site.btaBorovitza Winery Celebrates 2025 Harvest with Exceptional Gamay Noir

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 Borovitza Winery, Northwestern Bulgaria, has placed a special emphasis on the harvest of the perfectly ripened Gamay Noir, as the winery celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025.

In summer, Borovitza turned the spotlight on a complex and captivating white wine The Guardians MRV. “French varieties Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier are not only the “guardians” of one of the most beautiful wine styles, but they also come from our very own vineyard “The Guardians”, nestled among the red soils near Belogradchik. When these three grapes are blended, something truly special is born,” the winery team, led by oenologist Adriana Srebrinova, says. The idea was inspired by a French consultant invited to Borovitza. The MRV wine is aged in both new and old oak barrels, capturing the soul of the local terroir.

Another standout wine from Borovitza is their Fume Blanc, which Adriana Srebrinova describes as one of the wines that defines the winery. “Wine lovers know that Fume is used for Sauvignon Blanc aged in oak barrels. Our Fume Blanc is only gently touched by oak, resulting in an elegant, aromatic, and balanced wine,” she explains.

In March, the Borovitza Winery was once again represented at the international wine fair ProWein in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Once again, the DiVino.taste exhibit and divino.bg ranked Borovitza’s wine Bel Muzh among the top 50 Bulgarian wines.

According to Srebrinova, the Borovitza Winery has attracted the attention of the world’s leading wine experts from the very beginning. “Eight Masters of Wine have visited the winery, they tasted directly from the barrels, opened bottles of their choosing, even harvested grapes with us. They observed our work for over a decade.”

She highlighted the immense potential and beauty of the region, adding that “to live up to the level of the region, we, as winemakers, must be worthy of it.”

She quoted Master of Wine Caroline Gilby, who once said during a visit she’d seen all of France from Vidin to Borovitza. Gilby added that if winemakers, wine journalists, or chateau owners from France were to visit, they would envy the locals, because this is a great place for vineyards.

A French consultant, who also works with two legendary wineries, Antinori and Chateau d’Yquem, was so moved by the landscape and soil that he kissed the ground, Srebrinova said. “This has shaped how I see this region. Though, born in Koprivshtitsa and raised in Plovdiv, I chose to stay here to show the potential of wine tourism, something I witnessed abroad, in regions where wine shapes the local identity.”

Srebrinova sees wine tourism as a central mission for Borovitza: “We want to attract people and show them the charm and value of this region.” However, she also highlights serious challenges, especially the lack of support for such an important endeavour.

“I’ve been traveling since 1981, and in 1983 I worked in Bordeaux. Every two years, we visited Bordeaux, as exhibitors, judges, and participants. We know how French, German, and Italian winemakers are organized. We are prepared to offer wine tourism of the highest standard.”

There are labour shortages. “We do everything ourselves. We don’t sleep during harvest. Grapes are drying out and dying on the vine because there’s no one to pick them. From 200 decares of vineyard, colleagues brought in only six tons today,” she said.

In an effort to support the region, Srebrinova organized seven winemakers and grape growers from the Vidin region into the Nortikum Association to help one another and promote the unique local terroir.

“I’ve been here for 24 years and have made countless attempts to build the wine tourism the region deserves. When someone who appreciates wine visits, they don’t want to leave. You can see they are overjoyed with this place and the wine. The more cultural events featuring regional wines we host, the more we shape society.”

Srebrinova adds that she works with people who have grown in their craft, in winemaking, wine service, and wine science. “This is a lifestyle and a culture. It’s easy to raise the level here because this is a wine-growing region with generations of tradition.”

She concludes by noting that in countries like France, local officials and national institutions fully understand the value of winemakers. “Abroad there’s no mayor, leader, or cultural figure who doesn’t recognize the role of winemaking. Wine brings wealth, culture, identity, and secures the future.”

The Borovitza Winery was founded by Ognyan Tsvetanov and Adriana Srebrinova, two of Bulgaria’s most respected winemakers. Tsvetanov passed away in early 2016, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable wines that changed the face of Bulgarian winemaking, as noted by DiVino.

The winery specializes in small batch wines with strong personality, each reflecting the distinctive terroir. Some series are limited to just 250–400 bottles. Key varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Gamza, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Borovitza also owns a vineyard near the Belogradchik Rocks, planted with Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Gamay, and Pinot Noir, growing in red, sandy-stony soil.

Among their highest-rated wines are the red blends Dux, Maxima, and Sensum.