The Thracian Lowlands, also called the Southern Region or Thracian Valley, represents a good 35% of Bulgaria's vineyard area with its approximately 60,000 hectares. The region extends over a large area in the south of Bulgaria far to the east to the Sakar Mountains, near the Turkish border. The Thrace Valley is one of the most important centres of Bulgarian viticulture. The region attracted great attention when the famous Count Neipperg, operator of the equally famous Château Canon La Gaffelière in St-Émilion, bought vineyards in the western part of the Thracian plain southeast of Sofia and constructed a model winery. The climate is temperate continental with warm summers and not too severe winters. Under these conditions, red grape varieties dominate, with the region boasting a very special speciality in the form of the Mavrud variety. But also some white wines are at home here. In addition to wine growing, the region is also a supplier of grain, fruit and vegetables. The regional centres of viticulture are cities like Plovdiv in the center, Stara Zagora in the northeast or Oerushitza in the west. The region is experiencing a very serious boom, the know-how is growing as well as the cellar technology, meaning some quite remarkable wines come from here, which still promise a lot for the future.
