About us
AS Värska Originaal (until January 2022 AS Värska Vesi) is a family business that started already in 1993. We bottle and market Värska mineral water which we extract from deep underground in the forests of Southern Estonia.
Vision
Our vision is to be the most preferred choice in the market of natural mineral water and the healthy products based on it.
Mission
Our mission is to offer high-quality drinks for your health.
Core values
In our daily work, we are guided by our core values, which are:
Reliability
We treat others with respect and trust and keep our promises. For us, responsibility and sustainability are not just mandatory buzzwords, but issues that we really deal with every day.
Quality
We guarantee the stable quality and healthiness of our products. Among other things, this is proven by the AS Metrosert certificate, which confirms our food safety management system meets the requirements of the ISO 22000:2018 standard.
Traditions
We produce the genuine and first natural mineral water in Estonia and, at the same time, develop other products based on it. Värska mineral water was already extracted in 1973, and we still get it the same way today – from deep underground, retaining all its beneficial properties. And to carry on the traditions even more, we bottle the same crystal-clear Värska Originaal in a high-quality glass bottle again.
Development
We respect technological development and increase production efficiency, while always being environmentally friendly. For example, we are the first beverage producer in Estonia that started putting its products in bottles made of recycled plastic.
Certificates
Olulised faktid
The products of AS Värska Originaal are marketed in
Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia,South-Korea
Värska Originaal’s bottled mineral water comes from borehole No. 7, which is
470 m
deep. Drinking water is obtained from a well with a depth of 95 m, and the depth of Värska Naturaal’s mineral water borehole No. 8 is 130 m.
AS Värska Originaal produces approximately
40%
of the bottled water sold in Estonia.
AS Värska Originaal’s food safety management system meets the requirements of the
ISO 22000:2018standard.
Exports make up
25%
of the sold liters by volume. The biggest export market for Värska Originaal is Finland.
There are over
3,000mineral water brands in the world, and Värska Originaal has an honorable place among them.
In 2022, the turnover of AS Värska Originaal was
14,2
million euros. In January 2023, the company had 70 employees.
The company's shares belong to
100%
Estonian owners.
Värska Originaal is the
most beloved mineral water in EstoniaBased on an independent 2022 study done by Nielsen.
The company has been located in the exact same place for all
50
years
The productivity of our fresh natural mineral water well is
12 m³/hthe productivity of our crystal clear groundwater well is
12 m³/hIn 2024.
35 mln
bottles were produced, the growth in the last two years has been 30%.
In 2024, the company produced
20 million liters
Of mineral water and mineral water products, of which 11 million liters was naturally sourced Värska Original mineral water. 22 million liters of drinking water was also produced.
The history of Värska Originaal is exceptionally dignified – the whole thing began 500 million years ago.
500 million years ago
Beneath our earth lies the finest water in the world – natural mineral water. Under Värska Bay, at a depth of 470 meters, is a crystal-clear, mineral-rich water, dating back 500 million years. Although the company’s history begins in 1973, the roots of mineral water production trace back to the 1930s.
BCE
The first steps
In the summer of 1936, pharmacist Peter Mikheim opened a mineral water factory in Värska. Bottling likely continued until Peter Mikheim’s pharmacy was nationalized in 1940.
YEAR1936
Värska borehole
In the spring of 1967, drilling work began on the southern side of Värska Bay near Lake Õrsava, led by geologist Vladimir Tassa. The goal was to reach a rare underground water source. After a summer of drilling, they reached a depth of 463 meters.
YEAR1967
The first bottle
In 1973, mineral water was first bottled in 0.5 L glass bottles and marketed in Estonia.
YEAR1973
Formation of Värska Vesi AS
On June 1, 1993, Toivo Nõgesmäe, Georg Mahla, Urmas Jõgeva, Endel Kapten, and Vello Kikamägi transformed the former sovkhoz’s auxiliary production enterprise into a joint-stock company, Värska Vesi, which continues to bottle mineral water and soft drinks to this day.
YEAR1993
The start of using plastic bottles
Värska Vesi began bottling water in PET bottles (plastic bottles) and drilled well number 7, reaching a depth of 470 meters.
YEAR1995
Recognition of the mineral water well
On October 23, 2002, an application was submitted to the Health Protection Inspectorate for the recognition of the mineral water well, as per EU regulations, which allow the product to be sold as natural mineral water if the well is recognized in the member state.
YEAR2002
Recognition of Värska Originaal
On July 14, 2005, AS Värska Vesi received recognition that Värska Originaal was the only certified natural mineral water in Estonia.
YEAR2005
Visit by the president of Estonia
In August 2011, the president of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, visited the company. Later that year, after a year-long process, the company received a food safety certificate confirming that its production and products met ISO 22000:2005 standards.
