Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Boyar operates vineyards in the eastern Black Sea region and on the Thracian plain, its
tastings are held in Shumen-area vineyards. Professional guides detail the winery's his-
tory, and serve the winery's spectacular Chardonnay (among others).
The Valley of Roses (Sub-Balkan)
South of the Stara Planina mountain range and north of Plovdiv, this region's rich fields
are perfect for producing dry whites, such as Misket - better here than anywhere else in
Bulgaria.
Thracian Lowland (South Bulgarian)
Beginning south of the Stara Planina range and
extending to the Sakar Mountain and Maritsa
River, this region enjoys hot, dry summers
while the mountains protect it from cold north-
ern winds. The Bessa Valley sub-region's
winemaking tradition dates to the 5th-century-
BC Thracian Bessi tribe. This region produces
one of Bulgaria's most famous wines, the red Mavrud, plus Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Muscatel and Pamid.
Damianitza's 'No Man's Land' wine is made from
grapes grown in the once off-limits border-zone
fields between Bulgaria and Greece.
WINERIES
Bessa Valley Winery
( 088-949 9992;
www.bessavalley.com
; Ognyanovo village)
Bessa Valley produces excellent Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tasting tours involve seeing the impressive facilities, which include an enormous rotunda
and arched pergola; the limestone cellar walls are flecked with the fossils of ancient sea
creatures. The tour, involving sampling three wines accompanied by cheeses and meats,
lasts two hours and costs 12 lv.
Todoroff Wine Cellars
( 02-850 4666;
www.todoroff-wines.com
)
Just a tiny boutique
winery when opened in 1999, Todoroff Wine Cellars is now among Bulgaria's best.
Located in Brestovitsa, 15km southwest of Plovdiv, it's known for its juicy, red Mavrud.
Vineyard tours may also include traditional cuisine, spa hotel accommodation and grape
picking.
