Melnik overview Melnik is a declared architectural reserve and one of the most famous wine region in Bulgaria. The first to settle in the area were the Thracian tribe Medi (the famous rebel Spartacus belonged to this tribe). The Slavs who came later in these parts, named the settlement Melnik after the sand formations surrounding it on all sides. Melnik became a part of the First Bulgarian Empire under the rule of Khan Presian I (836-852) and prospered greatly in the period. Melnik became the capital of an independent feudal principality ruled by Despot Alexius Slav in 1209 and had an economic and cultural prosperity. The town continued to flourish under Tsar Ivan Assen ІІ because of the duty-free trade with Dubrovnik (ruled by Venetians). In the late 18th century, the town had 1300 houses, seventy churches and a population of some 20, 000 people. Your wine day in Melnik region Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Sofia at 8:30 AM and after a 2 hours and 30 minutes drive through various landscape (highway, mountains, river canyon and valleys). The first stop will be town of Melnik. You will visit one famous house, owned by a very rich family in middle 18th century, who was dealing with wine trade, including export to Venice. You will enjoy some time in the private cellar of the house. Then you will have a little walking in the smallest town in Bulgaria, option to visit the Wine museum. After that you will head to a nearby village - Rojen, where you could have nice lunch and a glass of excellent local wine. Next to the village is a old monastery, which you can visit. The final stop will be one of the good wine cellars of Bulgaria - Villa Melnik. You will have a guided tour in side, by member of the family, that owns the cellar. After wine tasting of their products you will head back to Sofia.