Travel Guide to Danubian Plain Wine Region

The Danubian Plain wine region is a Bulgarian wine region located in the hilly northern parts of the country. The vines of this wine region are planted on the steep valley slopes of the mountains, along the course of the meandering Danube River. Compared to other wine regions of Bulgaria, the Danubian Plain wine region remain relatively underdeveloped. This means that the Danubian Plain wine region is quiet in terms of tourism and tourist attractions but it is still certainly worth visiting. What the Danubian Plain wine region lacks in terms of attractions it more than makes up for in terms of historical artefacts, ancient fortresses, and medieval castles.  

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Danubian Plain wine region to enjoy if you visit the region.

Follow the guide to Danubian Plain wine region to discover more about:

Wines of the Danubian Plain wine region

Open cellar doors in Danubian Plain Wine Region

The best sites to see in the Danubian Plain Wine Region Valley

Local gastronomy

Classic Dry Wines from the Danubian Plain wine region    

The Danubian Plain wine region is a hilly wine region located in the north of Bulgaria.

Following the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, the whole of Northern Bulgaria became part of the Principality of Bulgaria. The fertile soils of the Danubian Plain wine region and its location on the banks of the Danube River meant that during this time it became a transportation hub and an important settlement for the people of the area. By the time the Middle Ages had arrived, this area had grown to become one of the major urban hubs of Bulgaria. In modern times, at the end of World War II, the north of Bulgaria and the Danubian Plain wine region became the gateway to the Soviet partners.

Compared to the other wine regions of Bulgaria, the Danubian Plain wine region is relatively underdeveloped in terms of tourism and travel infrastructure. This means that the Danubian Plain wine region remains untouched and is particularly special to see.

The PGI zone of the Danubian Plain wine region covers the central part of the Danubian Plain wine region on the southern banks of the Danube River. From there it stretches to the Northern Black Sea Region. The Danubian Plain wine region has been a PGI since as early as the second century and comprises 50% white and 50% red wine.

The climate of the Danubian Plain wine region is temperate continental with hot summers and many sunny days a year. The autumn months are dry, and the precipitation is an average of 450 – 650 mm per year. The soils of the Danubian Plain wine region are made of forest vegetation and are fertile and dark. The terroir of the Danubian Plain wine region is loamy and granular with good permeability.

Danubian Plain Wine Region Map

You can also check out our interactive map of the Danubian Plain Wine Region to discover wineries with open cellar doors.

High Quality Wines from the Banks of the Danube River

The Danubian Plain wine region is home to the production of excellent quality dry white wines, sparkling wines and quality red wines that are known for their rich and fruity aromas and wonderfully fresh taste.

The winemakers of the Danubian Plain wine region make sure that they cover all the bases in their viticulture practices in order to produce high-quality and classy white and red wines.

The signature wine of the Danubian Plain wine region is the deep purple and slightly spicy Gamza. The aroma of this wine is a mixture of black and red forest fruits, spics, plums, nuts and vanilla. The taste has soft tannins and is balanced and juicy with fruity freshness. The rose wines of the Danubian Plain wine region are characterised by red forest fruits and stone fruit. The taste of the wine has highlights of blackberries and ripe cherries.

---

Where to Go when Visiting the Danubian Plain wine region  

Veliko Tarnovo - The City of the Tsars

Veliko Tarnovo is located in north central Bulgaria and is the administrative centre of the Veliko Tarnovo Province of the Danubian Plain wine region. This town is famous for being the historical capital of the second Bulgarian Empire. It attracts thousands of tourists thanks to its unique architecture. The old part of the town is the most beautiful as it is located on top of three hills that rise out of the meanders of the Yantra River. On one of the hills are the magnificent palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and the Patriarchal Cathedral. Other sites in Veliko Tarnovo that are fabulous to see include the Samovodskata Charshiya, the various renaissance and medieval churches and the ancient Roman fortress of Nicopolis ad Istrum.

Transfiguration Monastery - The Monastery of the Transfiguration

The Transfiguration Monastery or the Monastery of the Transfiguration is the biggest monastery in the location of Veliko Turnovo and the fourth largest monastery in the Danubian Plain wine region in Bulgaria. This monastery was founded in the 11^th century and was built on its present site in 1825. The buildings of monastery are built around a rectangular shaped court shaded by beautiful pergolas. The monastery is frequented by visitors particularly to see its incredible mural paintings that were painted from 1849 – 1851. The Monastery of the Transfiguration is open to visitors every day from 07:00 – 19:00.

Pleven Regional Historical Museum 

The Pleven Regional Historical Museum was founded in 1953 and is one of the largest museums in Bulgaria. This museum is located in a double-story edifice in the centre of Pleven on 7000 square meters of land in the Danubian Plain wine region. It is home to over 180 000 artefacts and over 10 000 volumes of periodicals and scientific literature. The Pleven Regional Historical Museum has a permanent exhibition of 5000 items that are displayed across 24 halls and in the five departments of archaeology, ethnography, the Bulgarian National Revival and the Ottoman Rule of Bulgari, modern history and nature. For those interested in the cultural heritage of Bulgaria, this museum is a must-see.

Explore the City of Rousse

The beautiful city of Rousse is located in the eastern part of the Danubian Plain wine region in north-central Bulgaria. The city is perfectly situated on the mouth of the Roussenski Lom river. It is the largest city to be found on the Danube River and the fourth largest city in Bulgaria. When visiting and exploring Rousse, the attractions that should not be missed are the Regional History Museum, the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes, the Sexaginta Prista Fortress, the National Museum of Transport and the Holy Trinity Church.

