site.btaDomaine Trifonov: Traditional Winemaker Eyes Innovation with Alcohol-Free Options and Schorle

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.

Domaine Trifonov Winery is considering launching alcohol-free wine and the German drink Schorle, owner Slavi Trifonov said on Thursday. Trifonov noted these innovations come as global wine consumption continues to decline.

According to Trifonov, the wine sector in Bulgaria needs a strong marketing programme, robust representation, and significant support. He added that one important aspect that deserves greater attention is the use of traditional winemaking methods.

"I support the traditional methods of wine production and believe they should be encouraged. I do not favor Australian technologies or digitalization. I remain committed to the classic approach and believe it should be promoted. All our processes are traditional, without digitalization or modernization," Trifonov said.

Domaine Trifonov Winery was established in 2008 in the village of Pesnopoy, Kaloyanovo Municipality in Southern Bulgaria. It is located at the foot of Chukurli Bair Peak next to a pine forest, part of which extends into the winery’s grounds. The winery specialises in small batches of high-quality wines and was certified for organic production in 2017.

The yield of red grapes from Trifonov's own vineyard was not strong this year, the owner noted. “The quality is very good, but the harvest is about 30% of the normal volume and this is the case across almost the entire country,” Trifonov said. He explained that one cause originated at the early stage of vine pollination, and the other was due to weather conditions. With this year’s grape quantities, Trifonov expects to produce about two tonnes of Rubin, while Cabernet and Merlot will be blended into approximately five tonnes.

The winery manages 30 hectares of its own organic vineyards, which are located in Staro Selo, Sliven Region. White wines are produced from the varieties Gewürztraminer and Red Karlovo Misket. The winery is a pioneer in Bulgaria for making organic wines from chokeberry, raspberry, and cherry.

Domaine Trifonov Winery has a tasting room with 40 seats. Group tastings are organised in partnership with travel agencies from Plovdiv and Sofia and are led by the winery manager, Slavi Trifonov, who guides guests through the winemaking process. Trifonov also plans to participate in wine tours in the future.

The winery has taken part in both international and national wine competitions and won numerous awards, but most often participates in the Flora Burgas exhibition.