Wines of Sakar Festival: living traditions and celebration of life

About this tour

This 5-day itinerary offers a deep and immersive experience in one of Bulgaria’s most distinct and storied wine regions – South Sakar. Known for its long, dry summers and granite-rich soils, the region has emerged as a leader in red wine production in Bulgaria. But beyond its viticultural rise, South Sakar also carries the legacy of one of the world’s oldest civilizations – the Thracians – whose culture was inseparable from the rituals of wine. Across the landscape, one still finds cult sanctuaries, tombs, dolmens, and remains of ancient fortresses like Castra Rubra, once part of the historic Via Diagonalis – a Roman road connecting Europe with the Orient.

The Thracians revered wine as sacred – it accompanied every stage of life, from birth to burial. A source of sustenance and symbol of status, wine was both common nourishment and ceremonial offering. Today, this reverence finds expression in the efforts of a new generation of vintners returning to the land. They cultivate both classic and lesser-known varieties with a focus on sustainable and organic practices, taking advantage of the region’s pristine environment – untouched by industrial development due to its former status as a border zone.

The local wineries primarily focus on red grape varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. In recent years, they have also had success with less typical grapes like Marselan, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. White varietals including Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, as well as native grapes like Tamyanka and Pamid, are also grown and vinified with promising results. One of the region’s viticultural landmarks is the Kolarovski vineyard – planted in the 1970s based on the research of Austrian oenologist Prof. Moser, who identified the area as ideal for Merlot. At its peak, it covered over 7000 acres.

This tour invites travelers to experience the wine, history, and culture of South Sakar through curated tastings, visits to archaeological sites, meals with local products, and seasonal celebrations such as the Wines of Sakar Festival.