Wine tours are not as popular in Bulgaria as they are in France, Italy, and Spain but foreign guests are naturally attracted to Bulgarian wines, which have exceptional qualities. That is why wine tours organized in this country are aimed mostly at tourists coming from western countries with long traditions of wine making.

© Photo: Veneta Nikolova

Wine festivals are launched for tourists during grape picking time

The path of wine takes us back to the ancient past when Thracians inhabited the Bulgarian lands. Thracians were masters of vine-growing and wine production. They used wine extensively in worshiping Dionysus. Wine has been part of Bulgarian traditions for centuries now and today more and more wineries organize tours for the curious visitors. According to experts, one of the advantages of Bulgaria as a wine destination is the great variety of wines produced in the country. Based on climate and soil Bulgaria can be divided into 5 distinctive-growing regions. We met with Maria Yordanova –chairperson of the Bulgarian Association of Sommeliers who told us more about the most attractive vine-growing regions for tourists.

“During the past years the focus moved towards central and southern Bulgaria. A number of wineries opened in these regions and many of them give tourists the opportunity for a tour and for tasting the wines. The greatest number of wineries is near the cities of Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Sliven, where wine production has also attracted foreign investments. Some hotels on the Black Sea and in mountain resorts have already started to offer wine tours to their guests.”

© Photo: Veneta Nikolova

In order one to discover the great variety of Bulgarian wines, they should spend some time visiting the most popular wineries, some of which even have guest houses. Wine and history go hand in hand in Bulgaria, Maria Yordanova says and adds that most of the tourists who go for the wine tours are also interested in history, customs, and traditions. 

Tourists could combine visiting wineries near the village of Starosel with a tour to the Chetinyova Mogila Thracian tomb dating back to the 5th century BC. Near the unique archaeological site of Perperikon, one also could find local wineries.

© Photo: Veneta Nikolova

A typical Bulgarian winery estate in the Sredna Gora mountain

Wine tourism in Bulgaria can easily be combined with visiting historical and cultural sites due to their great number. Local festivals and celebrations should not be missed too, as many of them are dedicated to wine.

English version: Alexander Markov