---

Find the best Danubian Plain Wine Tour Guides and experience unforgettable Guided Wine Tours in the beautiful region of Danubian Plain.

The Natural Attractions of the Danubian Plain wine region  

The Danubian Plain wine region is located north of the Balkan Mountains and south of the Danube River. To the west it is bordered by the Timok River and to its east the Black Sea, making it one of the most scenic and beautiful regions of Bulgaria. For nature lovers, the Danubian Plain wine region is a wonderland of hills, rivers and lush green meadows making it the perfect destination to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Danube River - Explore Europe’s Second Largest River

The Danube River is the second-largest river in Europe and goes through the Danubian Plain wine region. In Bulgaria, the Danube stretches almost along the Romanian border. Much of the river path is off the main tourist path but is nevertheless still incredibly beautiful to explore. While travelling along the Bulgarian Danube there are plenty of cities, towns and villages to explore. To see the architectural relics of the Bulgarian empires, pay a visit to Vidin where you can also see the river from the castle towers. Along with the towns and villages along the river, several Danube islands are wonderfully wild and untouched. For those who like to escape the main tourist route, the path of the Danube in Bulgaria is the perfect place to escape the crowds and experience untouched Bulgaria.

Belogradchik Rocks - One of the Most Impressive Rock Formations in Europe

The Belogradchik Rocks are a rock formation in the Danubian Plain wine region in Bulgaria that was formed during the Permian period, approximately 230 million years ago. During this time, the tectonic movement of the region elevated the entire area of Belogradchik. This also caused large quantities of the haematitic pigment to accumulate, giving the rocks a unique rusty colour. The rock formations are divided into several different parts according to their location. One of the most significant parts is the red rock chain that beings with the ‘One Hundred Sheep’ formation nearby the village of Belotintsi. When visiting the Belogradchik Rocks one can also access the Belogradchik fortress, an impressive historical, cultural and architectural monument which stands at 610m above sea level. From the highest parts of the fortress, there are the most spectacular views of the Balkan Mountain Range and the adjacent rock formations.

Magura Cave - The Rabisha Cave

The Magura Cave (also known as the Rabisha Cave) is situated in the Danubian Plain wine region in the northeast of Bulgaria, 17km from the Belogradchik rocks and inside the limestone Rabisha burial mound. This cave is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Europe. The cave system consists of the main gallery and three side branches and stretches for approximately 2500 meters in length. According to archaeologists, the cave began to take shape 15 million years ago. In one of the caverns, there are prehistoric paintings carved into the walls that depict people hunting, animals, stars, tools and plants. The conditions inside the cave are used for the production of sparkling wines similar to Champagne. When visiting the cave be sure to visit the nearby Rabisha Lake which is the greatest inland lank in Bulgaria.

---

What to Eat When Visiting the Danubian Plain wine region

The cuisine of the Danubian Plain wine region is typically South Slavic with influences of other Balkan cuisines. The warm climate and diverse geography of the Danubian Plain wine region make it excellent for the growth of fresh produce. The meals of the Danubian Plain wine region are all famously paired with a delicious fresh salad and one of the top-class local wines. A wonderful experience for all food and wine lovers.

Pastarma Govezhda - Cured Meat of the Danubian Plain wine region

Pastarma Govezhda is a Bulgarian dish favoured in the Danubian Plain wine region, consisting of raw dried meat. The dish has been made in the region since the 19^th century and since then the traditional recipe has remained unchanged. When making Pastarma Govezhda only the freshest beef is used and salted. No other spices are added so that the original flavour of the meat is retained. The most important part of the process when making Pastarma Govezhda is drying the meat in air-conditioned chambers where the humidity and temperature are constantly monitored to create perfect conditions. After the drying process, the meat is pressed in wooden panelled presses to develop a dense texture. As a result of the pressing, the meat has a smooth surface and a flattened oblong shape. Pastarma Govezhda is best served sliced as a cold appetizer and paired with a crisp local wine.

Cherni Vit - Danubian Cheese

Cherni Vit is a cheese often eaten in the Danubian Plain wine region and made with local sheep’s milk. This cheese cannot be bought in the supermarket as it is produced only in very small quantities in the village of Cherni Vit. During the months of May, June and July, the sheep are milked by hand two or three times a day. Following the milking, rennet is added to the milk and it is left to curdle for 2 hours. After this, the curd is cut and placed in a cloth-lined wooden box, on top of which a wooden lid is placed and two big stones are added for extra weight and pressure. Once the whey has been removed from the cheese it is cut, salted and layered in a lime tree wood barrel. The barrels are left in the mountains until late October when they are moved and stored in cellars. Eventually, when the barrels are opened, green mould starts to form on the cheese. The flavour of this is nutty and sharp. This unique cheese cannot be experienced anywhere else and represents the true flavours of the Danubian Plain wine region.

Torta Garash - The Best Chocolate Cake on the Danubian Plain wine region

Torta Garash is a chocolate cake that is by far one of the most delicious and decadent desserts in the Danubian Plain wine region in Bulgaria. This chocolate delight is made up of five tiers of walnut sponge cake layered with dark chocolate. The entire cake is then covered in chocolate icing or ganache and decorated with desiccated coconut, walnuts, chocolate ornaments and sliced almonds. Torta Garash was invented in 1885 in the city of Rousse and is today one of the most famous desserts across all of Bulgaria. It can be found in any patisserie or restaurant in the country and is the perfect way to end any Bulgarian meal.

---

Share about Danubian Plain Wine Region: