A Winemaker’s Journey – Miro Tcholakov

Posted on   November 7,2023   By John and Linda Compisi

Miro Cellars is a one-man operation, featuring Miro (Miroslav)Tcholakov. Miro resides in the same small town that we lived in before we moved to Nevada, Cloverdale, CA. We have always respected him and have loved his wine. Miro and John have been working the SF Chronicle Wine Competition for over 10 years, he as a judge and John as a volunteer, until 4 years ago when John was asked to be a judge. Miro is affable, a gentleman and a widely respected winemaker and wine judge. We think you are in for a treat. Read on.

Tasting the Wines

Miro told us his favorite current release are the 2021 vintage which he calls fantastic. “All of my wines have gotten very good scores (both Miro Cellars and Trentadue Winery), so far. My favorites right now are the 2022 Chardonnay, 2021 Miro Cuvee Sasha and 2021 Pinot Noir”. The 2021vintage was Miro’s 20^th for Miro Cellars.

2022 Miro Cellars Chardonnay Best of Class

This is a single vineyard Chardonnay from Olivet Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. We drank it lightly chilled to allow the aromas and flavors to be apparent. When wines are too cold, white or red, the nuanced aromas and flavors are less perceptible. Here, the aromas of green apple and vanilla came through brightly. The flavors of rich green apple and vanilla, from the oak, were buttery, but not too much so. The wine has very balanced acid, giving it a lively and wonderfully long finish. At only $46, this wine would pair beautifully with lobster, other seafood and even popcorn.

Winning best of show at September’s Sonoma County Harvest Fair is quite a coup as all the competition was from other outstanding Sonoma County Vintners. As Miro said, “I’ve been making Chardonnay for years for other wineries. This is the first time I’ve bottled one for Miro Cellars. Aromas of apple and lemon blossoms tempt the first sip. Flavors of ripe Granny Smiths meld with pineapple and honeysuckle. The mouthfeel is satiny, buttery, yet crisp on the long and satisfying finish. This wine is bound to become one of your favorite Chardonnays. Only 350 cases produced.” 14.2% Alcohol

2021 Miro Cellars Russian River Pinot Noir
The 2021 Miro Pinot comes from a vineyard off Westside Road south of Healdsburg in the Russian River Valley. This Pinot features the characteristics of the 667 and 777 clones resulting in fresh, ripe red fruit aromas and flavors with vanilla and cola notes. It also displays a certain earthiness. We especially appreciated the balance between the acids and the soft tannins.

Miro says, “The wine is still very young. It will develop nicely with 3-6 years of aging.” We agree. This Pinot has a seamless and velvety mouth feel. Only 293 cases were produced so at $40 per bottle, this wine will not be on the shelves for long. 14.5% Alcohol

2021 Miro Cellars, Cuvee Sasha. Chevalier Vineyard, Mendocino County 

We are big fans of Grenache based wines. This one is 78% Grenache and 22% Syrah and was exceptionally satisfying. We enjoyed it at about 60°F, which is the temperature at which we store our red wines. This wine, Best of Class at the 2023 LA International Wine Competition, receiving 100 points, practically jumped out of the glass with flavors of dry cherries, plum and strawberries. The aromas literally matched the flavors but had an added hint of dried flowers and herbs. We would enjoy this with many foods as the acidity and balance are very food friendly. To quote Miro, “Cuvée Sasha is always an intriguing combination of soft and intense.”

Miro has been sourcing his Grenache fruit for several years from long time Mendocino County grower, Peter Chevalier. The vineyard is directly above Lake Mendocino and enjoys several factors necessary for producing high quality fruit, including sustainable farming, the right soil, and the proper microclimate. Miro fermented the Grenache in stainless steel tanks and then aged the wine for 17 months in a combination of new European oak (15%) and neutral oak barrels (85%). The wine finished at 14.5% alcohol.

This wine also received Double Gold at the North Coast Challenge and Best of Class, Double Gold at the 2023 Los Angeles Invitational wine competition. Unbelievable pricing of $28 per bottle. Only 346 cases were produced so they’ll go fast.

