About Us
— About Us
About the Association
"Plovdiv Wine Routes" is a professional non-profit association that unites leading grape and wine producers from the Western Thracian Valley and Rose Valley – lands with fertile vineyards, unique terroir, and centuries-old winemaking traditions. Our mission is to protect the origin and quality of local wines, develop a recognizable wine image, and transform the region into a sustainable and attractive wine destination.
Through tastings, wine tours, masterclasses, cultural and culinary events at wineries, we share the richness of our land with connoisseurs from home and abroad. We organize community initiatives such as participation with a regional stand at Urban Wine Fest Plovdiv, dedicated to International Mavrud Day. Open Doors Day "A Glass of Wine Away from Plovdiv" promotes wine tourism in the Plovdiv area. At the Spring Festival in Krichim Palace, we combine wine with history, culture, nature, music, and traditions to offer an unforgettable tourist experience.
With its 13 members and over 320 hectares of vineyards, the association aims to build cooperation between more producers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and tour operators. Our goal is for you to experience a glass of local wine in Europe's oldest city - Plovdiv, which will inspire you to visit the wineries in the region and discover the tastes and stories that make our region so special.
—Region
Western Thrace
Western Thrace is a wine-growing region that encompasses the Plovdiv area – with Sredna Gora to the north and the Rhodopes to the south – and the Pazardzhik area, bounded by Rila to the southwest. The territory includes the Rhodope collar and extends from Popovitsa and Asenovgrad in the east to Karabunar and Panagyurishte in the west.
This is the region of Mavrud – perhaps the most Bulgarian variety, known since antiquity. Archaeological findings show that Asenovgrad was a center of Thracian viticulture, and the grape harvest and winemaking here were more than a craft – a true celebration filled with rituals and community traditions.
The climate is warm and dry, the soils are cinnamon-forest and clay, rich in carbonates – an ideal foundation for red wines with style. The regional signature of red wines stands out clearly: deep color, fresh fruit, elegant, full but not too tight body, and a characteristic earthy accent in the aroma – a note of soil and ink that adds authenticity. Along with local Mavrud, Pamid, and Rubin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah are grown, providing diversity and sustainability to the region's wine profile.
Although known primarily for its red wines, there are many wineries that produce remarkable white wines. Alluvial-meadow soils, especially along the Maritsa and Vacha rivers, are exceptionally suitable for varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Red Misket, Aligoté, Colombard, Dimyat, and others. The area around Brestovitsa village is also known for aromatic dessert varieties, such as the eponymous Brestovitsa variety, Black, and the seedless Flame Seedless.
The Rhodope collar is characterized by many micro-regions with their own terroir, which allows for a diversity of tastes, even from the same variety. This is why the journey through the region's wineries is so diverse and rich in aromas and emotions.
—Region
Rose Valley
The Rose Valley is the smallest wine-growing region and stretches south of the Balkan Mountains, between its southern slopes and the eastern part of Sredna Gora. It consists of two river valleys - that of Stryama in the west and Tundzha in the east (or the Karlovo and Kazanlak fields). Here nature has created a unique balance: the mountain protects from cold northern winds and provides ideal air drainage, while the climate remains mild and harmonious. The soils are brown and cinnamon forest, with good permeability – a perfect environment for vineyards.
This is the birthplace of Red Misket – a local Bulgarian variety, also known as Karlovo Misket, which expresses itself here in its best form. It produces elegant, fresh, and aromatic white wines with finesse and individuality that reflect the spirit of the terroir. Alongside it, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Muscat Ottonel thrive successfully, contributing to the diversity of styles – from light and fresh to fuller-bodied and mineral. Known primarily for its white wines, the region is also favorable for red varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.
The Rose Valley is globally recognized as the best terroir for the Damask Rose, but wine production here is equally characteristic and expressive. The harvesting of both crops becomes a celebration filled with ritual ceremonies, modern workshops, and excellent hospitality.
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