Bulgaria: History

The country has a long vinous heritage, dating back around 3,000 years. Numerous archaeological finds depict wine consumption, including discoveries at the Thracian temple complex near Starosel dated to the end of fifth century bc. pliny the Elder stated that the first European wine grower was a Thracian named Evmolp. Grape growing developed under roman occupation while the country’s conversion to Christianity from 864 ad brought new impetus to wine consumption (see eucharist). Ottoman rule from the 15th to the 19th century failed to destroy viticulture, and it has been suggested that as many as 50,000 ha/125,000 acres of vineyards remained when the country regained its independence in 1878.