site.btaSintica: A Winner at Brussels Competition Planning Modern Vineyard Irrigation

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.

Sintica winery won an award at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and its history dates back to 1951, when a comprehensive experimental station under the Ministry of Agriculture was established. Co-owner Ivan Gizdavkov explained that the winery’s aim was to introduce new grape varieties from abroad for selection and develop new varieties suited to Bulgaria’s terroir and climate. 

Some of the finest Bulgarian grape varieties were created in the region, including Sandanski Misket, Melnik Ruby, Melnik 82, and Melnik 1300. According to Gizdavkov, the crown jewel is Melnik 55, developed from the Broad-leaved Melnik vine, cultivated in the region for millennia, and French varieties.

In 2003, the experimental station was acquired by the Privatisation Agency and transformed into a renovated complex through European programmes. Modern technology was used to revive the existing winery, which, over the years, in addition to developing new varieties, produced experimental wines presented at numerous exhibitions, winning multiple awards and certificates. In 2007, the winery underwent a technological renovation through European programmes, including the purchase of new equipment. The first vintage from the renovated winery was produced in 2008. Since then, Sintica has won numerous international awards, including four Golden Rhytons and countless gold medals from various competitions, as well as recognition from the French magazine Elle, Gizdavkov said.

Currently, Sintica winery owns 20 hectares of vineyards, located in an exceptionally favourable region along the Struma River Valley, near the Rupite area, and the ancient Thracian city of Heraclea Sintica.

According to Gizdavkov, harvests over the past seven to eight years have been poor, due to early picking caused by drought and prolonged summer temperatures above 35°C. Dry years follow one another, and rainfall is irregular compared with previous decades, affecting grape quality. “Wine is made from grape juice, but the yield is low because the fruits are not juicy enough. It is extremely important to implement drip irrigation,” he said.

He added that the lack of rainfall and prolonged heat disrupt the balance between sugars and acids, forcing grapes to ripen unnaturally. Sintica exports wine, though in limited quantities, achieving good prices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. The winery has plans to expand international sales and has secured funds under two European programmes. One involves modern drip irrigation and new tanks to address water shortages. New equipment, including some machines, barrels, and filters, is also planned, Gizdavkov concluded.