Bulgaria was one of the first regions in Europe where wine was produced. Wine making continued throughout the Middle Ages and the Ottoman rule in Bulgaria. During the Iron Curtain period, wine making was consolidated and turned into a state industry. At first, its target market was restricted to the Eastern, but in the 1980’s Vinprom, the state owned wine company began exporting to western markets. Since then Bulgarian wine has grown in popularity on the world markets and is now one of the largest wine exporters.

The climate in the north of the country has cool winters and hot summers. It is milder in the south around the Black sea and the Mediterranean. Hilly terrains combined with good quality soils create ideal conditions for growing good quality grapes.

Local grapes for red wines include Gamza, Mavrud, Melnik and Pamid. Local white grapes include Misket, Ottonel, and Dimiat. The best Bulgarian wines are produced from the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. However, whites produced from varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling are rapidly improving in quality.
The five main wine growing regions of Bulgaria are Northern region between the Danube and the Balkan mountains, Eastern region along the Black Sea coast, Sub Balkan region in the deep valleys south of the Balkan mountains, South Western region around the Struma Valley, and Southern region from the Balkan range to the Greek border.
Bulgarian wine producers include Alvina, Bozoukov, Damianitza, Haskovo, Lovico Suhindol, Menada, Midas, Vinex Slavivansi, Vini, Vinprom Svishtov and many, many more. The original state run vineyards are fast passing into private hands.