The Wine Route Passes Through Pleven

The Institute of Viticulture and Enology (IVE) - Pleven, part of the structure of the Agricultural Academy, will celebrate its 120th anniversary with an Open Day on 29 August 2023. The celebrations will be accompanied by a special session with lectures, an exhibition of grapes and the IVE’s breeding achievements. Throughout its long history, the Institute of Viticulture and Enology – Pleven has always been a center of research work in viticulture and enology in the country. The ambitions of the new Director of the IVE are to turn the Institute into a preferred wine destination. The Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Pleven and the city’s oldest and largest chitalishte (community cultural center) “Saglasiye 1869” are among those entered in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage “Living Human Treasures” for 2022.

The Pleven region is well known in Bulgaria for its long-standing traditions and experience in viticulture and enology. This craft dates back to the 15th century on the lands of Pleven, as grape growing and winemaking have been the main livelihood for many families. Wine is also an integral part of Christian celebrations and holidays, which has preserved it as a symbol of our rich culture.

At the beginning of the 20th century, in 1902, in connection with the phylloxera crisis and the mass destruction of vineyards in Bulgaria, the Institute of Viticulture and Enology was founded. The Pleven region was identified as suitable for establishing the station on the recommendation of Professor Pierre Viala from the Paris Agricultural Institute. The main arguments for the decision to locate the viticulture experimental station in Pleven were the suitable soil and climatic conditions for the development of viticulture, the rich traditions of the local population in vine growing, the presence of an agricultural school with the largest and best-equipped wine cellar on the Balkan Peninsula, and a printing base for organizing publishing and other publication activities.

120 years back amidst the magic of wine

The State Viticulture and Enology Experimental Station is the first research institution in Bulgaria in the field of crop production and the fifth in the world after Russia (1828), Italy (1872), France (1874) and Hungary (1898). Created out of the vital necessity to save viticulture in our country, the station has been decisive for the restoration and bringing of Bulgarian viticulture up to European level by introducing the hitherto unknown technology for the production of vine planting material and the establishment of “new” viticulture in Bulgaria.

At present, the IVE has nearly 600 decares of plantations with Bulgarian and introduced white and red, wine and table grape varieties, 10 decares of rooting beds and 20 decares of mother plantations. Last year, 52 tonnes of grapes were harvested from the Institute’s vineyards, of which 20 tonnes were sold and the remaining 32 tonnes were processed.

Maya Paskova, Secretary of the “Saglasiye 1869” chitalishte, and Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, PhD, from IVE-Pleven, photo © BNR

Wine production as a national treasure

The project in which the Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Pleven (IVE) and the “Saglasiye 1869” chitalishte participate is related to wine production in the region. As Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, PhD, from the Institute of Viticulture and Enology shared on BNR, the idea is to promote the area as a traditional one for the development of viticulture and enology, which would create conditions for the development of wine tourism in Pleven and its surroundings.

Positive steps such as the possibility to visit local wineries, the Institute, and the organization of tastings could restore the importance of viticulture and enology not only for local communities, but also contribute to the national image of our country.

The “Saglasiye 1869” chitalishte, which is the oldest and largest chitalishte in Pleven, has been entered in the register with its folklore ensemble “Mizia”, which authentically recreates the custom of wine production as a local tradition in the region.

Open Day of viticultural science in Pleven – 29 August

The Institute of Viticulture and Enology (IVE) - Pleven, part of the structure of the Agricultural Academy, will celebrate its 120th anniversary with an Open Day on 29 August 2023. The celebrations will be accompanied by a special session with lectures, an exhibition of grapes and the IVE’s breeding achievements. The technologists of the Institute in Pleven will also present their best achievements in the field of wine.

Within the framework of the forum, the various departments working within the scientific unit will also be presented. The first information, delivered by Assoc. Prof. Iliyan Simeonov, will be about the team of the “Breeding, Enology and Chemistry” Department. As part of the theoretical section, Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Genov will acquaint guests with the main tasks and achievements of the “Technologies and Plant Protection” Department, and Prof. Miroslav Ivanov will present the achievements of Corresponding Member Mincho Kondarev, after whom some of the most aromatic and tasty grape varieties in Bulgaria are named.

Prof. Violeta Bozhanova, PhD – Deputy Chair of the Agricultural Academy – will present the main objectives of the project “Towards Pesticide-Free Agriculture” European Network for Sustainability (TOP-AGRI-Network) under COST Action A21134.

The organizers have also invited their colleagues from the institute in Obraztsov Chiflik, who will also participate with their own varieties.

New table grape varieties and wine destinations

There are three new table grape varieties developed at the Pleven institute – “Miro”, “Naiden” and “Yoana”, which will be presented at the Open Day on 29 August at the IVE.

Among the Institute’s future intentions is the development of tasting packages to be offered to travel agencies as part of wine tours. The IVE’s development plans also include the establishment of a small Wine Museum in the Institute’s courtyard.

The IVE in Pleven hopes that this year will also bring a good harvest and that more and more Bulgarians will seek out and prefer quality wine produced in our country.

The Institute carries out commercial activities with planting material from over 20 popular and newly bred varieties, the sale of table and wine grapes, as well as finished products of wines and rakia.