YEAR2011
Bottling in glass bottles resumed
Preparations began to reintroduce glass bottles. At the end of May, bottling of mineral water into 0.33 L and 0.5 L glass bottles started. The official opening of the new production line was at the end of June, attended by the then Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, Juhan Parts.
YEAR2012
New borehole
In the spring, AS Värska Vesi completed a new borehole for bottling spring water and launched the Värska Spring Water product line.
YEAR2016
The company started bottling water in recycled material bottles
In April, the company became the first beverage producer in Estonia to bottle in recycled material bottles. Värska Originaal’s 1 L PET bottle is made from 20% recycled plastic.
YEAR2020
Company’s production became 100% green energy
In May, the company transitioned its production to 100% green energy, including energy from solar panels installed on the factory’s roof. In July, functional drinks and sports drinks were added to the production line. In November, the company’s management changed: Rauno Jõgeva became the CEO, while the former CEO Urmas Jõgeva continued as the chairman of the supervisory board.
YEAR2021
Company name change
In January, the company changed its name. The new business name is AS Värska Originaal.
YEAR2022
Värska Originaal 50!
On April 19, the company celebrated 50 years of bottling Värska Originaal.
YEAR2023
We are a family as much as a team and work for the same goals.
Urmas Jõgeva
Nõukogu esimees
urmas@varskaoriginaal.ee
Rauno Jõgeva
Juhatuse esimees / Müügidirektor
rauno@varskaoriginaal.ee
Oliver Jõgeva
Juhatuse liige /
Ekspordijuht
oliver@varskaoriginaal.ee
Piret Jõgeva
Kvaliteedijuht
piret@varskaoriginaal.ee
Daisi Tann
Turundusspetsialist
daisi@varskaoriginaal.ee
+372 5371 7926
Martin Raisma
Äriarendusjuht
martin@varskaoriginaal.ee
+372 514 9185
Vaido Uibo
South-Estonian Sales Manager
vaido@varskaoriginaal.ee
+372 5340 7127
Miku Mehine
Tehnoloog
miku@varskaoriginaal.ee
Laura Plesch
Pearaamatupidaja
laura@varskaoriginaal.ee
Mait Maiste
Sisseostujuht
mait@varskaoriginaal.ee
Taavi Tuik
Tootmisjuht
taavi@varskaoriginaal.ee
Märt Seppo
Peamehaanik
mart@varskaoriginaal.ee
Silvi Ojaperv
Raamatupidaja
silvi@varskaoriginaal.ee
Meelis Kapten
Ida-Eesti müügijuht ning varustaja
meelis@varskaoriginaal.ee
From this page you can download the Värska Originaal logo, product photos and more. Please remember that these are copyrighted items.
Värska Original
0,35 L L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Originaal
0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Original
1 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Original
1,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Originaal klaaspudelis 335 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Originaal klaaspudelis 700 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Originaal aluseline gaasita 0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Originaal aluseline gaasita 1,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Lemon
0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Lemon
1,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal gaasiga 0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal gaasiga 1,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal carbonated
330 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal carbonated
700 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal gaasita 0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal gaasita 1,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal gaasita klaaspudelis 330 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal gaasita klaaspudelis 700 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal Plus aloe vera – yuzu 0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal Plus aloe vera – yuzu 1,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal Plus apelsin – passion 0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal Plus apelsin – passion 1,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal Plus goji – jõhvikas 0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Naturaal Plus goji – jõhvikas 0,5 L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Vurtsvasser pear
1L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Vurtsvasser apple
1L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Vurtsvasser Rabarberi-Vaarika 1L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Värska Vurtsvasser Mustsõstar 1L
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Energy Well yuzu-sidrun 568 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Energy Well goji-granaatõun 568 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Energy Well ananass-yuzu 568 ML
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, PNG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Tehas
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Pildi nimi
3200 x 6000 px, 3.8 MB, JPG
Värska Original
Värska negatiivis
Energy Well
Energy Well negatiivis
Take a second to enjoy our beautiful advertisements!
Juba 40 aastat Värskat!
Legendaarne, unikaalne, mineraalne, ainulaadne, originaalne..
Uuri lähemalt Kampaania on lõppenud
Uus Värska Naturaal Plus
Maitsevesi looduslikust mineraalveest koos kasulike vitamiinidega.
Uuri lähemalt Kampaania on lõppenud
Uus Värska Vurtsvasser õunamahlaga!
Värska Vurtsvasser on maitsev ja värskendav janukustutaja, milles on segatud naturaalne mahl ning Setomaalt Natura kaitsealalt ammutatud Värska looduslik mineraalvesi.
Uuri lähemalt Kampaania on lõppenud
Aluseline vesi teeb kehale head!
Värska Originaal Aluseline on maitsev ja kasulik mineraalvesi, mis on maapõues miljonite aastate jooksul omandanud kivimitest vajalikke mineraale – seda naturaalsel moel ja inimorganismile just parajal määral.
