site.btaStruma Valley Winegrowers to Hold Open Days in February

Marking the Feast Day of vine-growers' patron saint, St Tryphon Zarezan, wineries located along the Struma River valley (southwestern Bulgaria) will open their doors to visitors on February 17 and 18. For many years, the Open Days were traditional for the wineries in Melnik, but during the grape harvest in September the wineries in the area united for the first time, synchronizing their dates for the Open Days, Maria Stoykova from the Zlaten Rozhen (Golden Rozhen) winery told BTA.

During the Оpen Days, each winery offers visitors’ access, free wine tasting and a programme of cultural events, usually folklore ones, Stoykova explained. As part of the festive programme, each winery holds a water blessing ceremony and vine pruning, she added.

In addition to wine tasting, guests can also taste a variety of food products from local producers.

The shared mission of the winegrowers in the region is to promote high quality wine of local and international varieties and wine tourism opportunities in the region.

The "Open Days in the Struma Valley" Facebook event has been created for the convenience of visitors to the region. It includes a map of wine routes in Melnik.