Terroir near Plovdiv: University Wine & Artisan Cheeses

Your journey begins at the university vineyards, where over 400 grape varieties are carefully cultivated and preserved. This remarkable genetic collection represents one of the richest varietal repositories in Europe, positioning Bulgaria among the continent’s leaders in grape diversity.

At the center of the vineyards stands the university winery, established in 1969. It is the only experimental micro-vinification cellar in Bulgaria and one of only 28 university wineries in the world. The cellar preserves wines from more than 50 grape varieties, as well as one of the country’s richest collections of aged enothèque wines.

Thirteen meters underground, ideal natural conditions provide the perfect environment for fermentation and ageing. In the above-ground section, you will see the working laboratory where detailed wine analyses are conducted, a modern tasting room with 20 seats overlooking the vineyards and the Rhodope Mountains, and a small museum telling the more than 50-year history of the winery.

The highlight of your visit is a guided tasting of five selected university wines. During the tasting, you will learn about the grape varieties, production technologies, terroir expression, and the scientific research behind each wine.

The gourmet extension of the experience takes you to the home of a local cheesemaker, where you will taste five handcrafted Bulgarian cheeses. This authentic encounter allows you to meet the producer personally and combine academic wine knowledge with traditional Bulgarian flavors.

The tour operates from Monday to Friday. The earliest possible start time for the winery tasting is 8:00 AM, and the latest start time is 2:30 PM. The visit lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, excluding transfers. A minimum of two participants is required. For groups larger than seven guests, a custom request is necessary. Advance reservation and confirmation are required at least one week prior to the selected date.

Pricing (VAT Included)