Uuri lähemalt Kampaania on lõppenud
What the well? Energy Well!
Energy Well on igapäevane hea energia allikas, kus on tasakaalus looduslikud mineraalid ja kasulikud vitamiinid. Energy Well on positiivne alternatiiv kõrge suhkrusisaldusega karastusjookidele. Be well!
Uuri lähemalt Kampaania on lõppenud
Värska Naturaal uues kuues
Tuttav vesi uues uues pakendis. Uuendasime toote värvuse kergeks heleroheliseks ja lisame käepärasema korgi.
Uuri lähemalt Kampaania on lõppenudWe are responsible: we act in an environmentally sustainable manner, protect the community, and support young athletes.
Producing food and beverages inevitably means using the natural environment; at this time, it is unthinkable to do otherwise. The cleaner the environment, the easier it is to produce a clean product that customers like. Therefore, AS Värska Originaal has set the goal of minimizing the footprint of the entire company’s activities, contributing to a cleaner environment.
In April 2020, we became the first Estonian beverage manufacturer to introduce bottles made with recycled plastic. Currently, we use these bottles (made of 20% recycled plastic, or rPET material) for bottling one-liter Värska Originaal. Värska plans to gradually switch to fully recycled plastic bottles over the course of ten years. The percentage will depend on technological possibilities and the availability of raw materials. Using recycled plastic is more expensive for the company, but it is also many times more environmentally friendly. To help consumers identify the bottle, we marked it with a green leaf indicating the percentage of recycled plastic.
Urmas Jõgeva explained that the CO2 footprint created by rPET packaging is 79% smaller than that of primary raw materials. In 2020, when this step was taken, the production volume of one-liter bottles was 2 million per year, resulting in 14 tons of recycled plastic.
Urmas Jõgeva selgitas, et rPET-pakendi kasutamisel tekkiv CO2-jalajälg on 79% väiksem kui esmast toormaterjali kasutades. Aastal 2020, kui see samm tehti, oli üheliitriste pudelite tootmismaht 2 miljonit pudelit aastas, mis tähendab seega 14 tonni taaskasutatud plasti.
In May 2021, we completely switched our company’s production to green energy.
In our factory, we use solar energy produced by our own solar panels. Our 336 panels (with a capacity of 100 kW) provide about 5% of our energy needs.
Minimizing the company’s ecological footprint is part of our vision and goals to be implemented in the coming years.
Just as Värska is synonymous with mineral water for many Estonians, the production of mineral water in the township is self-evident for many residents of Värska. Although some changes have occurred in the company’s name and ownership over the past five decades, the mineral water bottling plant has been located in the same place throughout its 50 years.
There are many examples of how our company helps to advance the Värska community with a sense of mission. Raul Kudre, the mayor of the municipality, highlights how the company built the water and sewer line. “This water is also used by the Värska Farm Museum,” he specified.
Piret Jõgeva has also noted how the company helps keep the community together and functioning through its activities. In a broader sense, we contribute to its development by maintaining buildings. Since 2018, the company has been involved in the development of the “Põhjalaager” area.
In order to receive, you must always give back. AS Värska Originaal is able to extract valuable pure mineral water from the ground, and in return we employ many people. However, the company’s desire to give back to society extends beyond that.
We highly value the maintenance of important community projects and support Estonian sports, culture, and youth. We have supported local cultural events, including song and dance festivals and theater activities.
and through products. “We give out quite a lot of Urmas Jõgeva clarified that the company has offered sponsorship both financially products; for example, when the U20 and U23 World Athletics Championships were held in Estonia, we had previously agreed to supply 20,000 bottles. But the weather was hot, and the organizers called on the second day, saying they had miscalculated and asking if we had more water to give them.”
U20 and 23 World Cup
By supporting young, successful, and talented athletes, we aim to help Estonian athletes excel on the world stage. For example, we have supported basketball, volleyball, handball, football, orienteering, and athletics.
has grown into an international company with strong management – similarly, the orienteering club has evolved into a sports organization that is already competing for medals on the international stage. AS Värska Originaal stands out for its management, which includes highly skilled sports experts who understand the needs of athletes and align them with the company’s image. In addition to this shared image, the company and club members uphold common values: respect for nature, mutual growth, and water sourced from pristine nature, containing all-natural minerals.
preparatory tasks at the base and conducting mission-specific training. We sent mineral water to the soldiers deployed to the mission area.
- Junior World Championships in Orienteering, July 6–13, 2023, in Põlva
- Student World Championships in Orienteering, July 28 to August 2, 2008, in Tartu
- Junior and Veteran World Championships and European Youth Championships in Ski Orienteering, February 18–24, 2014, in Põlva
- Orienteering World Championships, June 30 to July 7, 2017, in Tartu