site.btaNew Vineyards Near Arbanasi Prepares First Harvest

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 New Vineyards wine tourism complex near the village of Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo Region, is expecting its first harvest, the complex's owner, Stanimir Stoyanov, told BTA. This year marks the first fruiting of the vineyard, and the wine will soon be launched on the market. The plan includes several single-variety wines, using local grape varieties such as Gamza and Kaylashki Misket, as well as blends of Bulgarian and international grapes.

The project was launched in 2021. According to Stoyanov, the vineyards are located on an interesting terrain suitable for viticulture. "Arbanasi is not only a cultural and historical village linked to tourism, but also has a favorable climate for vineyards," he said, adding that the biggest surprise was that the area itself is called The New Vineyards. Research showed that vineyards had existed there in the past, giving added inspiration for the new project.

The vineyards cover a total area of 3.7 ha and include well-known international varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay, alongside Bulgarian varieties typical of the region, including Gamza, Rubin, and Kaylashki Misket.

The location offers good opportunities for wine tourism in a natural setting. Visitors can taste wines and enjoy food and beverages, and group events with live music are organized on request. So far, visitors are mainly Bulgarian tourists. Starting next year, they will also be able to sample wines made from the first harvest of the new vineyards, initially produced in local wineries.