8-Hour Veliko Tarnovo Wine Tour with 2 Wineries and 10 Tastings

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Visit two local wineries in the Veliko Tarnovo region
• 02 Taste 10 local wines across two winery visits
• 03 Learn about the history and revival of Bulgarian wine
• 04 Discover local grape varieties from the Danube Plain
• 05 Meet the passionate locals shaping a new future for Bulgarian wine

Spend the day exploring two wineries in Veliko Tarnovo, the City of Tsars, and tasting local wines from this emerging winemaking region. Discover local grape varieties, learn about the history of Bulgarian wine, and follow the winemaking process from grapes to bottle. Meet the passionate people behind the revival of Bulgarian wine and enjoy an authentic experience in the Danube Plain.

Spend the day exploring two wineries in Veliko Tarnovo, the City of Tsars, and tasting local wines from this emerging winemaking region.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Veliko Tarnovo

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Veliko Tarnovo Wineries and Bulgarian Wine Tasting

• Get picked up by your Veliko Tarnovo driver-guide in a minivan and learn about the region and Bulgarian wine as you head to your destination.
• See, feel, and taste the revival of Bulgaria's wine industry after more than 40 years of collectivized winemaking during socialism.
• Go behind the scenes at two local wineries and follow the winemaking process from grapes to bottle.
• Taste five local wines at each winery, for a total of 10 wines. Depending on what the wineries have in their cellars, you may taste white, rose, or red wines during your visit.
• Learn about the history of Bulgarian wine, the re-emergence of native grape varieties, and the hidden stories of the wineries.
• Meet the passionate locals who are reviving Bulgarian wine and trying to shape a new future.
• Enjoy an authentic Bulgarian lunch.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Visits to two wineries, including a winery tour and a tasting of 5 wines per winery (10 wines total)
• Transportation in a minivan
• Pick-up and drop-off from/to accommodation
• English-speaking Veliko Tarnovo tour leader
• VAT and local taxes

What's Not Included

• Meals and beverages not mentioned in the tour description
• Traditional lunch
• Drinks not mentioned in the tour description
• Travel and medical insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses

Know before you go

• Wineries: The wine region immediately surrounding Veliko Tarnovo is called the Danube Plain, a northern wine-growing region. Compared to the Thracian Valley, the Danube region is often underestimated, yet it has strong winemaking traditions dating back to before the Communist regime. There are new and up-and-coming wineries in the Veliko Tarnovo region to visit, making your experience feel off the beaten path.
• The wines you taste may not be easy to find in your home country, most likely because these wineries do not have a strong presence in foreign markets. You will also have the chance to buy wine directly from the cellar at cellar prices to enjoy when you return home.
• Grapes: Until the 1960s, wines in Bulgaria were made from local grape varieties, including Mavrud, Guzma, and Broad Melnik vine, which have survived to this day. Later, viticulture was zoned, existing vineyards were changed, and French varieties were planted on a large scale, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. At a time when Italians and Americans overtook the French and secured an indisputable place on the global wine map,

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Tour start

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.