Interview with Petya Minkova from Chateau Cops

"The connection between wine, art, architecture and design is natural and so strong," says Petya Minkova, the owner of Chateau Kopsa. For this reason, it is no coincidence that we meet in one of the most prestigious galleries in the capital - One Gallery+.

by Teodora Nikolova photography Diana Lapin

I can't help but ask you, because your business is about the cycle of seasons - do you have a favorite season?

If before my favorite season was summer, for the last 7-8 years I find charm in the autumn days and their balance, when the weather and air are saturated with calmness. I love driving slowly on the Sub-Balkan road when I go to Chateau Kopsa and watching the colors of nature. There is a special magic in this period of the year – in the later sunrises, the beautiful sunsets, the grape pickers in the vineyards. As if in harmony with nature and women seem to become more elegant in autumn days. For me, the end of summer and the beginning of autumn is a time full of anticipation - what will the harvest be like, then you pray for sunny days, for nature's favor to pass us the autumn hail, and you shudder at the unknown of what fruit we will pick for the wine that we will create. This is also the season of hope – for a healthy harvest, for which we have been taking care all year.

You graduate from finance, create the company Bogdan Mebel, then devote yourself to wine. Do you like sharp turns in life? How do you make decisions about them - spontaneously or after a long consideration?

There is nothing wrong with sharp turns in life as long as they are taken safely :). Now I'm making a "turn" again - I started studying art history at Sotheby's Institute of Art. The different stages of my life, accompanied by interests in different fields, I wouldn't call spontaneity, they are rather a predestination that I followed. Both furniture making and wine making are "endeavors" that existed as family gifts, I just dug in and developed them to the level of a successful business and a well-recognized brand. Everyone has the right to make a personal choice whether to continue building on the foundation they have. For me, this question didn't seem to exist. The sense of responsibility to develop my existing and personal desire to create simply came to the fore. There is so much in common between wine, art, architecture, design - if we start with a look back in history and come to the fact that they all require free thought, creativity, broad horizons and knowledge.

After the new turn to art, are you already tempted to collect art?

Building a collection is different from collecting or buying art on the basis of what I like. Creating an art collection requires an in-depth knowledge of periods, themes, authors, and accordingly subordinating the works to that chosen theme or period. I have been buying art for years - mostly contemporary art or art objects with proven value over time. Our family has a fine art collection of Bulgarian authors, part of which can be seen on the walls of Chateau Kopsa.

What traces did the period related to the production of furniture and the creation of interiors leave on you?

I started the furniture business at the age of 25. This was the time when I was studying business and interior design in Milan at the same time, so the period was extremely fruitful for me. Production is not an easy process, especially for a woman, but it gave me the contact with the people who create the final product, touching the materials, you learn constructive thinking and how to deal with different situations. On the other hand, studying design and working with Bulgaria's best architects and designers was so enriching and inspiring.

"Winemaking confirms the oldest truth about people and life - that something created and nurtured with love, care, patience, faith, dedication and daily work pays off, and that's when you reap the best fruits."

How influenced are you by current design trends in your own home and how much do you try to stay on top of them?

Rather, I am influenced by the changes in our way of life and our understanding of the function of the home, the changes in the spatial divisions of the home, biophilic design, creating a connection between the external environment and the interior space, as well as the innovations that our modern times offer us - smart solutions, smart appliances, innovations in lighting, and not so much from design trends. For my home, I choose soft shapes and colors, natural materials such as marble, travertine, walnut. I prefer spaces that speak more about the owner and his interests than those that clearly read a design trend. Certainly the work of the architect with the right look, the balance of lines and proportions is of great importance, but all this would not have spirit if there were no paintings, books, small objects or furniture with emotional value.

The three things that always make you happy?

The good surprise, the appreciation of work and effort, the family together.

The chateau as a design Does your story or dream tell?

Maybe it's my father's dream come true. The project is by the late Bulgarian architect Zheko Tilev, but it would not have been realized if it were not for the ideas and authentic materials of my father. I tackled the interior of the Maison and Chateau Copsa, subordinated to the idea of telling and showing the story of our family, using only natural materials close to what surrounds us. I strove to create a feeling for our guests that would tear them away from the urban environment and everyday life.

Is there a wine flavor that is particularly special to you?

The same wine can be "presented" differently depending on the mood, the place, the company, the time. However, for me, there is one type of wine that, through the magical power of the bubbles it emits, manages to make me smile when I'm sad and make me even happier when I'm smiling. You guess I'm talking about His Majesty the Champagne. Napoleon's words best express my attitude: "In victory we drink champagne to celebrate, in defeat we drink champagne to console ourselves."

One Gallery +

The beautiful minimalist space of the gallery, presenting some of the most interesting authors of contemporary art, is located in a restored neoclassical building. We are shooting among works by Vikenty Komitsky, included in his solo exhibition "That moment when the coyote fell off a cliff". You can see the gallery's collection at bg.onegallery.eu.