From the vineyard to the university auditorium: Villa Melnik shared their experience in managing a family business

Villa Melnik had the honor of being a key example of a successful family business model within the unique international course “Managing the Family Business – Strategy, Governance and Change”. The lecture was part of the ENGAGE.EU initiative – an alliance of leading European universities, and was held in partnership between the University of National and World Economy (Sofia), the University of Mannheim (Germany) and the Norwegian School of Economics in Bergen.

The founder and owner of the winery, Nikola Zikatanov and his daughter, Militsa Zikatanova, stood before the students to tell how a personal dream turned into a sustainable business that glorifies Bulgarian wine around the world.
Nikola and Militsa shared real cases from their practice. They focused on:

• How the “torch is passed” between generations without losing focus on quality.
• The obstacles facing a family winery in a dynamic international environment.
• Why family businesses are the backbone of the economy and how their core values make them more resilient during crises.

The course, coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kostadin Kolarov (UNWE), aims to show young professionals that family business is not just a profession, but a combination of strategy, management and emotional intelligence.

Villa Melnik’s participation in this elite European course is part of the winery’s long-term commitment to education and the promotion of the Bulgarian wine heritage through innovative approaches.