Bulgaria is a country of just over 7 million people, located in Southeast Europe. It has a long history as an agricultural nation that exports its products worldwide. Now, their wine producers are eyeing China's lucrative and expanding wine market. In 2016, Bulgaria exported over 5 million liters of wine to China. Exporters expect that number is likely to double very soon. CGTN's Aljosa Milenkovic visited the village of Kolarovo – famous for its wine -- and sends this report.

The endless fields of Bulgaria's best vineyards. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and 14 other kinds of grapes are grown here. They are meticulously cared for, for generations in this region. A few months from now, these berries will be ready to be harvested and will be used for their primary purpose.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC KOLAROVO "It is grapes from these vineyards that are turned into wine that then finds its way onto the tables of oenophiles in China. I'm in Southern Bulgaria, in the village of Kolarovo. Behind me is Greece, and experts are saying that this exact location is the best for winemaking."

And here is where all the harvested grapes are brought in. It is one of Bulgaria's best wineries, located in the village of Kolarovo.

People working here are proud of their craft. And that because of them, Bulgarian wine is slowly becoming a bestseller in markets across the globe.

VLADIMIRA KABAKOVA CASTRA RUBRA WINERY "We work with 28 countries. We export mainly to China, USA and Japan. I think the Chinese customers like wines who are typical for French, for the French type of producing wine. And because of that we use a lot of the French techniques."

A buyer from China, Zhang Changqing doubled the exports of this Bulgarian wine in just one year, from 500,000 bottles to one million. And he hopes that next year he'll double that figure again, to two million bottles.

But during that process he faced the obstacle of promoting Bulgarian wine in a country where most of the people have hardly even heard about this small European nation.

ZHANG CHANGQING, PRESIDENT CHINA QINGDAO AIPINZ INTERNATIONAL "Yes it is really very difficult because you know most of the Chinese, they don't know Bulgarian wines, even they don't know Bulgaria, you know. So, we have to make a lot of events, a lot of exhibitions, a lot of tasting parties, and promote Bulgarian wines."

Bulgaria is producing almost 150 million liters of wine every year, and both Bulgarian wine producers, as well as authorities, are hoping to boost their wine exports to China.

They understand the potential of China's growing appetite for wine, and they hope that by offering very competitive prices and quality, they will be able to secure their position in the Chinese wine market.

Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Kolarovo in Southern Bulgaria.