Baltic Wines

Annie knows a good bottle when she sees one! She’s licking her chops over the Seven Generations 2012 Cuvée—a masterful blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot, aged 36 months in French oak. With a smooth 13.5% ABV and elegance that earned it a 2016 Médaille d'Or Gold Medal, this Thracian Valley gem ranks among the top 4% of wines in the world and top 3% from its region. If you haven't discovered Seven Generations Winery yet, it's time. Tradition, terroir, and taste—crafted to perfection. Available at Khoury's.

When I traveled to Varna on the Black Sea to study strength and conditioning at the Bulgarian Olympic Training Facility in 1987 with the National Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, I expected a physically intense experience—but what I didn’t expect was to fall headfirst into the vibrant wine culture of Eastern Europe. Immersing myself in Bulgarian life meant embracing its food, traditions, and of course, its wine. Late nights filled with homemade rakia, bold reds from the Thracian Valley, and stories around the table revealed a side of the region I’d never known—and sparked my curiosity to explore further.

When it comes to wine destinations, the Balkans and Eastern Europe often fly under the radar—but for adventurous wine-lovers, countries like Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bulgaria offer a treasure trove of unexpected delights. These regions are home to ancient vineyards, unique indigenous grape varieties, and a blend of old-world tradition with modern innovation. Moldova, in particular, boasts one of the world’s oldest winemaking legacies, with a viniculture heritage stretching back thousands of years. From coastal vineyards overlooking the Adriatic to hidden cellars carved into limestone hills, this part of the world invites curious palates to explore a rich tapestry of wine, culture, and history waiting to be discovered.

Historically, this region has one of the richest wine legacies in the world. Georgia is recognized as the cradle of wine, with evidence of winemaking dating back 8,000 years. The Baltic states saw viticulture emerge in the Middle Ages, but it was disrupted by wars, occupations, and collectivization. Since the 1990s, a quiet revolution has been underway—small producers reclaiming old techniques and planting new vines. As I pull the cork of the 2020 Chateau Mukhrani Grand Vin de Georgie, I can't help feel a rush of anticipation -- there's something truly special about tasting a vintage from a region where winemaking has been a way of life for over 8,000 years.

Nestled in the heart of Georgia’s Kartli region, Château Mukhrani traces its noble roots back to 1878, founded by Prince Ivane Mukhranbatoni who combined traditional Georgian winemaking with French château-style techniques. This historic estate is renowned for elevating indigenous grape varieties like Saperavi—a deeply pigmented, teinturier grape known for its aging potential and bold character. In this WSET Level III tasting, Château Mukhrani’s Saperavi presents as off-dry and full-bodied, with medium-plus acidity and firm, gripping tannins. The palate opens with intense primary notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, supported by secondary layers of oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate. Tertiary nuances of leather, mushrooms, and earthy depth reveal the wine’s evolving complexity—an elegant tribute to both heritage and terroir.

Though lesser-known, Lithuania has a deep-rooted history of viticulture dating back to the medieval Grand Duchy. While the Soviet era paused much of its wine development, the post-independence revival has brought with it a fresh wave of energy. Today, Lithuanian winemakers are blending historical knowledge with modern sensibilities, crafting wines from both grapes and local fruits. Their commitment to storytelling and sense of place—often paired with Lithuania’s strong culinary traditions—makes their contribution to the Baltic wine landscape uniquely soulful and grounded in heritage.

The 1992 Lithuanian Olympic basketball team, proudly wearing Grateful Dead–designed tie-dye T-shirts, became a symbol of freedom, resilience, and slam-dunk spirit. Just two years after declaring independence from the Soviet Union, Lithuania rallied behind its team in Barcelona—funded in part by the Dead themselves. Against all odds, they won bronze and unified a reborn nation through sport and soul. At wineblogwithadog.com, we believe in stories like this—where identity, creativity, and a little rebellion come together in a perfect blend, just like a great wine. Here is Sarunas Marciulionis, one of the first Europeans to play in the NBA. I watched him practice and play in many games when he was with the Golden State Warriors.

Annie and Lucy keeping watch behind a bottle of 2012 Seven Generations Cuvée—proof that great wine and good dogs make the perfect pairing. This bold beauty from Bulgaria’s Ruse region pours a deep ruby hue and offers a richly layered experience. The primary aromatics burst with blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, cherry, and a hint of violet. Secondary notes of dark chocolate, oak, vanilla, and brûlée cream add warmth and complexity, while subtle tertiary touches of earth and leather reveal its age and depth. Balanced and structured, with a graceful thread of pepper and cinnamon spice, this Cuvée is a standout expression of Bulgarian terroir—and a moment worth savoring with my favorite furry companions.

Bulgarian wine is one of the world’s best-kept secrets, with a winemaking tradition that stretches back over 6,000 years to the ancient Thracians, who worshipped Dionysus, the god of wine. Culturally embedded in the fabric of the country, wine in Bulgaria is more than a drink—it’s a symbol of hospitality, celebration, and national pride. Bulgaria’s diverse terroir includes fertile plains, rolling hills, and the temperate influence of the Black Sea, creating ideal conditions for both native and international grape varieties. The country is divided into five official wine regions, with the Thracian Lowlands producing bold, sun-kissed reds like Mavrud, and the Danubian Plain known for crisp whites such as Dimyat. The Struma Valley, Rose Valley, and Black Sea region each offer unique microclimates and soil compositions that contribute to Bulgaria’s growing reputation as a destination for expressive, terroir-driven wines. With a perfect blend of ancient heritage and modern innovation, Bulgarian wine is ready to take its rightful place on the global stage.

