site.btaHands & Friends: Family Roots and New Traditions in Balkan Winemaking

BTA will present dozens of Bulgarian wineries in the New BG WINE Leads the Way series ahead of the 9th UN Global Conference on Wine Tourism, which will be hosted in Plovdiv. The forum is organized by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with the UN World Tourism Organization.

Andrey Melnikov and his family make wine in their Hands & Friends winery near the village of Esen, between Karnobat and Sungurlare at the foot of the Balkan Mountains.

The family’s story began far from Bulgaria, in Saint Petersburg. Over a decade ago, Melnikov and his wife decided to seek a new life in Bulgaria. Now, instead of city noise, their days are spent among the rows of about 20 hectares of vineyards planted in 2017. The first harvest was gathered in 2021, and the fifth is expected this year, Melnikov said.

Dry summers in the region reduce yields but produce concentrated, high-quality grapes. The vineyards cultivate several varieties, including white grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Tamyanka, Moschofilero, and Assyrtiko, known for its freshness, mineral character, and high acidity, and originally from Santorini. Red varieties include Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache, a Spanish grape widely grown in France and the broader Mediterranean region.

The winery is small yet fully equipped. “We use only natural intelligence,” Melnikov joked, favouring hands-on methods over advanced technology. Each vine is individually tended, and every barrel is carefully supervised. This approach produces wines with minimal intervention, free from chemical additives, and with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

Their production is primarily dedicated to rose and white wines, all of which are distributed within the Bulgarian market. “Everything we produce sells well, and interest in the brand is growing,” Melnikov shared. He is particularly interested in a 2024 red blend that is currently aging and will be ready in two to three years. Manual labor plays a key role in the Hands & Friends approach, but the involvement of friends is equally crucial. Each September, the winery organizes a lively harvest celebration with numerous guests, wine tastings on a panoramic terrace, and a festive atmosphere that transforms the harvest into a communal tradition. In summer, the winery is open to anyone who wants to taste their wines and experience the scenic Melnikov region.

“We’re not seeking to expand at any cost,” the winemaker added, “it’s more important to offer people a wine that carries our signature: pure, natural and made with love.”