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House of StrumaStruma Valley
9–10 October 2026 · Heraclea Sintica
Two days where Struma Valley wine meets history, local crafts, food and music among the ruins of the ancient city.
The festival
A Taste of Tradition brings Struma Valley winemakers together at one of the region’s most powerful historic settings. Visitors can taste wines, meet the producers and experience the valley through history, crafts, local flavours and music.
The ticket includes a tasting of five wines of your choice from the participating wineries. Additional wine by the glass or bottle and local food will also be available in the festival area.
Latest information
In an interview with Bulgarian National Radio, organiser Nadezhda Tsvetkova stated that 15 wineries are participating in the festival, one more than the previously announced 14. The additional winery has not yet been identified. Visitors can also try a free beehive-air tent experience provided by Pchelen Wellness.
Bulgarian National Radio · 9 October 2026Petrich History Museum has specified two children’s activities: making clay theatrical masks inspired by Dionysus and creating grape-themed artwork with corks and vine leaves, linked to archaeological discoveries at Heraclea Sintica. Prof. Dr Lyudmil Vagalinski will personally lead a special tour of the ancient city, discussing recent discoveries, historic buildings and ancient wine traditions. Dr Atanas Grozdanov will lead rare-bird observation in the protected Kozhuh area, part of Natura 2000.
Bulgarian News Agency · 8 October 2026On 9 October, Antoaneta Kirilova will host the musical programme and a children’s entertainer is also confirmed. On 10 October, biodiversity activities include rare-bird observation with Dr Atanas Grozdanov.
Petrich Municipality · 7 October 2026Free transport to Heraclea Sintica is confirmed from Petrich and Sandanski. On 9 October buses depart at 17:00 from the Historical Museum in Petrich and Sandanski Municipality; on 10 October they depart at 13:30 from the same locations. Return transport is planned for 23:00, although the time may change depending on weather conditions and the programme. Further details for 10 October include a masterclass on the Shiroka Melnishka Loza grape with Nikoleta Dikova, an appearance by VINA series photographer Stefan Vasilev, an art workshop with Stoyan Bozhkilov, and Elizabeth Metodieva as host. A farmers’ market and stalls with handmade goods are also confirmed.
Profit.bg · 1 October 2026WineTours confirms that electronic tickets are sent on the same day after payment by card or bank transfer is received. Electronic tickets are not issued for cash-on-delivery orders. A paper ticket is sent only when purchased with a gift envelope or gift box. The organiser also states that transport to the festival destination from accommodation, towns and villages in the region will be announced soon; routes, times and prices have not yet been published.
WineTours · checked 22 September 2026Further participants have been confirmed for the programme: actress Snezhana Makaveeva is listed for music and atmosphere on both festival days; Prof. Dr Lyudmil Vagalinski will give a lecture on the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica on 10 October; and Dr Atanas Grozdanov will speak about biodiversity.
DiVino · 12 September 2026On 9 October the festival starts at 17:30 with a tasting of five wines of the visitor’s choice from 14 wineries, a guided tour of Heraclea Sintica, a pottery workshop, a wine-aroma game, a screening of two episodes of the TV series VINA and a meeting with actress Eva Danailova. On 10 October the programme starts at 14:00 and includes wine and olive-oil tastings, painting with wine, children’s activities, lectures, an evening concert by Orlin Pavlov and Beloslava, and film music performed by the Stefan Borisov Guitar and Mandolin Orchestra.
DiVino · 12 September 2026Festival Passport
Use one mobile Passport throughout both festival days. Every stall QR code opens the same Passport and selects that winery.
In this version, tastings stay on this device.
Programme
Starts · 17:30
Meet the participating Struma Valley wineries and taste 5 wines of your choice, included in the ticket.
Guided tours of the Ancient City of Heraclea Sintica.
Pottery workshop and a wine-aroma game.
Screening of two episodes of the TV series Vina, filmed in Melnik, followed by a meeting with actress Eva Danailova.
