Minister of Agriculture and Food Plamen Abrovsky took part in a meeting dedicated to promoting Bulgarian wine as a key part of the country's national identity and boosting wine tourism. The event, held at the Ministry of Tourism, brought together Tourism Minister Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, Parliamentary Agriculture Committee Chair Yavor Gechev, and representatives from the National Association of Bulgarian Viticulturists, various wine organizations, and local producers.
"Alongside our famous roses, wine is the second product that acts as a true calling card for our country. I am thrilled with this new initiative, which will help promote high-quality Bulgarian wines. I hope this marks a decisive step toward a broader partnership with the Ministry of Tourism to unlock the potential of our wine industry fully," Minister Abrovsky stated.
He pointed out that while Bulgaria produces exceptional wines, they need better marketing and promotion. Developing wine tourism, he emphasized, is a great way to showcase the country's rich heritage and build a stronger bridge between agriculture and the tourism sector. "I can confidently say we make outstanding wines, and it only makes sense for agriculture and tourism to work hand in hand," he added.
Plamen Abrovsky also stressed that Bulgarian wine and traditional food should be paired together to create a complete tourist experience. He suggested that the next step in this collaboration should focus on expanding the presence of local food in restaurants and tourist hotspots. "Bulgarian wine and local cuisine should always go together. We’ll soon hold another meeting focused specifically on bringing more Bulgarian food into our restaurants, so we can truly show international visitors our culinary wealth," he said. He added that any promotional strategy needs to prioritize top quality while respecting the natural seasonality of food and wine.
During the meeting, attendees discussed forming a national partnership between state institutions and the winemaking sector to position Bulgarian wine in the country's tourism packages. Key proposals included launching a "Choose Bulgarian Wine" campaign, running joint training sessions on local products for hotel and restaurant staff, hosting professional tastings, mapping out regional and national wine routes, and organizing themed events.
Yavor Gechev, Chair of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee, noted that imported wines currently dominate menus at Bulgarian restaurants and resorts. "We now have a real opportunity to vigorously develop the winemaking sector, and I am committed to securing the necessary legislative changes. However, the industry itself needs to step up and play an active role," Gechev stated.
"We are laying the groundwork for a national initiative to give Bulgarian wine the recognition it truly deserves. We must map out a clear action plan with concrete steps," concluded Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov.