The thirteenth edition of the Young Wine Festival 2021 will be remembered with a record number of participants and visitors, including two ministers.
For the thirteenth consecutive year, winemakers and wine lovers met at the Young Wine Festival in Plovdiv. The Revival houses in the Old Town hospitably opened their doors for meetings and tasting of Bulgarian wines, delicious food and entertainment. Despite the objective circumstances and restrictions in the country, the organizers reported a record number of tastings over 79 000. and 60% growth compared to the strongest so far in 2020.
The opening was traditionally held on Friday, November 26. The Dionysian procession, accompanied by the Trakia Ensemble, gathered citizens and guests of the city to open the Young Wine Parade together. This year the organizers surprised everyone with the debut of “Young Dionysus”. The actor Stayko Staykov from the State Puppet Theater – Plovdiv successfully played the role. The official guests, including the Minister of Tourism Mrs. Stella Baltova, the Mayor of Plovdiv Mr. Zdravko Dimitrov and the Regional Governor Mr. Angel Stoev, welcomed the organizers, participants and visitors. The first barrel of young wine at Chateau Copsa was opened by Minister Baltova and God Dionysus. With a toast from young wine, the wine tastings started.
For the second year the event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism. Their stand was located in the Zlatyu Boyadzhiev Gallery. Information materials about the different types of tourism were distributed to the visitors by students majoring in “Tourism” at the University of Plovdiv and students from the High School of Tourism.
Another important event took place in the framework of the Young Wine Festival 2021. On Sunday, November 28, the Minister of Culture also visited the Young Wine Festival. Accompanied by Eng. Lyubozar Fratev, Prof. Minekov honored the participants in the festival. The tour of the Old Town was combined with a visit to cultural sites – galleries and houses – museums. The reason for the visit of Minister Minekov was the signing of a tripartite Memorandum for the construction of a building for the State Opera – Plovdiv.
Tasting competition for young Bulgarian wine “DIONYSUS”, composed of a 7-member jury from the University of Food Technology – Plovdiv awarded the participants with 14 “Dionysus” in the categories – young white, rosé and red wines. He was also an excellent participant in the additional category “Others”. Here are the winners:
In the category of YOUNG WHITE WINE:
⭐GOLDEN DIONYSUS:
• Chateau Copsa – Sauvignon Blanc;
• Villa Yustina Winery- Sauvignon Blanc x Semillon
⭐SILVER DIONYSUS:
• Kozya Gramada Winery – Sauvignon Blanc / Rkatsiteli / Chardonnay
• Izba Strajdata – Incense / Chardonnay
• Stema Starosel – Red Muscat
In the YOUNG ROSE category
⭐SILVER DIONYSUS:
• Rosalea – Syrah / Ruby / Cabernet Franc
• Kozya Gramada Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chateau Copsa – Cabernet Sauvignon
In the YOUNG RED WINE category
⭐GOLDEN DIONYSUS:
• Zaara Estate – Syrah / Cabernet Franc / Carmener
• Chateau Copsa – Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Merlot
⭐SILVER DIONYSUS:
• Izba Strajdata – Ruby
• Izba Strajdata – Cabernet Sauvignon
• Yamantievs Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Syrah / Alicante Boucher
• Brestovitsa Winery- Cabernet Franc
In the OTHER category
⭐ Reality Bio Wine – Wine-based drink – Cherry / Merlot
Wine lovers also honored their favorites:
• WHITE WINE – Family vineyards and winery Haralambievi
• ROSE – Rosalea
• RED WINE – Wine Bridges
Large organized tourist groups from Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Vidin and other cities stood out. There was also an increased presence of foreigners.

The Young Wine Festival was held in strict compliance with all anti-epidemic measures regulated by the Minister of Health. A stopper and signs regulating one-way traffic in the yard were placed at each entrance. Students from the Medical University – Plovdiv observed compliance with the introduced measures. They had distinctive signs in all locations. They reminded the visitors to disinfect themselves, to follow the traffic signs and not to gather the visitors of large groups.
Organizers: “Tourism Council – Plovdiv” and the Municipality of Plovdiv with the active cooperation of Municipal Institute “Ancient Plovdiv” and the University of Food Technology – Plovdiv, all partners, participants in the Young Wine Festival, as well as institutions related to culture and art in the city.
Young Wine Festival is funded by the Annual Program for Tourism Development of the Municipality of Plovdiv for 2021.