site.btaDiVes Estate: A Hundred Awards at Decanter World Wine Awards

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.

“We are proud to share that DiVes Estate Winery has once again received prestigious recognition, reaching a milestone 100 awards for our wines,” said Vasilena Rangelova, Marketing Manager at DiVes Estate, in a statement to BTA.

Since 2012, the winery's labels have won not only medals, but also top positions at the most significant wine events in Bulgaria.

The 100th award came from the 2025 edition of the Decanter World Wine Awards, where Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique Limited Edition 2021, the winery’s newest red wine blend, received a silver medal. The same wine has also earned a silver medal at Vinaria 2025 and a gold medal at MUNDUS VINI 2025, Rangelova added.

Two other DiVes Estate wines, Merlot Barrique 2020 Special Selection and Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Aged in Oak Barrels, won gold medals at the prestigious Vinaria 2024 competition in Plovdiv. This long-standing event is one of Bulgaria’s most respected wine contests, attracting both producers and enthusiasts. The medals were awarded by an expert jury and presented personally by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Spasov, Vice-Rector of the University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv, on February 21, 2025.

In the DiVino TOP 50 ranking for 2023, listing the 50 best Bulgarian wines, DiVes Estate wines claimed top positions, including Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Barrique 2019 Grand Reserve, winner of a silver medal at MUNDUS VINI 2023 and a gold medal at Vinaria 2023 and Sweet Muscat, named among the best wines in Bulgaria, awarded at the Toplocentrala Ceremony in Sofia on February 24, 2024

The Sweet Muscat also took home the title of Best Dessert Wine of 2023, in addition to winning a gold medal at Vinaria 2023. The award was presented by Krasimira Kodukova, founder of Wine Tour Maker, with over 10 years of experience in wine tourism.

DiVes Estate's success has transcended Bulgaria’s borders since the winery’s founding and its very first vintages. In 2023 alone, the winery was awarded a total of nine medals, including 1 gold and 2 silver medals at MUNDUS VINI, 1 silver medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards, 2 gold medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, 1 silver medal at the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon and 2 gold medals at Vinaria.

“These awards not only confirm our commitment to quality but also motivate us to continue creating wines of exceptional character that meet the high standards of our clients and wine enthusiasts. Every recognition inspires the DiVes team to pour even more love and dedication into the winemaking process,” said Rangelova.

The team at DiVes Estate Winery takes pride not only in its 100 international medals and awards from the world’s most prestigious wine competitions, but also in the countless glowing reviews from visitors, which remain the winery’s most valued form of recognition.

This summer season, DiVes Estate welcomed wine lovers from around the world,  including the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Israel, the United States, Australia, Kenya, Vietnam, Iceland, and many others.

DiVes Estate is open year-round for visits, but summer along the Black Sea coast is the perfect time to explore all it has to offer. The winery features three unique visitor tours.

Situated on the historic Simeonova Mound, the winery is located on the site of the legendary Battle of Achelous, fought on August 20, 917 AD under Tsar Simeon I of Bulgaria. Guided by a knowledgeable tour leader, visitors explore the battle’s legacy and the nearby "Eye of the Victor" monument.

Developed over the course of nearly 10 years, this wine tour has become an established destination for wine tourism in the Nessebar and Sunny Beach region. The experience offers insight into winemaking practices and includes guided wine evaluation training combined with carefully selected food pairings, following the Food & Wine Pairing concept.

The winery owns its own vineyards, where five grape varieties are cultivated: Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Pamid, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

DiVes Estate is equipped with a state-of-the-art bottling line, which bottles the wine in an anaerobic environment, ensuring the highest quality. This is supported by a skilled team of technologists and winemaking technicians. The wines are aged in premium French and Bulgarian oak barrels, with the team demonstrating 100% commitment to every detail, crafting each wine with great care and passion.

From May to September, tastings are held daily in four languages: Bulgarian, English, German, and Russian. From October to April, wine tastings and tours are available during weekday working hours (Monday to Friday) in Bulgarian and English, by prior reservation.