site.btaChateau Burgozone: Wines Exported to 24 Countries Across Four Continents

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.

Chateau Burgozone wines are exported to 24 countries across four continents, owner Stefan Marinov told BTA. He said the winery's Collection wines series - Iris, Eva, Philippe and Thomas - is served in Michelin-starred restaurants. These wines are blends or local varieties made from the family's finest grapes, produced in limited quantities of 1,200 to 3,000 bottles. Grapes are hand-picked and carefully selected on an inspection line, with yields limited to up to five clusters per vine.

The four Collection wines are very special, marking the birth of the family's third generation and bearing the names of Marinov's grandchildren, he added. Chateau Burgozone is a family-run boutique winery in Northern Bulgaria, near the town of Oryahovo. It is named after the Roman fortress Burgozone, which stood in what is today's vineyard, according to Svetla Marinova.

The vineyard has long been known for producing some of the region's finest wines, Stefan Marinov said. The 100-hectare estate was planted with high-quality French stock and now grows 13 grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Tamyanka, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Marselan, Gamza, Egiodola and Pinot Meunier. Local varieties Tamyanka and Gamza were planted in 2016 after long-term selection with the Institute of Viticulture and Oenology in Pleven and a German laboratory to ensure top-quality stock.

Chateau Burgozone, opened in 2010, exports to over 20 countries and has won the Golden Cellar Award multiple times. Its own vineyards guarantee consistent grape quality, Marinov said, with the first export contract signed in 2011 with a major Belgian importer. In 2016, Chateau Burgozone, exporting to over 20 countries, was named Golden Winery of Bulgaria by the export-focused website exporter.bg. Since then, it has received the title three more times at a special event held under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy.

The winery has won over 150 medals at prestigious international competitions. All wines are made from its own vineyards and carry the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Dunavska Ravnina. A PGI label for wines means that at least 85% of the grapes have to come exclusively from the geographical area where the wine is actually made. Burgozone uses 100% estate-grown grapes, with each wine evaluated by a tasting commission to qualify for PGI status. The winery produces only dry wines and is the first and only in Bulgaria to make certified vegan wines under the Swiss V-Label, meaning no animal products such as egg white or collagen are used in production.

The winery's white wines mature on fine lees for several months to enhance aroma and aging potential. According to Marinov, the Burgozone style is fresh, fruity and elegant, a character shaped by the loess soils and the cooling influence of the Danube, which sharpens fruit expression through strong day-night temperature swings. The reds see only limited oak aging, allowing the fruit aromas to dominate. The loess soil, porous and rich in limestone with low clay content, adds finesse and minerality.

Burgozone's Chardonnay won Bulgaria's first Grand Gold for a white wine at the Brussels World Competition and has since earned six consecutive gold medals. Its Chardonnay Barrique is the only Bulgarian white rated 91 points by Wine Enthusiast. The family also produces Viognier, recognized by wine critic Oz Clarke as one of the world's top six in his book Grapes & Wines, with a mission to popularize the variety in Bulgaria.

The winery's Pinot Noir was ranked among the Top 6 wines under USD 30 in the United States and listed as one of Wine Enthusiast's 100 Best Buys of the Year. Burgozone also promotes Bulgarian varieties like Tamyanka and Gamza abroad, both awarded gold medals at France's Gilbert & Gaillard competition, said Svetla Marinova.

Burgozone produces three main wine series - Collection, Premium and Selection - along with exclusive small-batch wines such as Chardonnay Barrique and Viognier Barrique. The Marinov family has been dedicated to winemaking for over 20 years, with their two daughters managing exports. About 50 people work year-round at the estate, with seasonal staff doubling during harvest. 

Burgozone features a spacious tasting hall and a panoramic terrace overlooking its vineyards and the Danube. The winery is a founding member of the Association of Danube Winemakers, uniting over 20 producers from the Western and Central Danubian Plain.