Velis Vineyards adds to their old vine portfolio
In 2009, Michael and Velichka Zehe make an accidental discovery – an old vine parcel in Bulgaria’s Thracian Valley – that kick starts their winemaking journey. They rescue the abandoned vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the 1970s that was on the verge of being cut for firewood, and expand by buying new plots and planting more vines – across both Bulgaria and Germany.
They champion a sustainable, quality-first approach to winemaking, including minimal intervention in the care for the old vines, and long-term commitment to the land and the local community.
Fifteen years later, as global conversation around old vines grows louder, Velis Vineyards is entering a transformative phase. Their mission – once rooted solely in Bulgaria – is now extending more fully into Germany, Michael’s homeland, through the acquisition of prestigious vineyards, some of which are of VDP.Grosse Lage status and feature significant old vine plantings.
While these German vineyards operate under a new distinct identity – Weingut Zehe – they remain firmly under the Velis umbrella. The ethos is unchanged: respect for heritage, biodiversity, and the intrinsic value of vines that have stood the test of time.
Among the German holdings, over 60% of the vineyard area is now grown on sites that are named by the prestigious VDP organization as ‘Grosse Lage’, including:
Flörsheim-Dalsheim
Oberer Hubacker: Pinot Noir, planted in 1980
Frauenberg: Riesling, Roter Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and notably, Pinot Gris planted in 1960
Mölsheim
Zellerweg am schwarzen Herrgott: Riesling, Pinot Gris
Other holdings include:
Dalsheimer Steig (Erste Lage): Riesling, Chardonnay
Pfeddersheimer Kreuzblick and Kriegsheimer Rosengarten (Ortswein): Riesling, Chardonnay
Flörsheimer Kirchberg (Ortslage): Portugieser planted in 1944, an extraordinary living relic
This treasure trove of old vines reflects viticultural history as well as untapped genetic and terroir-driven potential. The relaunch of Weingut Zehe as a standalone estate allows a more focused approach to German terroir-driven wine production, while Velis Vineyards continues to champion premium wines from Bulgarian-grown grapes.
Looking forward, Velis plans further acquisitions of underappreciated old-vine sites in German and Bulgaria, seeking to preserve not only rare genetic material but also the cultural stories embedded in these historic parcels.
“We believe old vines tell a story that’s impossible to replicate,” says Zehe. “They deserve to be protected, understood, and – most importantly – shared.”
With this new chapter, Velis Vineyards and Weingut Zehe hope to bring more awareness for old vines on a local and global level. The story is still being written – but always with preservation, care and love that transcends borders at its heart.
Velis Vineyards
@velisvineyards
