Briefly tell us who is Catherine?

I was born in Sofia on October 9, 1991.

(Yes, Libra).

I grew up in an extremely close-knit and cheerful family, in a house on the outskirts of Sofia, with lots of games and carefree. My parents are great and very supportive, I have a younger brother. I graduated from high school in tourism, which was probably the reason why I continued to study in Plovdiv. The university is the place where I met important people who later became my friends. After graduation, I started working - leading wine tastings for various groups of people. It was interesting, but after a few months I moved to a much more serious place where I was dealing with the administrative side of wine. In the meantime, I also completed a master's degree. I studied and learned a lot until the summer of 2023 when I came here to Villa Daros.

1. No way, we start with the most used question in the world of wine - what is wine for you?

Passion is perhaps the word that best describes my relationship with wine. Sometimes it's crazy, other times it's very sentimental and somehow natural, soothing and always endlessly interesting.

2. How did you get into wine as a profession?

Accidentally. It was as if fate itself led me on the path of wine. It wasn't easy, but it was all worth it, as it still is. I was accepted at the University of Food Technology in Plovdiv, in a completely different major, and thanks to the fact that all technologists study together in the first two years, I realized that I was in the right university, but not in the right major. After a few attempts, I moved and with the line "you know it won't be easy, but we will make you a winemaker" my wine adventure began. Looking back, I can't say that completing my education started my desire to work as an oenologist. The credit for this goes to my colleagues, good oenologists, who showed me what it is to work with passion and desire and how wine can be created at a world level in Bulgaria as well. So here I am today, here at Villa Daros.

3. Quite honestly: do you like wine (we know many of your colleagues who are fans of brandy or beer for example)?

Do I like wine? Every day of my life is spent with wine. I drink wine at work, after work, alone or with friends, on any occasion and even without one. I can't say I don't appreciate a good beer or brandy, because there are plenty of good counterparts in beer and spirits, but it's definitely not something I'm passionate about.

4. There is research that, on a global scale, Bulgaria is the country with the most female winemakers, occupying a responsible position in the cellar and making the important decisions. What do you think is the reason for this and is it difficult to be a woman in this profession?

We women like things to happen with finesse and feeling, and what could be more sensual and elegant than wine. Perhaps this is the reason why there are so many women oenologists. I wouldn't say it's difficult, interesting - yes, as well as very dynamic and exciting. Sometimes I have to be more of a man and act decisively and without hesitation. At the same time, it is important for me that the wine is charged with energy and good emotions, and this is best done by a woman. The most important thing for me is that I am balanced and balanced, maybe because of my zodiac sign, but let's not start this very feminine topic about astrology...

5. You are relatively at the beginning of your professional path and for the first time - in the main role. Tell us a little more about Villa Daros – what's going on there, what can we expect from the cellar?

Villa Daros is a magical place, whether because of its location – at the foot of Pirin, whether because of the beautiful views and above all because of the sunrises and sunsets that are here and not least because of the people who work in the cellar. We've managed to build a small but extremely dedicated team - thank you guys! We have fun while making wine, without, of course, forgetting our vineyards, they are a very important part of the idea we follow. We take daily care, watch how the vines develop, and I personally can't wait to see the fruits of our care.

Look forward to the wines from the first vintage of Villa Daros. We are currently in a very creative process of creating the vision and presentation of each of our wines. We work in a team with a designer, marketing specialists, people with a lot of wine in their lives, which allows us to taste everything down to the smallest detail. Of course, these people are women, with few exceptions, and again we look for emotion in our work. We will release a finished product soon.

I can't help but mention the area where Villa Daros is located - the Struma Valley. An extremely sunny and beautiful corner of Bulgaria. We will try to contribute to the development of this emblematic wine region. We also look in the direction of preserving the terroir characteristics, the local varieties and to teach people that the Struma Valley is an area that deserves their attention.

6. Which countries' wines have impressed you the most so far?

This is a very difficult question. Wine is a product that conveys emotion. I like different wines from Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and many more countries. However, I know Bulgarian wines best and there are always many impressive ones among them.

7. Is there a wine culture in Bulgaria?

Yes! And it is growing more and more in the last 10 years, we are going in the right direction. Young people drink wine, like it and choose better and better wines. At wine events, I see more and more people who are just hobbyists trying to find their wine. Young people come on wine tours who talk passionately about wine, know the regions and wineries in Bulgaria and most importantly make comparisons between Bulgaria and other countries.

8. Who is Catherine outside the wine context and who or what inspires you (there were two questions, but nothing 😊 ):

Catherine is an emotion. I am not afraid to show my emotions, and even if I don't show them, they are visible from miles away. People around me are used to it, I hope. If I had to say what I like to do that is not related to wine - I like to cook, but it is also related to wine. I like to be with friends in pleasant company, but there is also wine there. I love flowers and animals, but they are not related to wine! I am recharged by the flowers, I may have inherited this from my mother, as well as the special humor from my father.

9. What would be the wine that best describes you as a person?

First of all, I would say a nice Riesling – fresh, juicy, with light petroleum notes, so that it is not boring. On second thought though, I'd point to any sparkling wine - elegant, with character, light bitterness, subtle playful bubbles and most importantly, before you open each bottle you're waiting to hear the sound and you're never sure if it's going to explode in your hands .

10. What can we expect in 2024 from you professionally?

Wine, wine, wine. The first wines of Villa Daros that I can't wait to see finished. Wine shows because I love talking about wine. A few trips abroad to "compare our watches" with the best. And the most exciting thing in the fall - the new crop, which I believe will be impressive. I'm thinking of interesting things for 2024, but I'll keep them a secret so they'll be interesting for you too.