Plum Wine Fermenting Well in Yambol

 A distinct smell of fermenting plums was experienced today in Yambol. On investigating I found that indeed there were three barrels of plum wine well in the process of fermenting. No doubt distilling into rakia is on the cards soon

Grapevines Grown Over Yambol Garages

It is nearly harvest time in the grape world and these two Yambol garages are no exception to the chores of harvesting. Not just from the point of wine and rakia but how much improved does the sight of the garages improve with the greenery surrounding them? Immense!

A Store For Fermenting Wine for Rakia in Yambol

At first sight you wouldn't know what this corrugated box was sitting in the suburbs of Yambol. Inside are 12 big 100 litre barrels of fermenting wine ready for making the traditional spirit Rakia. If you don't know what Rakia is then check out this sight which will inform you The Rakia Site

Rakia Making Still Active In Yambol

Our local rakia house is still very much in use with locals who are processing their grape wine. Thie smoking fires heating the wine will be going on right through to Christmas and perhaps beyond. This year the grape harvest wasn't that good which means poor wine that won't be drunk but turned into rakia instead. Nothing is wasted here.

A Fine Vine Outside A Yambol Apartment Block

There will certainly be grapes to eat and wine or rakia to drink in the community with this fine vine growing outside this Yambol apartment block. A common sight to see all over Yambol, where there is space crops will grow. It also provided a good shelter from the hot summer sun.

Rolling In Sliva Wine For Rakia Making In Yambol

This cart was pulled in by donkey full of sliva (plum) wine for the rakia making process that goes on not just in Yambol but the whole of the Balkan region. It will be ready for drinking around the end of September at the start of the grape harvesting season.

New Vines Planted Out In Yambol Streets

Growing you own grapevines out on the public street is common in Yambol. The art is still very much alive with new vines planted out recently on the public street new the main hospital. It is quite refreshing to know that these vines will be here in 20 years time giving grapes which I bet have wine an rakia in mind.

The Yambol Wine Barrel Maker's Shop

This is the local Yambol wine barrel maker's shop, or the Yambol cooper as the professional is technically known. Not only used for wine I might add, but rakia. I don't use them myself as my own wine and rakia get drunk within the year of making, although many Bulgarians store their rakia in these barrels for years improving with age from the wood infusion. Also the cost of these barrels are far to expensive compared to the 2/3/5 or 10 litres plastic containers most use here for storing wine and rakia.  

Only One Stall Open In The Yambol Bazaar Today

I was cold and many people snow bound including stall holders in the Yambol bazaar. Only one stall was open and no customers, I just came to look around. I was tempted by the home made wine and rakia for sale in the forefront, but declined as I have enough of my own in stare right now.

One Vine For Five Familes

This community vine tops the previous picture of a community, which catered for four families. This one covers five floors and each has a harvest to look forward to in September. Not enough for wine but more than enough to fill a fruit bowls on the dining room table for a few weeks. This is great to see.