VINPROM – TROYAN AD is the largest and best-known Bulgarian producer of fruit distillates, primarily plum rakia (slivovitz). The company is based in the town of Troyan, located 160 km northeast of Sofia, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), an area with highly favourable climatic conditions for plum cultivation. The origins of plum rakia production in this region date back to the mid-19th century.

To this day, Troyanska plum rakia is produced using traditional methods, exclusively from plums harvested in the Troyan region, which are destoned prior to fermentation. Distillation takes place in copper distillation columns, and the ageing process is carried out exclusively in 500-litre oak barrels. Thanks to this unique production method, Troyanska plum rakia is registered in the European register of protected geographical indications.

The cornerstone of the product portfolio is plum rakia, offered both in its basic version (unaged in oak barrels) and in a wide range of multi-year aged expressions matured in oak casks. The oldest Troyanska plum rakia on the market is the so-called “Special Reserve”, which must be aged for a minimum of 25 years. The company also produces other fruit distillates such as apple, quince, pear, apricot, cherry, and more.

The company’s main customers are partner wholesalers who fully cover the entire territory of Bulgaria and operate established distribution networks serving retail outlets and restaurants. The products are also listed in most major retail chains.

VINPROM – TROYAN is also the exclusive distributor of R. JELÍNEK products and METELKA liqueurs on the Bulgarian market.

PLUM ORCHARDS

In 2010, VINPROM – TROYAN invested in the purchase of land to establish its own orchards. In 2018, 38 hectares of plum orchards were planted near the village of Debnevo in the Troyan region. The first harvest took place in 2021.

CULTURAL EVENTS

Plum growing, distillation, drying, and processing into plum jam and other products are among the symbols of the town of Troyan. For this reason, the Bulgarian Plum and Plum Rakia Festival has been held annually since 1993. The event takes place on the last weekend of September and involves not only Troyan but also the nearby village of Oreshak.

Since 2011, VINPROM – TROYAN has been an important partner of the festival as a major industrial processor of plums and the producer of the renowned Troyanska plum rakia. As part of the celebrations, the company organises open-house days, during which visitors can learn more about the production processes of their favourite drink, gain insight into the company’s history and present, and discover the traditions of plum cultivation and processing in the Troyan region.