“Vin to Wine” – Bulgarian wine in the European Parliament

On March 26, 2025, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted the “Vin to Wine” – a key event that can be described, without exaggeration, as the beginning of sustained lobbying in favor of Bulgarian wine at the European level.

The event was organized by Mr. Ilia Lazarov, Member of the European Parliament from the European People's Party. Thanks to his initiative, Bulgarian wine was given the opportunity to be presented in one of the most prestigious institutions of the European Union with dignity, professionalism, and a vision for the future.

Members of the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals (BAWP) actively participated in "Vin to Wine" alongside representatives from the Bratanov, Malkata Zvezda, Villa Melnik, and Burgozone wineries. Marin Atanasov presented the history, current state, and prospects of Bulgarian viticulture and wine production. With his expert approach, he outlined not only the current trends in the sector, but also Bulgaria's potential as a preferred wine destination.

Event raised interest and was highly appreciated by the attendees. Guests expressed sincere admiration for the quality of the wines and their presentation – emotional, accessible and intriguing – by their creators and wine professionals. We can confidently say that this approach to presentation generates genuine engagement and even turns casual guests into curious admirers of Bulgarian wine and Bulgaria as a wine tourism destination.

The representatives of the industry stated their ability not only to defend their right to be the face of Bulgarian wine, but also to set the direction for its development by actively participating in the formation of policies in the sector.

We would like to express our special gratitude to Mr. Ilia Lazarov, who stood behind the cause of Bulgarian wine and local production and readily mobilized his political influence in favor of the sector's development. We would also like to thank Marin Atanasov, Antoaneta Genova, Ivana Murdzheva, Stanislav Bakardzhiev, Marina Koleva, Hristo Bratanov, and Svilen Georgiev for their professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication.

The Vin to Wine event marks the beginning of a new series of actions aimed at achieving systematic and professional international visibility for Bulgarian wine. We are convinced that this will not be a one-off event, but the first step in a series of events of growing importance and influence. BAWP continues to work towards building a strong image of Bulgaria as a wine country – with professionalism, passion, and a long-term vision.