Stivi Estate: Boutique Winery Expands Vineyards and Crafts Unique Varietals Including Orange and Naturally Sparkling Wines

BTA correspondent Nikolay Venkov

The tasting room of the Stivi Estate boutique family winery in Momin sbor village (BTA Photo)

Veliko Tarnovo, North Central Bulgaria,

26.09.2025 18:43

(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 Stivi Estate boutique family winery, located in the Veliko Tarnovo village of Momin Sbor, has begun developing its own vineyards, oenologist Stanimir Stoyanov told BTA. This year, the estate planted its first vines, focusing mainly on white grape varieties, particularly Vermentino. Another plot is being prepared where, in spring, the Italian red variety Primitivo will be established, founder and owner Plamen Spasov of Veliko Tarnovo added.

Among the winery’s most intriguing projects are an orange wine made from white grapes vinified using red-wine techniques, and a naturally sparkling wine. “We are also offering a white wine made from red grapes. It is produced from the Marselan variety and is available in limited quantities,” Spasov explained. This year, for the first time, the estate will work with varieties that are rare in Bulgaria, such as Ribolla Gialla and Moscato Giallo. Deliveries of Petit Verdot are also expected. Additionally, the winery will produce its first-ever wines from Malvasia and Vermentino.

Founded in 2022 by the Spasov family, Stivi Estate currently produces between 15,000 and 20,000 bottles annually. Its wines are crafted in small series from a mix of international and Bulgarian grape varieties, sourced from growers. The international line-up includes Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Marselan. The winery continues to expand its portfolio, and production this year will cover nearly 15 different grape varieties. All wines are marketed exclusively within Bulgaria.

Despite its short history, the winery has already earned recognition: two gold medals for its white wines at the international Vinaria competition, a silver medal for rosé at this year’s contest in Kazanlak, and three silver medals at a Balkan wine competition in Greece.

The Momin Sbor winery combines modern technological equipment with traditional methods to craft wines. Special rooms with Bulgarian and French oak barrels provide ideal conditions for maturation, while Burgundy-sourced casks made from untoasted wood are dedicated to white wine aging. Among the unique vessels on site are clay qvevri imported from France, echoing ancient winemaking traditions.

Stivi Estate attracts both individual wine enthusiasts and organized groups from across Bulgaria and abroad, with a growing number of recent visitors arriving from Ukraine.

/DD/