site.btaNatural Wines Are Gabrovski Winery's Calling Card

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.

Natural wines, which are similar to homemade wine, are the calling card of Gabrovski Winery in Svishtov, Milena Gabrovska, who co-owns the winery with her husband, Ilian Gabrovski, told the Bulgarian News Agency. Ilian comes from a long-established family of vine growers and winemakers, known throughout the Svishtov region for producing vine planting material. He is a graduate of the viticulture and enology school in Pleven. Their daughter Yoana is also involved in the family business, currently studying international wine business in Austria.

“We focus on quality and preserving the natural taste of the wine. This is one of our main strengths,” Gabrovska added.

Established in 1998, Gabrovski Winery now cultivates ten hectares of its own vineyards and produces around 30 tonnes of wine annually, depending on the harvest, she noted. 

The varietals include Muscat Ottonel, Kaylashki Misket, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mavrud. A rose blend is made from several varieties. The winery's most popular and in-demand label is Muscat Ottonel.

“The new harvest is of better quality, though the quantity is lower. This year the grapes are healthier and larger grapes,” Gabrovska noted. The winery plans to expand its product line with fruit wines made from strawberries, raspberries, and cherries - flavors they say appeal especially to younger wine drinkers.

The winery is also investing in modern equipment, including a new Italian-made fermenter for wine storage. “We take part in competitions, exhibitions, and farmers' markets, and next year, we are considering visiting trade shows in Germany,” Gabrovska said.

Gabrovski Winery has a tasting room, the only one of its kind in the area. Located in the basement of the company’s store in Svishtov, the room offers wine tastings. It also serves as a cellar where vintage bottles are stored for aging. The tables and chairs are crafted from the winery’s first oak barrels.

The winery has developed Bulgaria’s first vending machines for bulk wine, one of which is stored in the cellar. The idea was to offer customers faster and more convenient access to wine.