Villa Melnik in the top 50 world's best vineyards 2020

No, we are not in Bordeaux, nor in Piedmont, and certainly not on the Assmannshäuser Höllenberg. Rather, we are on the Balkan Peninsula, specifically in Bulgaria, where viticulture has an even longer tradition. Especially in the southwest of the country, in the Struma Valley and there in the region around Melnik, grapes thrive for wines of world renown.

Dedicated wineries here are making it their business, especially after the privatization of 1990, to restore the well-deserved fame of this small but fine wine-growing region. A milestone on this path is undoubtedly the fact that Villa Melnik is the first winery in Bulgaria to be included in the select circle of the world's 50 best vineyards (Top 50 World's Best Vineyards 2020).

The awards for the world's best vineyards are organized by the global media company William Reed Business Media. Not only various magazines from the food & beverage sector are gathered under the corporate umbrella. The company is also owner and organizer of the International Wine Challenge (IWC), one of the most important international wine competitions. The Top 50 World's Best Vineyards, on the other hand, is an award that highlights wines, regions and the importance of the winery for wine tourism.

The award-winning producers include 2020 renowned châteaux as well as small, family-run wineries and newcomers. The origin of the award winners also ranges from the prominent sites in Bordeaux, California's Napa Valley and South Africa's Stellenbosch to exotic wine regions in India as well as in Japan.

All this was certainly included in the secret nomination and selection of the 50 best vineyards in the world. A total of 500 professional judges, experts in the fields of wine and wine tourism, were involved. They followed a holistic approach. In addition to the wine itself, the focus was on offers such as guided tours and tastings. Furthermore, the fulfillment of gastronomic standards as well as an evaluation of ambience and hospitality were part of the selection criteria. The profile was rounded off by the reputation of the respective wine producer and an appreciation of the traditions of the place.

Villa Melnik owns about 30 hectares of vineyards. They were planted shortly after the turn of the millennium. The winery itself has existed since 2013. The focus is on autochthonous grape varieties that thrive excellently here in their place of origin. Some of them are even endemic and occur only in this region.

This applies, among others, to the Siroka Melniska variety, or Melnik or Melnik 55 for short, which is named after the town. It, as well as the local crosses Ruen from Melnik and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Melnik Jubilee 1300 from Melnik and Separavi, originally native to Georgia's Alasani Valley, form a focal point at Villa Melnik.

They are joined by international grape varieties ranging from red Cabernet Sauvignon and white Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Finally, with its cuvées of local as well as national grape varieties, Villa Melnik offers even seasoned wine connoisseurs completely new, surprising wine experiences.

The fact that, for the first time, a winery in Bulgaria is among those honored confirms the efforts of the Melnik region in particular to establish itself as a world-class wine tourism destination. One of the driving forces behind this development is certainly the Villa Melnik winery. With its vision of a prosperous wine-growing region and its energetic commitment to the preservation of local traditions and customs, it has already provided numerous valuable impulses.

This includes not only the promotion of the endemic Melnik grape variety and its variants. Villa Melnik also organizes regular local events such as Trifon Zarezan, the Day of Winegrowers, Vintners and Innkeepers, which, like Valentine's Day, falls on February 14. The winery is also responsible for organizing the celebrations of Lazarovden or Lazarus Saturday, which precedes Palm Sunday in the Orthodox churches. Even such curious customs of more recent date as July Morning, a very popular ritual in Bulgaria from the hippie period, makes Villa Melnik an annual event. In addition, private and corporate events, including a variety of workshops. The winery is also heavily involved in the Melnik Wine Routes project.

By the way, Villa Melnik is a leader in the field of wine tourism in the Melnik region. Furthermore, the winery can boast the Tripadvisor certificate Travellers' Choice (formerly Excellence) and extensive representations in various international wine guides. However, Villa Melnik wants to see the award received on 13.07.2020 to the top 50 of the world's best vineyards 2020 in a larger context. After all, the winery says, this award would not have been possible without the partnership cohesion with neighbors, other wineries, as well as the entire hospitality industry of the Melnik region.