The Winemaker

We asked Miro what led him to making award winning wines. He told me, “Probably a lot to do with my upbringing. I grew up in communist Bulgaria and spent many summers and falls harvesting all kinds of crops (it was mandatory, free labor during school years). Also, I spent most of my summer vacations with my grandparents helping at the ranch harvesting and prepping food for the winter. My first exposure to the world of wine happened at very early age when my grandpa gave me my own wine glass and I was allowed to participate in dinner time festivities. So, I had the passion for wine and the work ethic in me from a very early age. Also, I’m fairly ambitious and perhaps an overachiever. I do make that extra step if I’m convinced that it will make the difference.”

Responding to the question of his favorite varietal to vinify, he said, “I can tell you which varietal I do not enjoy-Zinfandel. As much as I love the wine (I have been on the Board of Directors of ZAP, (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, for over a decade now) making Zin can be very challenging and time consuming. It is unpredictable and hard to control if you want to push it to its best.” He never did tell us which was his favorite.

The Tasting Room – Sorry No!

Miro Cellars does not have a tasting room and all wine sales are direct to consumer (DTC). Your best bet is his wine club. Club Miro is like a loyalty program. Buy 12 bottles of wine from their website, and you’re in the Club. Your first case of wine is 10% off but your next case is 25% off. Once you’re a club member you get 15% off 1 to 11 bottles and 25% off 12 or more bottles per order. Keep ordering (by the bottle or by the case) at least 12 bottles per year, to stay in the club. Members must re-order at least once during the next 12 months to stay in the club. VIP Bottle Service Club allows you to receive automatic shipments of pre-release wines, limited availability wines, library wines and more. Miro did say that his wines are found in some restaurants in Napa, Marin and northern Sonoma County, like Mustards in St Helena, also Il David in San Rafael, Diavola and Catelli’s in Geyserville.

If you are visiting or live in the vicinity of Santa Rosa, CA, then the Bottle Barn may be the best way for you to get Miro Cellars wine. We checked their online store and they have a good selection of Miro Cellars at reasonable prices.

Heritage 

Miro Tcholakov was born and raised in a region of northern Bulgaria with an enviable winemaking history – think millennia not centuries. Winemaking was in his blood at an early age as he shadowed his grandfather, whose house was surrounded by vineyards, while he produced the family wine supply, something quite common in Europe.

Miro’s formal wine education began at the Higher Institute of Agriculture in Plovdiv where he studied viticulture and enology. In the summer of 1990, he was chosen to participate in an international exchange program in agriculture set up by The Future Farmers of America.

As part of the program, he spent a few months in Napa before coming to Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Vineyard which took him on as a harvest intern. Nine years later, 1997, Miro was Assistant Winemaker there. In 1998 he became Winemaker for Trentadue Winery, which is still his “day job”.

In 2001, Miro Cellars was born with the inaugural bottling of his Petite Sirah. Robert Parker, Jr., awarded it 90 points in the Wine Advocate. Quite the coup for a first bottling.

We asked Miro about the source of his grapes. “I personally do not have any vineyards of my own. I have sourced my grapes from several growers and vineyards over the last 30 years. I always look for small, under the radar, vineyards where the grower is completely involved and passionate about their fruit. So, I have harvested and made wine from Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Grenache and Ribolla Gialla from a variety of vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.”

Miro’s total case production hovers around 2,500 cases each vintage and sells his wines, almost exclusively, directly to consumers on his website, https://mirocellars.com/shop/ over the phone (707) 893-7144 (text or voicemail) or via email, info@mirocellars.com. In our opinion, his prices are very reasonable and a value purchase.

Final Thoughts

We love the stories and the special wines that can only be found by scouring the back roads and trails of wine country, weather it is Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Paso Robles, the Sierra Foothills or Burgundy, Alsace, Valpolicella or Croatia. Miro Cellars is one of those hidden gems that you only find by getting out there and searching for the unique bites, flights and sights that are around the next corner and around the world. Join us in our continuing exploration and discovery.