site.btaOriachovitza Winery Experiments with New Wine Styles in Push for Innovation

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.

Oriachovitza winery is working on oenological experiments to develop a new wine style and expand its product range. Mariana Kyuchukova, oenologist and chief technologist of the winery, explained that the process of developing the final product is lengthy, but the project is underway and will be presented soon. 

"We will focus on carefully selected harvests and will not rely on quantity, but on quality and innovation. The market is globally difficult, and in Bulgaria, due to the lack of wine culture, this is felt even more strongly. It is necessary to develop the region as a tourist destination, with wine tours and tastings. For this purpose, we are already building a special tasting room. We must maintain consistent quality and strive to always have something new and different, so as not to bore customers, while at the same time upgrading what they already know," said Kyuchukova.

The history of Oriachovitza winery dates back to 1936. The winery region has a protected designation of origin, which guarantees that the wines possess specific qualities and characteristics determined by geographical location and unique natural factors, explained the chief technologist.

She added that currently the winery manages 37 hectares of its own vineyards, 32 of which are in the land of Oryahovitsa village on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora mountain, at an altitude of 170 to 260 metres. Among the main red varieties traditionally cultivated are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The local Merlot gives soft wines with aromas of ripe fruit, while Cabernet Sauvignon stands out with a more intense colour, firm tannins and high potential for ageing.

The Rubin variety, a Bulgarian hybrid between Nebbiolo and Syrah, is also highlighted, characterized by deep colour and aromas of forest fruits, spices and violets, and considered a symbol of national identity. The winery also grows Mavrud, Syrah and other varieties used in a significant part of the rose wines. Among the white wines, Aligote stands out, which is a rare variety for Bulgaria, but yielding excellent results in the Oryahovitsa area.

Part of the vineyards are located in the land of Shanovo village near Kazanlak, where sandy soils provide ideal conditions for white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. "We are primarily a red wine region, but we also experiment with white varieties, because we believe that diversity is part of our strength," noted Kyuchukova.

The winery combines tradition and innovation, from classical stainless steel vessels and oak barrels to innovative Wine Globe glass vessels, developed in France and rarely seen in Bulgaria. They are used for fermentation and even long ageing of some of the more special wines. The glass structure is completely impermeable, ensuring better oxidation control and developing a clean neutral profile of the drink. It is in these vessels that the limited series Unusual is created, high-class wines intended for connoisseurs, explained the oenologist.

Other established lines of the winery include Gaetan with single-varietal and blended wines, Rubin (vintage 2023), as well as the blend Cuvee of Merlot and Cabernet Franc (vintage 2022). Of particular note is the Small Talk series, created for roses, which has already been awarded a prize for brand identity at Rose Wine Expo.

Work in the vineyards and winery has faced significant challenges and difficulties in recent years, with climate changes, water stress, frost and hail often affecting the harvest. Producers have to adapt and strive to gain the maximum each year, without room for error. "Times are not easy, but the love for wine keeps us going," emphasised oenologist Mariana Kyuchukova.