Institute of Viticulture, Pleven

History of Establishment and Stages of Development

The Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Pleven (Институт по лозарство и винарство — гр. Плевен) is the oldest research center in Bulgaria and the first specialized institution in the field of ampelography on the Balkan Peninsula. The center was founded in 1902 as the State Experimental Station of Viticulture and Enology on the initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture of Bulgaria. The establishment of the station was an emergency measure aimed at restoring viticulture after the phylloxera crisis, which had destroyed most of the native Bulgarian vineyards by the late 19th century.

The location for the station in the Pleven region was chosen upon the personal recommendation of the prominent French professor and ampelographer Pierre Viala, who visited Bulgaria to assess the scale of the phylloxera disaster. The Pleven Experimental Station became the fifth specialized viticultural research institution in the world, following similar centers in Russia (1828), Italy (1872), France (1874), and Hungary (1898). In 1953, the experimental station was granted the status of a national research institute, which today operates under the Agricultural Academy of Bulgaria.

Main Fields of Scientific Activity

The activities of the Pleven Institute focus on fundamental and applied research, divided into the following key areas:

• Breeding for Multiple Resistance: Since 1930, the institute has been conducting systematic work on breeding hybrid grape forms with genetic immunity to downy mildew (Rpv loci), powdery mildew (Ren loci), and enhanced frost hardiness. The breeding strategy is based on interspecific hybridization of high-quality European varieties (Vitis vinifera) with Amur grape (Vitis amurensis) and Franco-American Seyve Villard hybrids.
• Preservation and Study of the Gene Pool: Since 1925, the institute has maintained a unique ampelographic collection that serves as a reference base for variety codification. The living collection of IVE Pleven includes thousands of accessions of table and wine grapes, making it the largest vine genetic bank in the Balkans.
• Clonal Selection and Variety Maintenance: Institute scientists conduct continuous work on isolating and sanitizing the most valuable clones of traditional autochthonous varieties of Bulgaria (Mavrud, Gamza, Pamid, Red Misket) from viral infections.
• Development of Enological Technologies: The experimental winery of the institute is engaged in microvinification of bred varieties, proving that modern interspecific resistant hybrids are capable of producing top-quality wines that fully comply with European Union regulations.

Prominent Scientists and Breeders

The development of the institute and the international authority of the Bulgarian ampelographic school are inextricably linked with the names of major Soviet and Bulgarian scientists. The foundation of breeding work in Pleven was laid by such outstanding figures as Professor M. A. Lazarevsky and Academician A. M. Negrul, whose variety study methodologies formed the basis of Pleven’s programs.

In the genetics and breeding section of the institute, legendary Bulgarian breeders Yordan Ivanov and Valcho Valchev worked for many years. It was their author team that made a breakthrough in interspecific hybridization, creating a whole galaxy of varieties that achieved wide industrial recognition. The institute actively developed international relations, working in close scientific cooperation with the All-Russian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after Ya. I. Potapenko (Novocherkassk).

Breeding Results and Created Varieties

Over the years of work, scientists of the Institute in Pleven have created several dozen valuable grape varieties:

Wine Varieties with Multiple Resistance:

• Misket kaylashki (Kaylashki Misket): A famous white wine variety obtained by Y. Ivanov and V. Valchev from crossing Muscat Hamburg with the French hybrid Seyve Villard 12-375. It possesses excellent resistance to downy mildew and gray rot, and can withstand winter frosts down to -22°C. It yields high-quality wines with a distinct muscat aroma.
• Kaylashki rubin (Kaylashki Rubin): A robust red wine variety created on the basis of complex interspecific crossing. It is distinguished by high sugar accumulation, intense color of the must, and increased resistance to fungal diseases.
• Storgosia: A highly productive red grape variety of late ripening period. It shows high resistance to downy mildew and excellent frost hardiness for Balkan conditions, allowing it to be grown without winter burial protection. It is named after the ancient Roman fortress of Storgosia, the ruins of which are located in Pleven.
• Slava (synonym: Pleros): A unique wine variety created as a result of joint international work between breeders of the Pleven Institute and the All-Russian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking (VNIIViW) named after Ya. I. Potapenko, by crossing the varieties Dunavska Gamza × Tsvetochny. It stands out for its high yield, pleasant muscat aroma of white berries, and excellent resistance to adverse environmental conditions.

Table (Desert) Grape Varieties:

• Pleven: A classic table variety of early ripening period, obtained at the institute in 1961 by crossing the varieties Italia × Yantar. It features a large berry with crispy flesh but requires full chemical protection against fungal diseases.
• Augustin (Pleven Ustoychivyi, V 25/20): A famous table variety with enhanced resistance to diseases and frost, obtained by crossing the classic Pleven variety with the French hybrid Villard Blanc (SV 12-375). It has become a benchmark of reliability in amateur vineyards.
• Nadezhda and Rusalka: Premium table varieties and seedless grapes (kishmish), combining early ripening, excellent commercial appearance of bunches, and resistance to environmental stress factors.

Currently, the Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Pleven coordinates national Bulgarian programs for the preservation of the grape gene pool and the development of ecologically safe, sustainable viticulture.