domaine Lepovo.“ Philippe Cambie, Wine consultant
Our approach
What makes Tikveš Winery outstanding is the ability to create wines in which the unique character of the region is conveyed through the exquisite taste of our wines, as well as the skill in creating unique combinations of international and local varieties. Our winery is recognized to have a world-class level in the processes of microvinification and wine maturation in new French barriques. The wines are produced with the use of hyper-reduction technology, thus protecting the wines from early oxidation - which means the lowest levels of sulphites and fewer preservatives - which improves the quality and has a positive impact on the health.
Unique terroir Like an immense green sea of vines, the vineyards stretch in front of our eyes. The grapes like clusters of precious stones, clinging to the stems through which flow the juices that give that particular taste and aroma to these unique wines. Our wines reflect their place of origin with their authentic character. Macedonia has been producing miraculously powerful wines for over three thousand years that embody the scent, the flavours, and the energy of the European south. Macedonia’s geographic position is what can be considered perfect for wine-growing - it enjoys the warm Mediterranean climate from the south, combined with the cooler continental European climate from the north. All winemaking authorities agree that this climate is ideal for growing rich, complex grapes with full fruity aroma. The Tikveť region is the epicentre of our wine industry and is to Macedonia what the Napa Valley is to the USA, Bordeaux is to France, Tuscany is to Italy‌ and interestingly enough, all these locations stretch along the same geographical latitude.
Unique terroir The pinnacle of our production are our single vineyard wines, Bela Voda and Barovo - now recognizable throughout the world that come from special terroirs that give unique characteristics and flavours to these wines. Both Barovo and Bela Voda red wines are left to mature in NEW French barrique barrels for 12 months, before they are bottled. The white ones are aged 7 months in NEW French barrique barrels.
“More serious, with additional structure, the 2012 Bela Voda, which was tasted as a barrel sample, offers fabulous richness and depth, full-bodied richness and ample minerality that come through on the palate. As with the 2011, it has a wealth of material, yet stays beautifully focused and clean, with ripe tannin adding focus on the finish. It should drink well on release and evolve gracefully for a number of years… …coming from Macedonia and a project with Eric Solomon and Philippe Cambie, these efforts are full-throttle, decadently styled wines that remain beautifully drinkable and balanced.” – Robert Parker
Bela Voda
The vineyards in Bela Voda have over 240 sunny days a year. They were planted on gentle slopes of clayey soil that absorbs the Sun’s energy during the day and emits the heat overnight. The Bela voda terroir provides soft tannins, silky and fruit forward wines exhibiting cooked berries, dry plum and sweet black cherry. Oak aging provides more smoothness, enriching it with vanilla, cocoa and a tangible chewing effect in the mouth.
Barovo
Barovo is a remote locality, at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level, enveloped in stillness and surrounded by picturesque hills. Some of the vineyards have been planted in the 70’s and have natural protection from the wind that renders the air very fresh, which in turn achieves a perfect balance of the substances in the grapes. This serene little piece of heaven produces wines rich with fruity aromas, powerful structure and a delicate taste that stays with you long after the first sip.
Re cognized premium qualit y
Recognized premium quality Our vineyards grow the region’s finest grapes. We carefully select the best of the best and make Macedonia’s finest wine. The philosophy behind our winemaking is simple; we understand and optimize our talent, our technology and our grapes. We try to pay equal attention and dedication to each phase of the winemaking process to ensure consistency and therefore quality all the way from the soil, the grape and then to the bottle. We have all the elements which constitute the admirable craftsmanship of the winemaking process - the tradition, the terroir, the technology, and the leading experts. Bringing all these elements together and fine-tuning them to perfection brings forth undeniable results.
Our fine wines receive more than 50 prestigious awards every year in international wine competitions, such as the “International Wine Challenge” and “Decanter” in the UK, and “Mundus Vini” in Germany, thus further establishing Tikveš as a world-class winery. Also, recognition came from Robert Parker-one of the most renowned wine critics. When in 2011, Wine Advocate and Robert Parker awarded 94 points to our “Bela Voda” red 2010, was the first and the only regional wine ever evaluated by a world renowned wine critic. In 2014, Robert Parker and his Wine Advocate confirmed and even improved the grade of 94 given in 2012 for Bela Voda red 2010, with 95 points for Bela Voda Red 2012, and gave high 90+ points for other 7 terroir wines including Vranec Special Selection. Tikveš is the only winery that has won high points for eight wines in all of SEE.
Our portfolio We offer a wide range of wines to meet all tastes of the highly diverse international market; offering both world class wine and real value for money. The Tikveš portfolio includes over 50 different wines, of which some are authentic local varieties, such as Temjanika, Vranec and Smederevka, while others are international, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Rkatsiteli. What makes Tikveš Winery outstanding is the ability to create wines in which the unique character of the region is conveyed through the exquisite taste of our wines, as well as the skill in creating unique combinations of international and local varieties.
Our portfolio
Apart from our extensive portfolio of wines, we also have left a significant mark in the production of spirits. Our grape brandy - Žolta Lozova rakija, Macedonia’s most famous aperitif, is made of wine distillate that is aged in oak barrels under special conditions minimum of three years and it is appreciated and loved by everyone. The exclusive version is rakija VS (Very Special), which ages more than 5 years in oak barrels, is a harmony of intense flavour and elegance.
Unique wine experience
If you come to the winery you will see and feel the new approach, new technologies, and more than 130 years long tradition and centuries long wine production. A visit to the enchanting wine archive will tell a story - the history of Tikveš, the history of the people, the tradition of producing wine for centuries. It is an extraordinary opportunity for all who experience wine as a challenge, adventure, or inspiration, to delve deep into the incredible stories that each bottle of Tikveš wine has to tell. But even when you open the wine at home, you will feel the spirit of the people from this area and the energy of the same.
Growing into a winery that produces premium wines, and at the same time remaining the largest producer of wine in the region, Tikveš has become a metaphor for the unique synergy of the Old World and the New World winery. In our understanding of the industry, being inventive means to be authentic. Our vision is to craft, with joint endeavours of each member of the team, premium wines that have the Tikveš seal of quality. The magnificent wines created in this special place, with the love and passion of generations of devoted winemakers will continue to write the glorious story of the Macedonia’s Finest.
Skopje 810 br. 2, 1000 Skopje Republic of Macedonia Tel: +389 2 3181 700 Fax: +389 2 3181 735 e-mail: contact@tikves.com.mk
Kavadarci 29 Noemvri 5, 1430 Kavadarci Republic of Macedonia Tel: +389 43 447 500 Fax: +389 43 415 451 e-mail: vvtikves@tikves.com.mk
www.tikves.com.mk