site.btaOpreff Winery: Focus on Wines from Traditional Regional 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.

Opreff Winery, located in the village of Dobrotitsa in the Danubian Plain, is focusing on wines from Bulgarian grape varieties typical of the region. Manager Gergana Georgieva told BTA that certain grapes thrive particularly well in the area because of the unique combination of soil, climate and local conditions, giving the wines distinctive regional character.

This year, the winery is working with Traminer, Chardonnay, Misket, Cabernet Sauvignon and Evmolpia. The latter, a cross between Mavrud and Merlot created by Prof. Dimitar Babrikov, remains little known in Bulgaria. "Very few wineries are using Evmolpia. "The idea is to see how Mavrud could adapt here. It produces lighter wines and excellent rosés," Georgieva explained. She also highlighted Red Misket, a traditional Bulgarian variety cultivated in the region for centuries. "It was once compromised by mass production of low-quality wines, but we have revived it. This year it has been the most fruitful," she said.

Despite climate challenges and lower yields due to April frosts, Georgieva noted that some of the best wines come from difficult years - a positive sign for wine lovers, of whom there are many in Bulgaria. She added that wine culture in Bulgaria is deepening, with more knowledgeable consumers, especially women, who increasingly prefer lighter, lower-alcohol wines that pair well with diverse foods.

Beyond wine-making, Opreff Winery invests in wine tourism. Since 2014, it has operated a guesthouse offering themed tastings and art events. The courtyard hosts a monument to US President Woodrow Wilson, honouring his role in blocking a post-World War I plan to split Bulgaria into three and strip it of independence. The winery also promotes wine routes across Northeastern Bulgaria, combining local history, eco-trails, and natural landmarks. Guests can visit one of the region's oldest churches, admire scenic forests and rock formations, and in May, see a rare wild red peony bloom nearby.

Founded in 2006, Opreff Winery has earned a reputation for pure varietal wines. Its philosophy is that quality begins in the vineyard: estate-grown grapes provide full control from raw fruit to finished product. Equipped with its own laboratory, the winery maintains high production standards.