Dragomir Winery Estate

It is located in the village of Brestnik, on the road to the medieval Kuklenski Monastery. The zone around the winery had been for small, agricultural industries, surrounded by vineyards. To a large extent, the area appearance is preserved up today, although some parts have become now residential neighbourhoods. The property also houses an old wine cellar from the 1930s with parts later added until the early 1970s. It became clear that the old winery could not meet modern requirements for winemaking. The new winery had to be much smaller, suitable for the production of boutique wines. The construction of the new winery openly shows the entire technological process. The building is situated at the highest point of the plot. A future development foresees construction of an enoteca in the preserved basement of the old cellar, as well as sports facilities and 16 houses located in a park.

Most of the winery builtup area is on underground and semiunderground levels. Levels difference in height is used as a technological advantage and allows a gravitation wine process. Satisfying wine production aims was not the only target. Visitors' impressions were also essential for the design as different types of events happen wine tastings, parties, festivities, presentations. From the outer entrance gallery, visitors are immersed in the specific atmosphere of a wine cellar. Along the walk, the guest could closely observe from above the production process through the large glass galleries. The fermentation hall whit its stainless steel tanks and the barrel cellar are spacious large and high rooms. The office of the oenologists looks over the fermentation hall and helps the supervision. The tasting room bends over both the entrance gallery and the shop. It has a view over the barrels and the fermentation hall indoors and outwards to Plovdiv Seven Hills in the far distance. The city of Plovdiv was the European Capital of Culture of 2019.

The two levels volume of the winery follows the main geographical directions. Viewed from north to south, the elongated northern facade is projected under the silhouette of the mountain hills. Much of the external walls are revetted with dark basalt stone, which emphasizes the volumes of beton brut. The construction of the building is reinforced concrete. The largest hall is 16.80 meters wide and 7.10 meters high. The floors are washed often therefore they are mostly made of high-quality polished concrete, easy to maintain. The walls in technological rooms are raw concrete enhance the modern industrial look of the building. Wooden panelling is used in the tasting room, and in the offices. Large glazing closes the galleries to the voids.