Revived Gergana Grape Brings Global Ambitions to Tsarev Brod Winery

BTA Correspondent Stanimir Savov, Kaloyan Kirilov

Interior view of the Tsarev Brod winery in the village of Tsarev Brod, Shumen Municipality, September 23, 2025 (BTA Photo/Stanimir Savov)

Tsarev Brod, North Eastern Bulgaria,

23.09.2025 12:30

(BTA)

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BG WINE

BTA will present dozens of Bulgarian wineries in the New BG WINE Leads the Way series ahead of the 9th UN Global Conference on Wine Tourism, which will be hosted in Plovdiv. The forum is organized by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with the UN World Tourism Organization.

The owners of a winery in the village of Tsarev Brod near Shumen have revived the nearly extinct Bulgarian white grape variety Gergana, they reported to BTA on Tuesday.

They said their efforts helped reintroduce the variety, arguing that native grapes are key to putting Bulgaria on the world wine map.

Ivan Ivanov and Svetla Ivanova started cultivating vineyards near Tsarev Brod in 2001. Encouraged by the quality of their harvests, they established a winery in 2015 close to the vineyards, allowing for immediate processing of freshly picked grapes.

“The 20-year-old vineyards and freshly pressed juice are the foundation for producing world-class wines,” said the winery’s oenologist, Nikolay Krastev.

Krastev noted that eight grape varieties grow well in Tsarev Brod’s climate, and the winery currently produces about 20 different wines, including some unfiltered options. Gergana, however, has yielded the most successful results.

“The variety is both versatile and technical. We now offer three styles: a naturally sparkling reserva, an aromatic dry white, and a dessert wine produced from frozen grapes," Krastev said.

In 2026, they will expand the existing 36-hectare vineyard by planting two indigenous grape varieties: the red Evmolpia and the white Gergana. These are the estate’s most anticipated wines each year.

The winery participates in leading wine exhibitions and competitions, including the DiVino Top 50 ranking for Bulgarian wines. In the latest edition, it received two awards: best white wine and best dessert wine. “We also welcome visitors to the winery with weekly tours,” Krastev said. Many guests visit out of curiosity, and the team aims to present their winemaking approach clearly and accessibly.

For the past five years, the winery has participated in a tourism association for wineries in Northeast Bulgaria, collaborating on events such as Open Doors Days. The winery is also a member of the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals, which established a national wine holiday on October 26, St. Demetrius Day. Each year on this date, the winery hosts an evening in Pliska to present its local wines.

According to Krastev, the entire Northeast and Ludogorie regions experienced a cold spring this year, with frost damaging the vines. This was followed by a dry summer, which significantly reduced the grape harvest. So far, 70% of the grape harvest has been completed. The grape juices show good concentration and quality, and wines are expected to be flavourful, aromatic, and fresh.

/PP/