site.btaBetter Half Garage Wines: Investing in New Clay Vessels and Vineyard Expansion

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.

Better Half Garage Wines invests in new clay vessels from Italy, Spain and Georgia, sustainable vineyard practices and vineyard expansion, according to Stefan Dalakov, the winery's commercial and marketing director.

The winery works with over 20 grape varieties, including international types like Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec, Carmenere, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Bulgarian varieties such as Mavrud, Misket and Colombard. Dalakov highlighted that the winery stands out for its limited series, between 300 and 2,000 bottles, and its revival of ancient techniques, including vinification and aging in amphorae, qvevri, pithoi and other clay vessels. The volcanic soils around Betera Peak in Zmeyovo impart distinctive minerality and freshness to the wines.

Limited series wines are designed to tell the stories of their terroir. Dalakov cited examples such as Dalakov 4 Miskets, a modern take on Misket made from four variations of the grape, offering floral expression and elegant freshness; Dalakov&sons Colombard, notable for its unusual grape variety in Bulgaria and bright, fresh, mineral style, shaped by clay vinification and volcanic terroir; and Dalakov Amphora Wines, fully vinified in clay vessels, evoking the ancient Thracian tradition.

Dalakov described the 2024 vintage as exceptionally balanced, with wines showing strong aging potential and a clearly expressed varietal character. Better Half Garage Wines plans to participate in both Bulgarian and international events, including DiVino.Taste and prestigious European competitions, showcasing Bulgarian wine on a global stage.

In addition to limited-series wines, the winery offers tastings and wine dinners at its boutique hotel, Villa Yana, also located in Zmeyovo. Visitors can pair wines with local cuisine and farm products for a complete gastronomic experience.

Dalakov also stressed the village's unique wine tourism tradition, the Festival of Pelin, celebrating the local wormwood (Pelin) wine made from over 20 herbs. Each family has its own recipe, and the festival gathers locals and visitors every autumn. The tradition symbolizes the connection between wine, nature and regional culture.

The winery is a family project of one of Bulgaria's most recognizable winemakers, Nikolay Dalakov. Founded in 2007 with the first vineyards in Zmeyovo, it expanded a year later with 12 hectares in the village of Dalboki, Stara Zagora Region. The south-facing vineyards sit at 516 metres above sea level in an area with significant day-night temperature variation, ideal for producing expressive, high-quality wines.