site.btaWinery in Kaynardzha Focuses on Local Bulgarian Varieties

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.

Kaynardzha Winery in the eponymous village of Silistra Region has refocused its production on wines made from Bulgarian grape varieties typical of the area, co-founder of the Pink Pelican brand, Boyan Boev, said on Thursday. Pink pelican is among the leading products offered by the winery.

Boev asserts that the wine industry should produce wines from grape varieties cultivated locally to create a unique identity. Tamianka, a variety typical of the Danube Plain, is recognized for its pronounced aroma.

“We use Pamid, which is widespread nationwide. Since last year, we have also started working with Dimyat, a typical Bulgarian grape, common in the Northern Black Sea region. In our area it was once known as Semendra, as it still is in Romania. The qualities of this variety have impressed us, and we believe that we should focus on what is unique to our region,” Boev said.

Kaynardzha Winery is also proud of its Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, established in 1968 by Japanese specialists with planting material from France, and still productive today. The site was chosen after thorough climate research and soil analysis.

Recent years have been tough for producers due to climate anomalies and poor harvests. Yields dropped by over 50% this year due to freezing temperatures in April, compared with previous years. Nevertheless, Boev recalled that some of the most outstanding wines have been produced in years with weak harvests.

“We have varieties yielding around 50 kg per hectare, compared to up to 600 kg in typical years. While grape quality remains excellent, quantities are inadequate. This situation may result in distinctive blends. Blending different varieties or combining current harvests with grapes from previous years to produce non-vintage wines is becoming more common in Europe as a response to changing weather conditions. The outcome is a unique and appealing product for both consumers and connoisseurs,” Boev said.

Boev said that Kaynardzha Winery intends to increase its investment in wine tourism. The team aims to provide a complete experience that delights visitors. They host themed tastings and outdoor dinners in the scenic countryside and have plans to develop accommodation and a restaurant on site.

Kaynardzha Winery was founded in 2001 on the historic site where the Treaty of Kucuk Kaynarca was signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in 1774.

Over its nearly 25-year history, the winery has earned more than 30 international awards, including a silver medal at the Frankfurt exhibition and a bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Most wines are distributed within the domestic market, available in specialist shops and premium restaurants.