Starts · 14:00
Taste 5 wines of your choice from the participating wineries, with more wine and local food available in the festival area.
Tours of Heraclea Sintica, pottery, taste and aroma games, and painting with wine.
Talks about Struma Valley wine, biodiversity and the ancient city.
Olive oil tasting and a children’s programme.
Concerts by the Stefan Borisov Guitar-Mandolin Orchestra, Orlin Pavlov and Beloslava.
Participating wineries
Only participating wineries with a published House of Struma profile in this language appear here. A translated profile appears automatically as soon as it is published.
01 · Kapatovo
A modern winery in Kapatovo combining contemporary winemaking with estate vineyards and the distinctive indigenous grapes of the Melnik region.
Learn more: Zlaten Rozhen
02 · Logodaj
Logodaj Winery is an award-winning southwestern wine producer founded in 1994 in the scenic Struma River Valley.
Learn more: Logodaj
03 · Smochevo
A family wine estate at the foot of Rila, showing a cooler, high-altitude expression of the Struma wine region through white varieties and Pinot Noir.
Learn more: Bogdaya Vineyard Estate
04 · Kapatovo / Zornitsa
A family agricultural estate near Melnik whose vineyards combine the character of the Struma Valley with a rich selection of Mediterranean and southern European varieties.
Learn more: KAPATOVO Family Estate 1992
05 · Harsovo
A contemporary wine estate in the hills of Harsovo, where old Melnik vineyards meet Mediterranean and Rhône varieties with a strong focus on place and nature.
Learn more: AYA Estate Vineyards
06 · Dolno Spanchevo
A southern Struma Valley winery whose vineyards around Dolno Spanchevo and Harsovo are shaped by warm Aegean influence entering through the Rupel Gorge.
Learn more: Rupel Winery
07 · Kolarovo
A family winery in the Petrich area preserving an exceptionally rich collection of indigenous Melnik varieties in its vineyards near Mitinovo and Starchevo.
Learn more: Orbelia Winery
08 · Gotse Delchev
A boutique winery and wine-spa destination in Gotse Delchev, working with a compact 25-decare estate vineyard in the higher southern part of the Struma wine region.
Learn more: Uva Nestum Wine & SPA
09 · Dolna Gradeshnitsa / Kresna
A young winery in the Kresna area, founded by two families seeking a contemporary expression of wine in one of the Struma Valley's most dramatic landscapes.
Learn more: Villa Daros
10 · Ilindentsi
A family wine project following its green path through the Struma Valley, with a particular interest in indigenous grapes, nature and a clear expression of origin.
Learn more: Via Verde Wines
11 · Hotovo
A wine estate in Hotovo built around the indigenous grapes of the Melnik area and a pursuit of clear varietal, vineyard and terroir expression.
Learn more: Libera Estate
12 · Levunovo
A small family cellar in Levunovo producing wine from just 20 decares of estate vineyards planted with Melnik 1300, Melnik 55 and Merlot.
Learn more: Melnishki Piramidi
13 · Harsovo
Villa Melnik is a family-owned winery rooted in the sun-drenched hills of the Struma Valley, known for expressive wines, native Melnik varieties, and a strong sense of place.
Learn more: Villa Melnik
14 · Levunovo
A small family winery in Levunovo, created by third-generation winegrowers, with around 120 decares of its own vineyards and a strong focus on the local varieties of the Melnik area.
Learn more: Mindov Winery
15 · Damianitza
A historic winery in the village of Damianitza near Sandanski, founded in 1940 and known for premium wines, local grape varieties and the distinctive No Man’s Land, Uniqato and ReDark ranges.
Learn more: DamianitzaParticipant map
The festival brings together wineries from across the Struma Valley. The map uses the same published participant profiles as the list above and shows only wineries with saved coordinates.
Select a marker to view the winery. The map shows only participating published profiles with saved coordinates.
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9–10 October 2026
Tickets are sold through the festival’s official ticket page on WineTours.bg.