site.btaBogdaya: Every Grape Counts in a Winery Built on Quality

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.

Ivan Stankov, owner of Bogdaya Winery, said on Saturday that the winery prioritizes quality over quantity in vine growing and wine production.

The winery produces between 20 and 25 tonnes of wine per year. Stankov reported that the new harvest is of excellent quality, and both yield and characteristics meet expectations, with prospects for producing exceptional wines. He does not intend to experiment with unconventional styles, preferring to focus on classic white, red, and rose wines. Bogdaya Winery offers both oak-aged and unoaked wines. Only Pinot Noir is used for the rose and for Blanc de Noirs, a white wine made from red grapes. Stankov comes from a family of winemakers.

The winery operates its own 10-hectare vineyard in Smochevo, Rila Municipality. The cultivated varieties are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir, and Tamyanka. The vines were planted in 2016, and the first limited production of wine took place in 2020.

Stankov identifies the quality of grapes, specifically their technological ripeness and mechanical integrity, as the key factor in producing high-quality wine. For white wine production, he notes the critical need to prevent oxidation, which starts immediately after grape crushing and can diminish the wine’s aromatic profile and overall quality. At Bogdaya Winery, grapes are processed in an inert environment to maximize aroma preservation. Stankov also uses bio and organic products derived from yeast lees to promote biological stability in the wines, allowing for minimal sulphite addition.

"Because we own our vineyards, we control all aspects of vineyard management and choose the optimal time for harvest. With low yields, about 500 kg per hectare, we achieve higher grape quality, which directly improves the wine’s taste and overall quality," Stankov said. He explained that, unlike larger producers, the winery cannot produce large volumes and instead focuses on quality to remain competitive. For this reason, Bogdaya Winery produces only one class of wine.

Stankov believes Bulgarian wine matches the quality of imported wines, but the State has not prioritized its promotion. As a result, Bulgaria does not share the international reputation for wine production enjoyed by Italy, France, and Spain. He points out that Bulgaria has strong traditions and institutions in viticulture and winemaking, but increased State support is necessary for Bulgarian wines to gain wider recognition.

Bogdaya Winery is currently equipped with presses, chillers, filters, pumps, and all necessary equipment for producing quality wine. However, Stankov noted that market access is still a challenge, as retail chains impose product fees and wine imports remain high. He also mentioned that there are over 400 registered wineries in Bulgaria, along with a significant grey sector.