Book a full day wine tour starting from Plovdiv to the Valley of Roses. Not only is this region famous for growing roses and producing high-quality rose oil, it is also the smallest wine region in Bulgaria. Visit two wineries and enjoy a wine tasting while taking in the beautiful views of the Sredna Gora and Balkan mountains. Have an unforgettable day!
What to expect
The Valley of Roses is Bulgaria’s smallest wine region and a region named after its vast rose plantations. Bulgaria is a top producer of high-quality rose oil. This small region is nestled between the Sredna Gora Mountains and the Balkan Mountain Range, which gives it a unique terroir and blesses any visitor with stunning mountainous views.
Spend the day in the Valley of Roses visiting two wineries. Meet the people working hard to produce high quality wines and make their region recognizable for not only rose oil but wines.
The main native grape in this region is Red Misket. A pink-skinned grape that produces floral white wines.
Enjoy a Bulgarian lunch at one of the wineries.
Let your Tour Leader take care of all arrangements and introduce you to the wines of The Valley of Roses.
Inclusions
- Visits to two wineries including a tour of the wineries and a tasting of 5 wines per winery
- Lunch at the winery
- Transportation in comfortable car/8-seater passenger van
- Pick-up & drop-off from/to accommodation
- English-speaking Tour Leader
- VAT & Local Taxes
- Mandatory Insolvency Insurance from Armeec Insurance
Exclusions
- Private transfers
- Meals & Beverages not mentioned in the tour description
- Alcoholic not mentioned in the tour description
- Travel and medical insurance
- Extras and incidentals
- Tips
Where to meet
We pick you up from your hotel, Airbnb or any other landmark location. Please advise at time of booking.
Practical Notes
- Remember to wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. The tour takes place in sunshine or rain.
- Bring your camera along to capture special moments
- Bring some local currency (BGN) for purchases just in case the wineries do not accept card payment
- The minimum number of people per tour is 2. The maximum number of people per tour is 6.
- Transportation is either in comfortable car or 8-seater passenger van (depending on the group size)
- Food allergies or dietary requirements can be accommodated if advised before the tour. Please advise at time of booking.
The Valley of Roses
The Valley of Roses is a region located just south of the Balkan Mountains and just north of the eastern part of the Sredna Gora Mountains. The region is surrounded by mountains, which protects it from extreme temperatures. The region represents 12% of the total vineyard acreage in Bulgaria with 85% of white grape varietals and 15% red grape varietals. Due to the moderate temperatures, the region is known to produce freah and crisp white, rose and fruit-forward red wines from cool climate varietals. Bulgaria is one of the biggest rose-oil producers in the world. Rose growing and rose oil production has been the main trade of the The Valley of Roses region for centuries. Most of the local population credit rose growing and rose oil production as their livelihood. Every year harvest takes place around May or June. The end of the rose harvest is celebrated with rose festivals across the region with the largest festival taking place in the town of Kazanlak on the first week of June.
Grapes
Bulgaria grows both international and native grapes. Interestingly, there are more international grapes planted in Bulgaria than local grapes for historical reasons. The ratio of international to local is roughly 70% to 30% with the plantations of local grapes increasing in recent years.
The Valley of Roses is home to an ancient native white grape varietal called Red Misket. Despite the name, Red Misket is a white grape varietal with pink skins. It is a late harvesting, cool climate grape and represents more than 7% of the total vineyards area in Bulgaria. Misket is not part of the Muscat family, although often blended with Muscat Ottonel.
Red misket wines have clear, pale-straw colour with green hints. When vinified dry, it develops rich floral aromas and hints of yellow and tropical fruits. There are also nuances of rose petals, and violet on the finish. Red misket wines are medium to medium plus in body with exceptional balance and well-integrated acidity.
The Valley of Roses is the main region where this grape can be found. It was even named after the famous rose, Damascena, which is used for oil production.
Cancellation
- Up to 30 days before the tour = 70% refund
- Up to 14 days before the tour = 50% refund
- Less than 14 days before the tour = no refund
- Changing the tour date is possible (according to availability)
- No shows are fully chargeable with no refund
- In the unlikely event that Bulgaria Wine Tours is forced to cancel a tour, you will receive a full refund.
- Please see our general booking terms and conditions for more information
