Bulgaria's Château Burgozone: A sense of place

Often when you arrive at a winery there is a welcoming drink waiting. However, being offered bread upon arrival at Château Burgozone was so very special. It is a Bulgarian tradition to welcome guests with bread. Château Burgozone, a family owned, boutique winery is perched on the southern banks of the Danube River, overlooking Esperanto Island. The winery takes its name from the Roman fortress, which was once located at the border of the wine estate. The fortress provided protection for the Roman Empire from invasions coming from the north. Today Château Burgozone welcomes its invaders with bread and wine.

A Château Burgozone Welcome © Spaswinefood

It was a beautiful spring day when we visited Château Burgozone, Leskovets, near the town of Oryahovo. Yes, it was a long bus trip from Sofia (180 km). We passed through beautiful mountain landscape, and lowland fields before reaching the Danube River plains. Even before leaving Sofia, this Spaswinefood enthusiast knew I was going to Château Burgozone, which won The Golden Winery of Bulgaria in 2016. However, what I gained from the visit is that Château Burgozone has an amazing sense of place.

Château Burgozone Estate, Danube Plain

Château Burgozone, Danube Plain © Spaswinefood

Château Burgozone is located in the Danube Plain Wine Region, one of Bulgaria's five wine regions (Thracian Lowlands, Rose Valley, Danube Plain, Black Sea Region, and Struma Valley). The Danube Plain is one of the most important wine regions in Bulgaria, with its vineyards accounting for 30% of vineyard production. Historically wine production in the region has always been important, and has survived many challenges. In fact, even during the Ottoman times, many villages were granted special statutes to allow wine production and selling.

Château Burgozone Estate Vineyard, Danube Plain © Spaswinefood

Château Burgozone’s wine estate has geographic coordinates and ecological conditions similar to Tuscany, Côtes du Rhône and Bordeaux, those world-famous European wine-producing regions. The Danube Plain is known for its fresh varietal white wines and rich red wines. The best-known grape varieties from this area include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Muscat and Gamza. The main grape varieties grown at Château Burgozone include: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Marcela, Merlot, Egiodola, Gamza, and Tamjanka.

After such a wonderful greeting upon arrival we were next taken on a quick tour of the winery. 

Tank Area, Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

Barrel Room, Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

The tour was followed by a comprehensive wine tasting.

Wine Tasting Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

Tasting Château Burgozone Wines

The winery’s three wine brands include:

1. Classic Collection: Cote De Danube Wines are to be enjoyed on all occasions, selected from vineyards with limited yield (50hl/ha).

2. Château Burgozone Wines are premium wines made with best hand collected grapes, selected from vineyards with very limited yield (25hl/ha).
3. Collectors Wines are unique wines from selected plots (only 18hl/ha of yield)

Our wine tasting began with the following white wines:

(1) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Viognier  2016

Château Burgozone, Viognier Premium 2016 © Spaswinefood

(2) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Chardonnay 2016

Château Burgozone, Chardonnay Premium 2016 © Spaswinefood

(3) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Château Burgozone, Sauvignon Blanc Premium 2016 © Spaswinefood

(4) Collectors Wines: Iris Creation (White) 2015

Château Burgozone, Iris Creation White 2015 © Spaswinefood

(5) Collectors Wines: Château Burgozone, Collection Chardonnay 2015

Château Burgozone, Collection Chardonnay 2015 © Spaswinefood

Next, there was a Rosé Premium 2016

(6) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Rosé 2016

Château Burgozone, Rosé  2016 © Spaswinefood

The red wines included:

(7) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Pinot Noir 2015

Château Burgozone, Pinot Noir Premium 2015 © Spaswinefood

(8) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Château Burgozone, Cabernet Sauvignon Premium 2014 © Spaswinefood

(9) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Cabernet Franc 2014

Château Burgozone, Cabernet Franc Premium 2014 © Spaswinefood

(10) Premium Selection: Château Burgozone, Marselan 2014

Château Burgozone, Marselan Premium 2014 © Spaswinefood

(11) Collectors Wines: Château Burgozone, Collection Philippe 2014

Château Burgozone, Collection Philippe 2014 © Spaswinefood

(12) Collectors Wines: Château Burgozone, Iris Creation (Red) 2014

Château Burgozone, Iris Creation Red 2014 © Spaswinefood

Château Burgozone: A Sense of Place
After the wine tasting we drove to a nearby reception area in the vineyard. There, we were officially welcomed to the area by the mayor of Oryahovo, and winery owner Emy Marinova. This was followed by Bulgarian folkloric dancing. 

Dancers Waiting, Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

Bulgaria Folk Dance, Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

Dancing Pair, Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

At the end of the dancing the mayor, the winery owner, and others joined the dancers.

A Bulgarian Welcome to Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

While in Bulgaria I was treated to a number of dances. This dance at  Château Burgozone was especially touching. It was sure very special to experience such rich tradition. After the dancing there was a delicious lunch with Château Burgozone wines of course.

Lunch with Château Burgozone Wines © Spaswinefood

  I could not leave this wine estate, without checking out the vineyards.

Château Burgozone Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Yes, I did a walk in the vineyard.

Early June Vines, Château Burgozone Estate © Spaswinefood

Early June Grapes, Château Burgozone Estate © Spaswinefood

This video captures the beauty of Château Burgozone Estate.

Also, before leaving the wine estate we each were asked to select our favorite wine to take with us. This was not an easy decision. My choice was a Château Burgozone, Collection Philippe 2014. 

A Parting Gift, Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

Needless to say, I was delighted to visit Château Burgozone to connect to the place where award-winning wines originate. To hear the story, as told by the mayor, of how the owner asked the people in the area where is the best place to grow wine grapes. People in the villages all told her to come to the place where she decided to establish Château Burgozone winery and its vineyards. This story is also telling of the long tradition of producing wine in this area of the Danube. It is also telling of the owner’s insightful vision. Today’s New Wines of Ancient Thrace, rooted in such a rich tradition, will undoubtedly shine. I invite you to join me in my travels in Bulgaria and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Château Burgozone Memories © Spaswinefood

Sharon

Sofia, Bulgaria

June 2017

© Spaswinefood

Château Burgozone © Spaswinefood

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Note: Special thanks to the Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) and our Bulgarian host who sponsored this trip.