site.btaKozya Gramada Winery to Launch Wine Tours in 2026

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.

Kozya Gramada family-owned winery, located in the village of Matenitsa in the region of Sredna Gora, was founded in 2010 by two brothers who have spent the past two years actively managing production with dedication to the vineyards and respect for tradition, winery manager Todor Neychev told BTA.

The winery has 12 ha of its own vineyards, growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muscat, Tamyanka and purchased varieties such as Syrah, Mavrud, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc allow for a diverse portfolio of white, rose, and classic red wines. Recent experiments include blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, as well as red combinations of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah.

“This year has been challenging for the vineyards due to drought, but the harvest is healthy, and we expect very good wines,” Neychev said. The grapes are of high quality, and traditional aging in oak barrels adds depth and character. The winery uses mainly French 225-liter barriques, as well as Bulgarian barrels from Vracheh. Currently, there are 25 barrels in use, with each red wine aging for a minimum of one year.

Among the most special offerings is the limited Mason series, aged for three years in barrels and produced in limited quantities of 300–600 bottles per year. Another premium wine is the Chardonnay Barrel Ferment, fermented directly in barrels.

The winery focuses on quality rather than mass production. Its main market is Bulgaria, targeting wine connoisseurs, with small exports to the UK, Neychev noted.

Kozya Gramada is already recognized among enthusiasts and festival audiences, participating in events such as the Hisarya Jazz Festival and, later this November, the Young Wine Festival in Plovdiv.

The winery’s name comes from the Kozya Gramada peak, a former Thracian residence. Here, the family cultivates its vineyards, and every drop of wine tells the story of Sredna Gora’s heritage. 

The winery also has a tasting room in Plovdiv and an online store with regular customers. Starting next year, Neychev plans to launch wine tours, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to taste wines where they are made.