Crafting Excellence in Every Bottle
Melesin Distillery has been established in Leskovik, situated in the Kolonje district, at an impressive elevation of 900 meters above sea level, nestled amid the Epir mountains. The selection of Leskovik as the location for this venture stems from its longstanding heritage in wine and raki production. Leskovik has enjoyed a renowned reputation for its wine and raki, dating back to the days of the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the communist regime, Mavrut wines and raki from Leskovik were exclusively reserved for the communist leadership.
The vineyards of Leskovik, situated between 700 to 900 meters above sea level, meet all the criteria to be designated as Heroic vineyards, a status protected and subsidized in Europe, including recognition from UNESCO. These vineyards owe their exceptional quality not only due to their southeast-facing orientation but also to the mineral-rich terrain. This valley, adorned with Leskovik’s vineyards, lies between the thermal springs of Sarandopor and the steam baths of Postenani.
What sets the Leskovik cultivators apart is their reliance solely on natural rainwater for irrigation, resulting in grapes of extraordinary quality due to heightened sugar concentration and mineral absorption from the soil. One key factor that enhances the quality of the grapes, is the significant temperature variation in the region, with hot days and cold nights.
This contrast heightens the quality of the grapes, making them truly unique within the Albanian region. Maintaining these vineyards is an arduous task, given the steep terrain, necessitating manual labor due to the inability to employ machinery. To underscore the profound connection between the residents of this region and viticulture, approximately 220 families own vineyard plots, meaning nearly one in every two families is engaged in viticulture. This tradition arguably makes Leskovik an exceptional, perhaps unparalleled, case in Europe.
These berries are employed by the world’s finest gin producers in Italy, England, Australia, and elsewhere. To assist in gin production, we are fortunate to have Italian experts who have received gold medals in global alcoholic beverage competitions, including the renowned event in San Francisco, USA. The label design conveys a modern/ international flair while also boosting a strong Albanian identity.
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The Melesin Distillery is fully equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, supplied by one of Europe’s premier companies. Meanwhile, the artisanal distillation facility is a handcrafted masterpiece made of copper, custom-built for Leskovik by one of the leading companies from Siena, Italy. This plant is meticulously designed for artisanal distillation, utilizing a steam heat to maintain a consistent temperature, ensuring the highest quality of distillation while preserving all the aromas and characteristics of the final product. The primary goal of this investment is to produce top-quality raki, wine, and gin proudly labelled as “Made in Albania,” thereby guaranteeing and promoting grape production, which is vital for the well-being of Leskovik’s residents and grape growers. The introduction of gin into the Albanian market will be a groundbreaking venture, with production adhering to artisanal London Dry methods, predominantly Albanian aromatic plants, and, unquestionably, black juniper berries sourced from various regions of Albania recognized for their exceptional quality.
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