Imagine a place that embodies the idea of modern relaxation: elegant, contemporary architecture set amid stunning, almost Mediterranean landscapes of mountains, gardens, rocks, and rivers; locally grown, delicious food; abundant greenery and options for recreation for all ages; and excellent wine made from vineyards just around the corner.
With its iconic wines of consistently high quality and character, Domaine Boyar has been a market leader in Bulgaria for over 30 years. The company remains relevant in the market because it not only embraces tradition, but also keeps an eye on new trends. Ana-Mariya Dakeva, Marketing Director of Domaine Boyar, is actively working on this mission – a young professional with experience and a vision for the future.
You joined Domaine Boyar after gaining professional experience in another field. What was your personal and professional discovery in the wine industry?
A charming French black grape variety, more popular in Uruguay than in its homeland, has found its new home in Bulgaria, among the rolling hills of Mogilovo village. The first vintage of Midalidare Barrel Fermented Tannat (midalidare.bg) stands out with an intense aromatic profile and exceptional aging potential. It is rich and blooming on the nose with aromas of ripe black berries and cherries, black pepper and black cardamom, black plum jam, tobacco, licorice, chocolate and an elegant smoky oak.
We are dreaming, we are chasing our dreams, and we are developing, guided by an unquenchable passion for wine. The story of Midalidare is a story of action that turns dreams into reality.
Our dream took us to the other side of the world, to a magical place with wonderful nature and exceptional wines – New Zealand. We wanted to try something different and challenging, to improve our skills, to gain new knowledge. Thus, the idea of creating wine abroad was born.
What is Bulgaria's smallest town? Bulgarian children learn the answer early in school. However, the reason both local and foreign tourists visit Melnik, population 194, is not its size. They cherish Melnik, in southwest Bulgaria, for its well-preserved Revival Period architecture, strong local wine and surreal surroundings of white limestone pyramids. Its location is just off the E79 route from Sofia to Greece, a short drive from Bansko.
Winter in Bulgaria wouldn't be complete without the endless name day celebrations, quivering slabs of slanina, or salted pork fat, and litres of rich red wine. In January and February alone you'll be required to do damage to your liver and waistline on Vasilyovden, or St Basil's Day; Yordanovden, or St Jordan's Day; Ivanovden, or St John's Day; Antonovden, or St Anthony's Day; Atanasovden, or St Athanasius's Day; and, of course, Trifon Zarezan, the winegrower's holiday on 14 February, which many people also celebrate on 1 February.
You may not particularly like Bulgarian streets because of their narrow pavements, missing flagstones and parked cars, but you will probably not notice these shortcomings on 14 February. Shops and pubs are decorated with hearts and pink balloons, women are more beautiful than usual and young people are kissing on every corner.
And then you encounter a group of Bulgarians who are obviously slightly tipsy. The mixed company loudly praises Trifon Zarezan. Several yards further you come across a baffling scene.
The saying "bitter like pelin" aptly describes the opinion of a large part of the drinking community, and probably of all teetotallers, in Bulgaria. They believe that this wormwood wine is definitely not to die for.
But the strange drink - neither wine, nor sangria, nor aperitif a la Fernet - has enough fans among the rest of the population. So many, in fact, that the EU has agreed to accept it as a Bulgarian trademark denoting an aromatic wine-based drink.