Cherganovo Winery: The Challenge and Success of Reviving the Rare Gamza Grape near Kazanlak

Ralitsa Stefanova, Filip Pavlov

Cherganovo Winery near Kazanlak (BTA Photo/Ralitsa Stefanova)

Kazanlak, Central Bulgaria,

18.09.2025 14:52

(BTA)

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BG WINE

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.

The Cherganovo Winery near Kazanlak offers wine from the old Bulgarian variety Gamza, which is uncharacteristic for the region, Founder Daniel Velikov told BTA. He noted that the variety is currently grown in Vidin Region and the areas of Pavlikeni and Suhindol, but has gradually fallen out of mass production, as it is difficult to grow and requires a lot of knowledge.

"The Gamza variety has a characteristic taste, but only professional winegrowers can grow it," he emphasized, adding that the grapes of this variety have a very thin skin that easily cracks in rainy autumn. He pointed out that the area near Kazanlak is suitable for its cultivation, and the variety gives very good results.

Cherganovo Winery, founded in 2016, is a small family company, which offers Syrah, Rubin, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Velikov said. The winery has the necessary equipment for a small wine producer, as well as a tasting room for small groups of tourists. "We also have an approved project to build a larger base with tasting and underground cellars, but for now these are just plans and it is not known when they will be implemented," he added.

On the market, the winery is known for the brands Tcherganovo and Trake. "Trake is the mother of the first Thracian ruler Dolong, who united the different tribes and named them after his mother - Thracians," Velikov recalled.

The harvest in 2025 is good, he commented, noting that the vineyards are always exceptionally well maintained and that the production is environmentally friendly, with few and completely harmless pesticides being used.

/DS/