Winnie the Corgi soaking up the Las Vegas sun behind a bottle of Seven Generations Rosé from Bulgaria's Thracian Valley—a historic region known for bold reds and elegant rosés with deep roots in ancient winemaking. This rosé delivers earthy flint stone, wild strawberry, crisp apple, and a whisper of crushed rose petal. On the first 105° day of 2025, it's the perfect match for a chicken salad sandwich on Asiago cheese bread. Chilled, vibrant, and unmistakably Bulgarian.

Croatian wine has a history stretching back over 2,500 years, rooted in the winemaking traditions of the ancient Illyrians and Greeks, and later shaped by Roman, Venetian, and Austro-Hungarian influences. Despite setbacks during the phylloxera epidemic and communist-era cooperatives, Croatia’s wine industry has experienced a renaissance since gaining independence in the 1990s, with renewed focus on indigenous grape varieties like Plavac Mali, Pošip, and Grk. Today, Croatia boasts over 300 geographically defined wine regions and a growing international reputation for its diverse terroirs and artisanal producers, particularly along the Dalmatian coast and the Istrian Peninsula. One emblematic expression of this heritage is the Vina Skaramuča Plavac Dry Red Wine 2020, a modern continuation of Croatia’s enduring and evolving winemaking legacy.

Vina Skaramuča Plavac Dry Red Wine 2020—pictured here in its deep ruby hue—is a striking example of Croatia’s winemaking legacy on the Pelješac Peninsula, where the Plavac Mali grape has thrived for centuries in sun-drenched, terraced vineyards. On the nose and palate, it bursts with primary aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, red plum, and blueberry, followed by well-integrated secondary notes of oak, dark chocolate, clove, and black pepper. With age, it reveals tertiary layers of toast, walnut, and leather, offering depth and complexity. At 13% ABV, this wine reflects both the power and elegance of Dalmatian viticulture, bridging ancient traditions with modern craftsmanship.

Viticulture in Moldova has ancient roots, with evidence of winemaking dating back over 5,000 years. Nestled between the Prut and Dniester rivers, Moldova's rolling hills and fertile soils have long provided ideal conditions for grape cultivation, making wine an essential part of its national identity. During the Soviet era, Moldova became one of the largest wine producers in the USSR, with expansive underground wine cellars like Cricova and Mileștii Mici—now UNESCO candidates—serving as enduring symbols of this legacy. Wine is not merely an agricultural product in Moldova; it is a cultural touchstone, celebrated in festivals, family traditions, and religious rituals. Today, Moldova is undergoing a renaissance in winemaking, with a growing emphasis on indigenous varieties like Fetească Neagră and Rară Neagră, and a vibrant wine tourism scene that proudly showcases the country's ancient winemaking heritage and resilient spirit.

Pictured here, the Château Purcari 1827 Rara Neagră de Purcari Dry Red Wine 2022 embodies Moldova’s rich winemaking heritage, cultivated on the banks of the Dniester River since the founding of Château Purcari in 1827 under the Russian Empire. This deep ruby wine highlights the unique expression of the indigenous Rara Neagră grape, offering vibrant primary aromas of cherry, blackberry, plum, and violet. Secondary notes of cream, toast, and biscuit add finesse, while evolving tertiary characteristics—leather, raisin, and an earthy undertone—reflect careful aging and craftsmanship. As one of Eastern Europe’s most storied wineries, Château Purcari continues to honor its legacy through wines like this, where tradition and terroir converge in every glass.

On wineblogwithadog.com, the Baltic Wine Blog is a celebration of discovery—an off-the-beaten-path exploration of wines from the Baltic and Balkan regions that may not be on any sommelier certification exam, but are absolutely worth your glass and attention. These wines might not show up in WSET study packs or blind tasting grids, but they offer unique expressions of terroir, history, and tradition. Annie and Lucy's wine blog is about curiosity, storytelling, and stepping beyond the expected to savor wines that reflect centuries of resilience, craft, and often-overlooked excellence.

Sandy, savoring a quiet moment with a bottle of Rough Day 2022 Chardonnay from the Danube Plains, found in parts of Bulgaria, Austria, Ukraine, Croatia, Romania, and Moldova — a fresh, crisp, yet subtly creamy tribute to her sister, Rizo. Aromas of lemon curd, white flowers, and apple rise from the glass, followed by flavors of lemon zest and white peach. 13% ABV, just 109 calories per glass — a gentle reminder that while we all have rough days, it’s the good ones we should hold onto a little longer. #InMemoryOfRizo #RoughDayWine

My personal connection to this region began in 1987 during a trip to Bulgaria that left a lasting impression. I was captivated by the warmth of the people, the richness of the culture, and the unforgettable food and nightlife. What stood out most, however, was my deep dive into the biomechanics of Bulgaria’s world-class Olympic weightlifting team—athletes who, like the wines of their homeland, were meticulously crafted, fiercely disciplined, and globally underappreciated. That era, when Eastern Europeans dominated the lifting platforms, paralleled the kind of quiet strength and finesse I now find in many of the region’s wines. Exploring these bottles with my dogs Annie and Lucy by my side is a toast to that memory and a reminder that wine—like sport, culture, and travel—is at its best when it's personal.