The road to happiness is paved with gratitude: My thank you notes from the past two weeks in Greece and Bulgaria. (part 2)

After two weeks in Europe I have a long list of people that I have to thank. From one reason or another, they made our journey in Greece and Bulgaria special and unforgettable. 

Some are dear old friends (the best of friends!)... 

and some a dear new friends (the best of friends!) 

My very first stop will be with the woman who works really hard to put her country - Bulgaria - and the other countries of Balkans on the map of fine wine. Not only she organized an amazing competition but she also managed to join the fight of the #winelover community against cancer: The one and only Galina Todorova Niforou. 

My dear old friend, thank you!!

My second stop will be with the man who worked really hard (as he always does) as the Chairman of the 6th edition of the Balkan International Wine Competition. 

My dear old friend, Konstantinos Lazarakis MW,

 thank you so much!!

My third stop is to thank my brilliant team. You guys rock! Thank you so much for two days of hard work!! Thank you my dear old friends 

Ivana Simjanovska and Horia Hasnas! Thank you my dear new friend Martin Smid!

 

Neli Ruseva from Bononia Estate Winery & Vineyards

Nicholas & Militza Zikatanova from Вила Мелник Winery (Villa Melnik)

Panayiota Kalogeropoulou from Domaine Sigalas

Mustafa Camlica from Chamlija Family Winery

Stanislav Bakardzhiev from Villa Yustina

My fourth stop will be with the amazing producers above (and to those who I don't have a picture) who opened their bottles of wine and their hearts! Thank you so much!!! 

My fifth stop will be with the amazing judges and members of the team of #BIWC2017. It was great to work (and have lots of fun!!) with you guys!! 

Galina Todorova Niforou,  Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, Saša Špiranec,  Maria Sofia Dare Biancolin, Ivana Simjanovska, Horia Hasnas, Martin Smid, Igor Lukovic, Gabriela Georgieva, Rod Smith MW, Caroline Gilby MW, Nanci Bergamo and Nikos Panidis.

Thank you so much!!!  

Last (but not least) my final stop of this first chapter goes to my dear friends (old and new) who I had the chance to share a glass of wine during my days in Bulgaria. 

Thanks my dear old friend Sharon Parsons!!

Thanks my dear new friend Paolina Petkova!!

#SeeYouInBulgaria!!! 

Cheers,

Luiz Alberto 

• Founder of the #winelover community

• Master of Wine candidate

• Member of the Circle of Wine Writers

• Italian Wine Ambassador

• I combine my passion for wine with social media

• Follow me on twitter: @thewinehub

• On Instagram: 1winelover